Dominic T. wrote:

>
> *whew* thank goodness... you're a tough one to please I feel like
> I'm turning in homework when I respond to you... I gotta make sure I
> flesh out my thoughts with detail and examples and footnotes I'll
> turn in the bibliography tomorrow if that is OK.
>
> I had just kind of thought most people have tried Gyokuro at least and
> had some frame of reference. The higher you go in quality there is
> almost less and less to it up front in taste and that makes it hard to
> describe for me. Also, if I had some in front of me right now I can
> describe it much easier... I actually am good at describing what I feel
> and taste while I'm at it... but to recall from years ago (the last I
> really was into the high end Gyokuro) is a bit tough.
>
> The bird's tongue I have is very small very pale green leaves that
> truly look like little bird tongues (almost little spade shapes that
> roll inward like a tongue). The taste is not of Gyokuro for sure... it
> is just a nice alternative which is what I was trying to say. It has
> more to do with the pale color of the leaves I think mentally for me
> and the nice sweet subtle flavor.
>
> I never use the word "buttery" when describing tea, but I see many that
> do. I can see how it relates and as far as astrigency goes I think that
> is the main difference between quality of Gyokuro. The mid-lower grades
> tend to be moreso, and just a bit more flavor and that is what makes
> them *less* desirable to me.
>
> This thread has forced me to now want some even though I have strict
> rules where I keep myself to one purchase of Gyokuro a year when it is
> freshest... so out my Visa card goes. I'm going to try Itoen, O-cha,
> and hibiki-an. I have never tried a few of their offerings so I'm going
> to... it'll be a Christmas present to myself... although I promised to
> not buy any more tea until we work through a lot of what we have. Dog
> house, here I come!
>
> - Dominic

So does this whole thread mean that the "Xihu has no good Longjing"
rule applies to Uji? There are lots of tea stores in Uji, some looking
impressively old. Am I buying the crap?

I think for all green teas one rule is constant -- the better the
grade, the less immediate impact it makes (but the long lasting the
aroma is).

MarshalN
http://www.xanga.com/MarshalN