The Legendary Yellow Tin Oolong

This is the legendary yellow tin oolong. Produced by Xiamen tea import & export co under the Sea Dyke brand.  This tinned tea had been around for more than 50 years. 

This 125g oolong is high roasted. it is aromatic and has a pleasant aftertaste. Take a sip in your mouth and breathe out through your nose. The tea aroma would linger for sometime after you had drank the tea. Good for 5 infusions. 

This is not even a top shelf tea but I consider this a legendary tea.  Chinese migrants who had migrated from China to South East Asia many years ago, looking for better prospects, were usually poor with only their shirts on their backs. When these migrants (a big number from Fujian, China) settled down in these countries, buying and drinking this tea (when this tea was introduced in the late 60s) was a nostalgic moment and an emotional connection back to their hometown roots. 

Today, this Lao Chung Shui Hsien yellow tin oolong, is still produced and made available all over the world. I enjoy this tea very much. An inexpensive tea, a high roasted tea, strong taste and aroma. I cannot ask for anything more. I am happy. A legend.  

2012 Haiwan Shen San Lao Shu

 

Chinese tea drinkers today are spoilt for choice when buying tea. They can go to a physical tea shop or buy from online shops.  These online shops operate from around the world; China, USA, Europe, Japan and South East Asia.  Not sure of what to buy?  Go online and visit blogs and the various social media sites like Youtube or Instagram  and you can see many reviews on tea. Some of these sites might even give you detailed pricing by price per gram of tea or even give you a list of tea you can buy with $100 - $500.

The most popular pu erh brands are Taetea and Xiaguan.  These brands are well known and these tea factories produce a wide selection of tea every year for the tea market.  For the western tea drinker, he or she is in a way 'limited' to tea that are available for their purchase.  Let me explain.  There are a lots of tea that are not covered by social media or made easily to the western buyer. They are not aware or are unable to have access to buy these lesser known tea. 

Lesser known tea are not less popular or inferior tea. Many of these tea have a huge loyal following among the Chinese tea drinkers in China and South East Asia.  6 famous mountains, Chang Tai and Xinghai tea factories are few examples.  

Haiwan tea factory produces this famous Shen San Lao Shu. This tea has a very big following within China and South East Asia.  This tea is strong, lightly smoky with a long sweet complicated aftertaste.  Yes, it is impossible to try or buy every tea but I want point out that there are many good tea out there that would interest you and give you a good bang for your buck.  Try to made a trip to China or South East Asia and visit the tea shops there. It will be an eye opener for you. I promise.