I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
all types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh –
green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
longest one.

Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
certifications.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Oleg

hmm, never heard of storing food and clothes on the same shelf, but whatever
makes your monkey jump. I wouldn't worry all that much man. Pu has such
a.. er.. robust taste that it would take a lot to contaminate it. If your
clothes are all smelly though then that might do it.


"oleg shteynbuk" > wrote in message
...
> I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
> get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
> to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
> all types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
> place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
> it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh –
> green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
> can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
> wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
> shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
> longest one.
>
> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
> just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
> conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
> certifications.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Oleg

I wouldn't worry about the mix and match. Make sure the vendor puts in
packing material so the contents don't joust against each other.
Substitute paper bags for plastic. I go with SAL from China which is
30 days to me in the US. I would also recommend no more than 2 kilo
per carton. A vendor last week recommended Air which would be 15-20
days. He is expecting 40 day with SAL because it is nearly Spring
festival in China. The cost of air v surface v sal is more or less
incremental. In fact this vendor was only asking for $2 more for Air.
My storage is cool,dry,dark. I have to stick my nose next to the
wrapper for aroma.

Jim

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
> get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
> to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
> all types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
> place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
> it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
> green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
> can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
> wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
> shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
> longest one.
>
> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
> just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
> conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
> certifications.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Oleg

Jim,

Thanks, I got quote from vendor that SAL is about 4 weeks to arrive and
Surface is about 8 weeks to arrive to NY and and no mention of Air and
if it is only $2 more I would take it.

Oleg


Space Cowboy wrote:
> I wouldn't worry about the mix and match. Make sure the vendor puts in
> packing material so the contents don't joust against each other.
> Substitute paper bags for plastic. I go with SAL from China which is
> 30 days to me in the US. I would also recommend no more than 2 kilo
> per carton. A vendor last week recommended Air which would be 15-20
> days. He is expecting 40 day with SAL because it is nearly Spring
> festival in China. The cost of air v surface v sal is more or less
> incremental. In fact this vendor was only asking for $2 more for Air.
> My storage is cool,dry,dark. I have to stick my nose next to the
> wrapper for aroma.
>
> Jim
>
> oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>
>>I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
>>get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
>>to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
>>all types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
>>place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
>>it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
>>green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
>>can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
>>wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
>>shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
>>longest one.
>>
>>Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
>>just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
>>apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
>>as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
>>currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
>>conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
>>certifications.
>>
>>Thanks for any suggestions,
>>
>>Oleg
>
>

Shipping is always a added charge. You won't know how much shipping
costs till you get the first parcel and see the actual shipping charge.
Sometimes part of the shipping cost is buried in the selling price.
Heretofore all my shipping is from the interior Kunming and all the
vendors charge actual shipping cost of about $12/kilo/SAL. In this
case this is a new vendor with shipping from Shanghai. Since it is a
major shipping port I think that is the reason the added cost of AIR
versus SAL is so cheap. Or maybe hidden shipping cost but anyway I'll
pay for the AIR. SAL or SURFACE from China is a function of catching
the slow boat from China if it is in port or possibly dry dock. I had
one SAL from Kunming in 20 days and one late as 40. You should be able
to get a quote for AIR. They take the parcel to China Post, check the
appropriate shipping method and pay the cost. When I discover I am
paying actual shipping cost then I have various single kilo parcels
spaced out over time in the pipeline.

Jim

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> Jim,
>
> Thanks, I got quote from vendor that SAL is about 4 weeks to arrive and
> Surface is about 8 weeks to arrive to NY and and no mention of Air and
> if it is only $2 more I would take it.
>
> Oleg
>
>
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > I wouldn't worry about the mix and match. Make sure the vendor puts in
> > packing material so the contents don't joust against each other.
> > Substitute paper bags for plastic. I go with SAL from China which is
> > 30 days to me in the US. I would also recommend no more than 2 kilo
> > per carton. A vendor last week recommended Air which would be 15-20
> > days. He is expecting 40 day with SAL because it is nearly Spring
> > festival in China. The cost of air v surface v sal is more or less
> > incremental. In fact this vendor was only asking for $2 more for Air.
> > My storage is cool,dry,dark. I have to stick my nose next to the
> > wrapper for aroma.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> >
> >>I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
> >>get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
> >>to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
> >>all types, not all brands

I was planning on getting around 3kg, but you mention that it is better
to keep under 2 kq; what is the main reason for this like in case the
package lost - not such a big damage, or condition of packaging? I can
make it into two packages.

Also shipping cost is probably based on the total package weight not on
the tea weight as it mention on the vendor website, how much could the
packaging take - probably no more than 25% so if i want to pay shipping
cost under 2 kg tea weight should be 1.5 and for under 3 kg maybe 2.25 kg ?

Thanks,

Oleg



Space Cowboy wrote:
> Shipping is always a added charge. You won't know how much shipping
> costs till you get the first parcel and see the actual shipping charge.
> Sometimes part of the shipping cost is buried in the selling price.
> Heretofore all my shipping is from the interior Kunming and all the
> vendors charge actual shipping cost of about $12/kilo/SAL. In this
> case this is a new vendor with shipping from Shanghai. Since it is a
> major shipping port I think that is the reason the added cost of AIR
> versus SAL is so cheap. Or maybe hidden shipping cost but anyway I'll
> pay for the AIR. SAL or SURFACE from China is a function of catching
> the slow boat from China if it is in port or possibly dry dock. I had
> one SAL from Kunming in 20 days and one late as 40. You should be able
> to get a quote for AIR. They take the parcel to China Post, check the
> appropriate shipping method and pay the cost. When I discover I am
> paying actual shipping cost then I have various single kilo parcels
> spaced out over time in the pipeline.
>
> Jim
>
> oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>
>>Jim,
>>
>>Thanks, I got quote from vendor that SAL is about 4 weeks to arrive and
>>Surface is about 8 weeks to arrive to NY and and no mention of Air and
>>if it is only $2 more I would take it.
>>
>>Oleg
>>
>>
>>Space Cowboy wrote:
>>
>>>I wouldn't worry about the mix and match. Make sure the vendor puts in
>>>packing material so the contents don't joust against each other.
>>>Substitute paper bags for plastic. I go with SAL from China which is
>>>30 days to me in the US. I would also recommend no more than 2 kilo
>>>per carton. A vendor last week recommended Air which would be 15-20
>>>days. He is expecting 40 day with SAL because it is nearly Spring
>>>festival in China. The cost of air v surface v sal is more or less
>>>incremental. In fact this vendor was only asking for $2 more for Air.
>>>My storage is cool,dry,dark. I have to stick my nose next to the
>>>wrapper for aroma.
>>>
>>>Jim
>>>
>>>oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
>>>>get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
>>>>to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
>>>>all types, not all brands
>
>

A one kilo shipment seems to be the threshold where you are charged
actual shipping cost versus purchase price shipping adjustments. I
like spacing out a kilo shipment because it allows to me to catch up
with contents before the next one. I'd rather receive mutliple single
kilo shipments over time versus all at once. The other thing I like
about a kilo box it fits on my shelving. The box also becomes my
storage bin. It is a standard size used by various vendors. You pay
for the gross weight of the parcel. I think there would be less
additional packaging material total in smaller boxing than one big one
but I think the difference isn't enough to worry about. The total
surface area of multiple smaller versus larger would be the same. For
an approximation the tea weight will be 1kg and gross weight 1.2kg.
The packaging will take a beating and I think customs is more
interested in larger parcels than smaller. All my early larger 1kg+
parcels seemed to have been opened and riffed. I think eventually your
address is put in a customs database and subsequent shipments are
cleared in transit.

Jim

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> I was planning on getting around 3kg, but you mention that it is better
> to keep under 2 kq; what is the main reason for this like in case the
> package lost - not such a big damage, or condition of packaging? I can
> make it into two packages.
>
> Also shipping cost is probably based on the total package weight not on
> the tea weight as it mention on the vendor website, how much could the
> packaging take - probably no more than 25% so if i want to pay shipping
> cost under 2 kg tea weight should be 1.5 and for under 3 kg maybe 2.25 kg ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Oleg
>
>
>
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > Shipping is always a added charge. You won't know how much shipping
> > costs till you get the first parcel and see the actual shipping charge.
> > Sometimes part of the shipping cost is buried in the selling price.
....I delete me and you...

Hi Oleg,

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
> get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
> to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
> all types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
> place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
> it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
> green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
> can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
> wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
> shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
> longest one.

Mixing multiple types of puerh in one box for shipping is not a
problem.

Wrapping the puerh in plastic during shipping is not a problem either
as long as the tea is thoroughly dry. Allowing the tea to breath is an
aging requirement and the tea will not age enough during shipment to be
of any concern. I would however recommend leaving the bags open so
moisture is not trapped inside of the baggies as I have seen very fresh
and still somewhat moist bricks mold when shipping in a sealed plastic
bag. I have asked one of my vendors to use baggies in order to prevent
damage to the wrappers but I asked him to punch several holes in the
baggies first. In Hong Kong and Taiwan they often shrink wrap the cakes
using a perforated shrink wrap which still allows the tea to breath but
prevents damage to the delicate paper wrappers.

Shipping rates are dramatically cheaper when shipping by Surface versus
using other methods. Here are some examples based on a 3kg package via
China Post from Kunming to the USA..
AIR: $54.64
SAL: $33.25
SURFACE: $19.78
So Surface is 40% cheaper than SAL, and 64% cheaper than AIR.


> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
> just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
> conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
> certifications.

Keeping you long term stash in your closet is acceptable as long as
your cloths dont have any odor to them, like fabric softeners etc.
Contamination from strange odors is one of the largest problems
encountered when trying to age puerh in the average American Home. The
worst place to keep your stash is in your kitchen, which all too often
is where people tend keep their tea.

I strongly suspect that the tea they chopped up and used as currency a
couple thousand years ago is not the connoisseur grade tea that we
strive for today.

Mike
www.pu-erh.net
(recently upgraded)

Mike, thanks, I actually use www.pu-erh.net as my main pu-erh reference.

Detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaners they all have some sort of
smell that you don't want in tea. Is it OK to keep puerh on the open
book shelf as long as there is no direct sunlight maybe in carton
package; or better to put into chest of drawers and each type of pu-erh
into separate drawer?

Oleg


Mike Petro wrote:
> Hi Oleg,
>
> oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>
>>I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
>>get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
>>to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
>>all types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
>>place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
>>it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
>>green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
>>can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
>>wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
>>shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
>>longest one.
>
>
> Mixing multiple types of puerh in one box for shipping is not a
> problem.
>
> Wrapping the puerh in plastic during shipping is not a problem either
> as long as the tea is thoroughly dry. Allowing the tea to breath is an
> aging requirement and the tea will not age enough during shipment to be
> of any concern. I would however recommend leaving the bags open so
> moisture is not trapped inside of the baggies as I have seen very fresh
> and still somewhat moist bricks mold when shipping in a sealed plastic
> bag. I have asked one of my vendors to use baggies in order to prevent
> damage to the wrappers but I asked him to punch several holes in the
> baggies first. In Hong Kong and Taiwan they often shrink wrap the cakes
> using a perforated shrink wrap which still allows the tea to breath but
> prevents damage to the delicate paper wrappers.
>
> Shipping rates are dramatically cheaper when shipping by Surface versus
> using other methods. Here are some examples based on a 3kg package via
> China Post from Kunming to the USA..
> AIR: $54.64
> SAL: $33.25
> SURFACE: $19.78
> So Surface is 40% cheaper than SAL, and 64% cheaper than AIR.
>
>
>
>>Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
>>just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
>>apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
>>as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
>>currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
>>conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
>>certifications.
>
>
> Keeping you long term stash in your closet is acceptable as long as
> your cloths dont have any odor to them, like fabric softeners etc.
> Contamination from strange odors is one of the largest problems
> encountered when trying to age puerh in the average American Home. The
> worst place to keep your stash is in your kitchen, which all too often
> is where people tend keep their tea.
>
> I strongly suspect that the tea they chopped up and used as currency a
> couple thousand years ago is not the connoisseur grade tea that we
> strive for today.
>
> Mike
> www.pu-erh.net
> (recently upgraded)
>

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> Mike, thanks, I actually use www.pu-erh.net as my main pu-erh reference.
>
> Detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaners they all have some sort of
> smell that you don't want in tea. Is it OK to keep puerh on the open
> book shelf as long as there is no direct sunlight maybe in carton
> package; or better to put into chest of drawers and each type of pu-erh
> into separate drawer?
>
> Oleg

An open bookshelf would be fine in a room wiothout strange odors. For
example no cigarette smoke, no pungent cooking fumes, so strong air
fresheners etc. Yes, do protect from sunlight.

I use a filing cabinet, an old (odor free) Foot Locker, some wooden
cabinets in my Den, etc. One friend of mine uses a wicker laundry
basket stuck in the corner of a spare bedroom. Really you dont have to
get very particular about it. Just avoid strong oders, sunlight, and
make sure it can get some air. Usually if the climate is comforatable
enough for humans it will be fine for Puerh.

Mike
www.pu-erh.net

I have a place available near subwoofer that can fit the requirements;
hopefully low frequency will help aging Read some time ago about
experiments with different type of music on crop growing. Will report
results to the group in 20 years, if anything will be left, not sure if
I can just look at puerh and smell it for 20 years and not to chip away
some small pieces once in a several months to test the progress,
hopefully it is ok and will not ruin cakes ecosystem.

Thanks,

Oleg


Mike Petro wrote:
> oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>
>>Mike, thanks, I actually use www.pu-erh.net as my main pu-erh reference.
>>
>>Detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaners they all have some sort of
>>smell that you don't want in tea. Is it OK to keep puerh on the open
>>book shelf as long as there is no direct sunlight maybe in carton
>>package; or better to put into chest of drawers and each type of pu-erh
>>into separate drawer?
>>
>>Oleg
>
>
> An open bookshelf would be fine in a room wiothout strange odors. For
> example no cigarette smoke, no pungent cooking fumes, so strong air
> fresheners etc. Yes, do protect from sunlight.
>
> I use a filing cabinet, an old (odor free) Foot Locker, some wooden
> cabinets in my Den, etc. One friend of mine uses a wicker laundry
> basket stuck in the corner of a spare bedroom. Really you dont have to
> get very particular about it. Just avoid strong oders, sunlight, and
> make sure it can get some air. Usually if the climate is comforatable
> enough for humans it will be fine for Puerh.
>
> Mike
> www.pu-erh.net
>

On Wed, 04 Jan 2006 04:53:39 +0000, oleg shteynbuk wrote:

> I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
> get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer to
> order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even all
> types, not all brands Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free place and
> the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is it a good
> idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh green, black,
> loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he can wrap them
> them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so wrapping in
> plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of shipping doesn't
> matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the longest one.
>
> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can just
> put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different conditions
> but then there were no pollution and no need for organic certifications.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Oleg

What I did is this:

I went to the local home improvement / gardening store and got some of
those red clay 14 inch stubby flower pots - the short ones, not the
regular ones - with the corresponding size dish underneath - except the
dish goes on top in my case. This was in the middle of the hot summer,
when they have lots of inventory there, but also what I did was I gave the
flower pots a good washing with some non-toxic health-food-store-type
dishwashing detergent - unscented, or very nearly close to it - and then
I set them out into the hot sun to dry thoroughly for a day or two. I also
inspected them closely before I bought them to make sure they weren't
moldy or smelled bad or left over from last year, etc...

Then, I went to the local fabric store, and picked out some nice patterns
in 100% cotton - 2 yards - the normal width works perfectly for the 14
inch flower pots. I washed the fabric in fragrance-free laundry detergent
and then line dried it.

Then I fold the fabric over in half, the long way - I bought 2 yards, I
make that effectively 1 yard now - I put the 14 inch pot in the middle,
bring the two cut ends and the one folded end together where they don't
quite reach, put the dish on top, and then fold the other two ends over to
cover up the dish.

I tried this just as an experiment, but the 14 inch stubby flower pot and
two yards of cloth seem to be made for one another. I figure that as long
as the flower pots are fresh inventory and haven't been sitting around and
molding, and if the cloth is 100% cotton, it's a winning combination. It's
a good size for beeng chas, and I put the tuo chas on the bottom. But
there are probably lots of ways to arrange the tea.

Overall, the cost was around $8 for the pot and dish, and the fabric that
depends on how nice you want it, but under $10 shouldn't be a problem on
that either. I'm happy with it. If you get nice fabric and keep it
folded neatly you can put it on your bookshelf or whatever and it doesn't
look all that bad.