I just purchased from Specialteas my idea of a good bulk buy of
loose-leaf Chinese green tea: 2 lbs. 533 Lung Ching plus $4.95 s/h
for $40.35, or $1.26 per oz. delivered.

It isn't their best Dragon Well, since it includes other than the
buds, but the lot I had before was nice. 2 lbs. should last a long
time, so I hope it comes in the re-sealable pouches as before.

Now, if I could figure out how to get the coupons that are evidently
out there, I would like Specialteas even more.

bookburn

On Mar 21, 4:54*am, wrote:
> I just purchased from Specialteas my idea of a good bulk buy of
> loose-leaf Chinese green tea: *2 lbs. 533 Lung Ching plus $4.95 s/h
> for $40.35, or $1.26 per oz. delivered.
>
> It isn't their best Dragon Well, since it includes other than the
> buds, but the lot I had before was nice. *2 lbs. should last a long
> time, so I hope it comes in the re-sealable pouches as before.
>
> Now, if I could figure out how to get the coupons that are evidently
> out there, I would like Specialteas even more.
>
> bookburn

Buying lot of green tea is unadvisable, mostly because the tea itself
will deteriorate over the time.

Also, this post looks like an awkward advertisement.

Tomas
tuochatea.blogspot.com

On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:30:46 -0700 (PDT), Balt >
wrote:

>On Mar 21, 4:54*am, wrote:
>> I just purchased from Specialteas my idea of a good bulk buy of
>> loose-leaf Chinese green tea: *2 lbs. 533 Lung Ching plus $4.95 s/h
>> for $40.35, or $1.26 per oz. delivered.
>>
>> It isn't their best Dragon Well, since it includes other than the
>> buds, but the lot I had before was nice. *2 lbs. should last a long
>> time, so I hope it comes in the re-sealable pouches as before.
>>
>> Now, if I could figure out how to get the coupons that are evidently
>> out there, I would like Specialteas even more.
>>
>> bookburn
>
>Buying lot of green tea is unadvisable, mostly because the tea itself
>will deteriorate over the time.
>
>Also, this post looks like an awkward advertisement.
>
>Tomas
>tuochatea.blogspot.com

All right, Tomas, what have you to suggest instead of what I
"advertise"? My guess is that you are biased against buying "lot of
green tea," but is 2 lbs. really a lot? If it's as palatable as I
expect, it'll be gone in a year. Ordering less more often does
increase shipping and handling cost, you know. bookburn

On Mar 22, 7:49*am, wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:30:46 -0700 (PDT), Balt >
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> >On Mar 21, 4:54*am, wrote:
> >> I just purchased from Specialteas my idea of a good bulk buy of
> >> loose-leaf Chinese green tea: *2 lbs. 533 Lung Ching plus $4.95 s/h
> >> for $40.35, or $1.26 per oz. delivered.
>
> >> It isn't their best Dragon Well, since it includes other than the
> >> buds, but the lot I had before was nice. *2 lbs. should last a long
> >> time, so I hope it comes in the re-sealable pouches as before.
>
> >> Now, if I could figure out how to get the coupons that are evidently
> >> out there, I would like Specialteas even more.
>
> >> bookburn
>
> >Buying lot of green tea is unadvisable, mostly because the tea itself
> >will deteriorate over the time.
>
> >Also, this post looks like an awkward advertisement.
>
> >Tomas
> >tuochatea.blogspot.com
>
> All right, Tomas, what have you to suggest instead of what I
> "advertise"? *My guess is that you are biased against buying "lot of
> green tea," but is 2 lbs. really a lot? *If it's as palatable as I
> expect, it'll be gone in a year. *Ordering less more often does
> increase shipping and handling cost, you know. *bookburn- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Upton suggests buying no more than three months worth at a time. For
greens and most blacks, I think that's about right, especially since I
overestimate the amount I need. Toci (In my cup, a second
steeping of my favorite Ceylon. Too weak; a failed experiment.
Potable enough to finish anyway.) Toci

>> Buying lot of green tea is unadvisable, mostly because the tea itself
>> will deteriorate over the time.
>> Also, this post looks like an awkward advertisement.
>> Tomas tuochatea.blogspot.com

> All right, Tomas, what have you to suggest instead of what I "advertise"?
> My guess is that you are biased against buying "lot of green tea," but is
> 2 lbs. really a lot? If it's as palatable as I expect, it'll be gone in
> a year. Ordering less more often does increase shipping and handling
> cost, you know. bookburn


Bookburn, I drink Chinese and Japanese green tea in the spring. Usually, I do not have any left by the middle of summer. After several weeks, I note that the freshness I like so much in a green tea is mostly gone. That's my experience. Two pounds is a tremendous amount of tea, for me and I suspect for most of us. Buying that much green tea at a time would be foolish for me, although, if you can't taste the difference between that tea when you first open it and that tea a year later, no harm done.
Michael

On Mar 22, 6:13 pm, Michael Plant > wrote:
Bookburn, I drink Chinese and Japanese green tea in the spring.
Usually, I do not have any left by the middle of summer. After several
weeks, I note that the freshness I like so much in a green tea is
mostly gone. That's my experience. Two pounds is a tremendous amount
of tea, for me and I suspect for most of us. Buying that much green
tea at a time would be foolish for me, although, if you can't taste
the difference between that tea when you first open it and that tea a
year later, no harm done.
Michael


I'm a little late to the party but I'd have to fully agree with
Michael. I do my damndest to run through greens/yellows in less than 3
months except for a few greens which hold up well (BLC, Jasmine
pearls, and bancha) and with those somewhere between 6 months and a
year.

I tend to buy my greens in either 2 or 4 oz. lots depending on the
tea. I generally order double that (4-8oz.) though because half stay
home and half go to work. Anything more than 8oz is generally too much
even if it is a tea both myself and my fiance drink. That being said I
have some Dragonwell which has been extremely well stored in airtight
containers which is about a year old right now and still good. However
I broke it up into ~2 oz. packs so that the majority stays sealed with
only one open at a time.

2 lbs. is too much even at a deal. All it will mean is using way more
leaf than needed to use it up artificially. My suggestion would be to
package a pound of it up and give it as gifts to friends while it is
still good and enjoy the other pound. That's just me though.

- Dominic

I bought half pound green ,1pound yunnan gold tips
its now >6months later and ... i still have half of each left
its because in the mean time i got some other teas
or didnt have time to sit and enjoy them
also they're in big boxes sort of in the back of the cabinet
- harder to reach for :P
now the green tastes ..."flat", less flavorful
its ok, but it doesnt feel "fresh" anymore.
the yunnan blacks are ok, but same, they lost their "pungency"
so next time i'm just going to get less and finish it.

Hi, Bookburn. Sometimes (well, often) I grow too enthusiastic and buy
too much tea of the sort that can loose its better qualities over
time. I always regret doing so. There are a few green teas I actually
prefer aged for a year. One notable example is Yang Yan Gou Qing. A
couple of my friends like aged green tea, too. But they are careful
to store it tightly sealed, and they refrigerate the tea. But most
green teas do not like to be aged. If you have the ability to store
green tea in glass jars under very heavy vacuum and keep the tea dark
and cool, it might be okay. Sencha can be frozen if you let it thaw
completely before opening it, and if you drink the thawed tea right
away--within a day or so. I note that Special Teas does not provide
harvest dates for its green tea selections. Other vendors do. Best--
grasshopper

On Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:13:47 -0400, Michael Plant
> wrote:

>
>>> Buying lot of green tea is unadvisable, mostly because the tea itself
>>> will deteriorate over the time.
>>> Also, this post looks like an awkward advertisement.
>>> Tomas tuochatea.blogspot.com
>
>> All right, Tomas, what have you to suggest instead of what I "advertise"?
>> My guess is that you are biased against buying "lot of green tea," but is
>> 2 lbs. really a lot? If it's as palatable as I expect, it'll be gone in
>> a year. Ordering less more often does increase shipping and handling
>> cost, you know. bookburn
>
>
>Bookburn, I drink Chinese and Japanese green tea in the spring. Usually, I do not have any left by the middle of summer. After several weeks, I note that the freshness I like so much in a green tea is mostly gone. That's my experience. Two pounds is a tremendous amount of tea, for me and I suspect for most of us. Buying that much green tea at a time would be foolish for me, although, if you can't taste the difference between that tea when you first open it and that tea a year later, no harm done.
>Michael

I hope to enjoy the freshness of spring green tea, also. In the
autumn and winter, I will still have the green tea, alas, not as fresh
but still enjoyable, I hope. If I use more leaves in a brew to
improve taste as they age, my supply will be gone sooner, so I have
that to be philosophical about as I drink green tea this time next
near. What goes around, comes around. bookburn

On Mar 22, 1:49*pm, wrote:
> All right, Tomas, what have you to suggest instead of what I
> "advertise"? *My guess is that you are biased against buying "lot of
> green tea," but is 2 lbs. really a lot? *If it's as palatable as I
> expect, it'll be gone in a year. *Ordering less more often does
> increase shipping and handling cost, you know. *bookburn

It may be a philisophical question, but instead of huge quantities of
one tea I prefer buying smaller amounts of various teas. My taste
changes as time passes by...

Tomas

On Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:52:28 -0700 (PDT), Balt >
wrote:

>On Mar 22, 1:49*pm, wrote:
>> All right, Tomas, what have you to suggest instead of what I
>> "advertise"? *My guess is that you are biased against buying "lot of
>> green tea," but is 2 lbs. really a lot? *If it's as palatable as I
>> expect, it'll be gone in a year. *Ordering less more often does
>> increase shipping and handling cost, you know. *bookburn
>
>It may be a philisophical question, but instead of huge quantities of
>one tea I prefer buying smaller amounts of various teas. My taste
>changes as time passes by...
>
>Tomas

Perhaps I could consider adding a flavor if the bulk goes stale. I
see lemon, chocolate, and vanilla mentioned. There is an organic
sugar substitute called "tastes like sugar" that's made from lemon
rind, I think. But I don't want to use sugar or milk.

At least, having a surplus of green tea will prompt me to clean out
all the older teas I have around. bb

On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:54:21 -0800, wrote:

>I just purchased from Specialteas my idea of a good bulk buy of
>loose-leaf Chinese green tea: 2 lbs. 533 Lung Ching plus $4.95 s/h
>for $40.35, or $1.26 per oz. delivered.
>
>It isn't their best Dragon Well, since it includes other than the
>buds, but the lot I had before was nice. 2 lbs. should last a long
>time, so I hope it comes in the re-sealable pouches as before.
>
>Now, if I could figure out how to get the coupons that are evidently
>out there, I would like Specialteas even more.
>
>bookburn

I just received shipment of the 2 lbs. of Lung Ching and have this to
report, in case someone is considering a similar investment.

1. The loose leaf bulk amount came in a single foil package, not the
4 oz. re-sealable pouches sent with my last order for 1 lb..

2. I immediately re-packaged the lot into freezer bags with double
seals and put it into the vegetable drawer of my refrigerator, but it
looked rather dry and without much aroma.

3. Comparing a sample of this shipment with one received the first of
November, more than four months ago, I conclude that:
a. either the lot I got was handled improperly, or
b. it's not a spring harvest but remains of last years supply.

4. I'm referring the problem of freshness back to Specialteas to see
if they will accept a return.

So it looks like I got blind-sided on my "idea of a good investment"
in terms of the product received that may be somebody else's good idea
of wholesale house-cleaning. The only good things about the purchase
a
a. they did complete the sale in a timely manner, and
b. they sent me a complimentary sample of 1/2 oz. puttabong
FTGFOP1, first flush (no. 105), called a black tea, which is exotic
stuff to my palate. bookburn

On Mar 25, 1:02 am, wrote:
> So it looks like I got blind-sided on my "idea of a good investment"
> in terms of the product received that may be somebody else's good idea
> of wholesale house-cleaning. The only good things about the purchase
> a
> a. they did complete the sale in a timely manner, and
> b. they sent me a complimentary sample of 1/2 oz. puttabong
> FTGFOP1, first flush (no. 105), called a black tea, which is exotic
> stuff to my palate. bookburn

That's that old saying about things being too good to be true. I think
we've all been overtaken by greed at some point in our tea careers,
learn from the $40 lesson and go forward. Most lessons cost much more.
Honestly, they provided you with what you ordered at a fair price I
don't know if I'd come down too hard trying to return it now. Best of
luck.

- Dominic

On Mon, 24 Mar 2008 21:02:29 -0800, wrote:

>On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:54:21 -0800, wrote:
>
>>I just purchased from Specialteas my idea of a good bulk buy of
>>loose-leaf Chinese green tea: 2 lbs. 533 Lung Ching plus $4.95 s/h
>>for $40.35, or $1.26 per oz. delivered.
>>
>>It isn't their best Dragon Well, since it includes other than the
>>buds, but the lot I had before was nice. 2 lbs. should last a long
>>time, so I hope it comes in the re-sealable pouches as before.
>>
>>Now, if I could figure out how to get the coupons that are evidently
>>out there, I would like Specialteas even more.
>>
>>bookburn
>
>I just received shipment of the 2 lbs. of Lung Ching and have this to
>report, in case someone is considering a similar investment.
>
>1. The loose leaf bulk amount came in a single foil package, not the
>4 oz. re-sealable pouches sent with my last order for 1 lb..
>
>2. I immediately re-packaged the lot into freezer bags with double
>seals and put it into the vegetable drawer of my refrigerator, but it
>looked rather dry and without much aroma.
>
>3. Comparing a sample of this shipment with one received the first of
>November, more than four months ago, I conclude that:
> a. either the lot I got was handled improperly, or
> b. it's not a spring harvest but remains of last years supply.
>
>4. I'm referring the problem of freshness back to Specialteas to see
>if they will accept a return.
>
>So it looks like I got blind-sided on my "idea of a good investment"
>in terms of the product received that may be somebody else's good idea
>of wholesale house-cleaning. The only good things about the purchase
>a
> a. they did complete the sale in a timely manner, and
> b. they sent me a complimentary sample of 1/2 oz. puttabong
>FTGFOP1, first flush (no. 105), called a black tea, which is exotic
>stuff to my palate. bookburn

I just got an e-mail back about my reported problem with the freshness
of 2 lbs. of lung ching I ordered from Specialteas. They have a
liberal return policy and are returning the amount charged to my
credit card. Here's a part of it, which I show to keep the record
straight about this company's reputation.

(quote)
The tea you received in your initial order in January was the
same batch as near as I can tell as what you received in March. We
have had no quality control issues that I am aware of with this tea.
Although, I checked for you, and have found out that a new batch
should be in late April or early May. If you give us a call or e-mail
at that time we can confirm if it is that new shipment in stock and
perhaps you would be happy with this new batch.

If I can be of any further assistance, please let me
know.
(unquote)

Evidently, I could have requested the delivery in 4 oz. resealable
pouches, instead of the one 2 lb. bag.

So I had to pay for return freight but appreciate their
consideration--and information--in the matter. bookburn