NWR: Online Tea Merchant Recommendations

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Yule Kim

Yule Kim
I was wondering if anyone could recommend an online tea merchant?

I am basically looking for an online merchant that offers a wide variety of single-estate darjeelings, maybe some pur-erh and Yunnan teas as well, and, most importantly, are reputable, reliable, and have responsive customer service.

Thanks.
 
Aside from Upton I also like the Darjeeling selection at TeaGschwendner. Are you a first flush or a second flush drinker? It's usually second flush for me and I like the Phuguri 2nd Flush from TeaGschwendner very much.

They also sell a very nice reasonably priced Darjeeling styled tea from Nepal - the Nepal FTGFOP Sunderpani Second Flush. Not up there with the top Darjeelings but excellent value.
 
Thank you for the recommendations everyone!

I am probably more of a second flush guy, but I'm definitely interested in trying first flush, which is part of the reason why I'm looking for an online merchant.

Basically, the local stores in DC usually only have one estate on offer, and usually it is the estate's second flush. Finding first flush in a store is a little tricky.

Right now I'm drinking some Avongrove Second Flush, which I'm enjoying quite a bit. The slight sweetness on the finish is quite nice, but I would definitely like to the explore the more delicate expressions of darjeeling found in first flush teas.

Phuguri 2nd flush sounds up my alley. I will definitely have to try it. The Sunderpani as well.

Any other estates you can recommend? Any quality first flush teas for the neophyte?
 
originally posted by Yule Kim:
Thank you for the recommendations everyone!

I am probably more of a second flush guy, but I'm definitely interested in trying first flush, which is part of the reason why I'm looking for an online merchant.

Basically, the local stores in DC usually only have one estate on offer, and usually it is the estate's second flush. Finding first flush in a store is a little tricky.

Right now I'm drinking some Avongrove Second Flush, which I'm enjoying quite a bit. The slight sweetness on the finish is quite nice, but I would definitely like to the explore the more delicate expressions of darjeeling found in first flush teas.

Phuguri 2nd flush sounds up my alley. I will definitely have to try it. The Sunderpani as well.

Any other estates you can recommend? Any quality first flush estates for the neophyte?
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One of the nice things about Upton is that they sell sampler packs of small bags of several estates in either first or second flush. That was what originally convinced me that I really prefer second - while the delicate aroma of the first flush is very nice I get a faint grassiness on the palate which is less appealing to me so I never progressed beyond that.

We really need Yixin on this thread.
 
Well, everyone simply looves Upton, so I'll add some others that might not get mentions: Harney & Sons in Lakeville CT and Simpson&Vail, also in CT.
 
I know nothing about Darjeeling - don't drink them often enough. And sadly, same for Pu-er, since prices are crazy now.

My friends in CA buy from Tenren, which has less fancy marketing but some good basic teas.
 
originally posted by Marc Hanes:
Lyle RecommendationLyle recommended this place to me for tea but I have not had the chance yet to explore...

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www.rishi-tea.com
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these are available at whole foods
 
originally posted by Gregg G:
My friend started this company, but I don't know jack about tea.

inpursuitoftea.com
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Really? I like this stuff.
 
I have a friend who drinks a killer white jasmine. Wine lovers would dig it. But it's not sold in the United States. He buys it in Vancouver or when he visits China.
 
originally posted by SteveTimko:
I have a friend who drinks a killer white jasmine. Wine lovers would dig it. But it's not sold in the United States. He buys it in Vancouver or when he visits China.
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I bet in Vancouver its brought by Two Hills which is supposed to be good as well. We see it in Bellingham, WA.
 
...Pu-er, since prices are crazy now.
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Why is pu-erh expensive? For a tea buried in the earth like kimchee it shouldn't cost as much as ones that are more delicately processed like Tung-Ting Oolong.
 
originally posted by MarkS:
...Pu-er, since prices are crazy now.
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Why is pu-erh expensive? For a tea buried in the earth like kimchee it shouldn't cost as much as ones that are more delicately processed like Tung-Ting Oolong.
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One can get good oolong cheaply, while good pu-er (i.e. with some age) is getting rarer and more expensive.

Even the most 'delicate' processes are pretty rough, especially in export quantities. Everyone puts on a show for the visiting dignitary, but I usually see industrialised processes now. Same thing with soy sauce, fish sauce, etc.

As in wine, the only people getting rich in the tea trade are the schnooks.
 
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