Green tea and oolong come from the same plant. Here is what changes after picking, and what it means for your cup: water temperature, refills, caffeine per 8 oz and how long each stays fresh, with a side by side brewing chart.
The best tea gifts for Christmas are matched to the person and your budget per head: a $2.99 packet for stockings, the $24.99 Discovery Trio for colleagues and hosts, and a $66.66 AI matched box for the tea lover. Plan one order over $99 to ship free, and order by December 10.
The best Chinese tea gift box for a tea lover matches the tea they already drink, names every tea by type and origin, and includes a brewing card. Match by taste, check what is inside, pick a budget tier and order about two weeks ahead.
The best first Chinese tea is the one closest to what you already drink. Answer three quick questions, use the mug numbers for green, oolong and black, or run a 20 minute tasting flight to find your cup.
Mingqian Longjing is picked before about April 5 and tastes sweeter and silkier. Yuqian is picked from April 5 to 20 and tastes fuller and nuttier for less money. Here is how to tell them apart in the cup and on the plate, and how to brew each one.
Five checks tell real West Lake Longjing from fake: pressed flat leaves, a soft yellowish green color, chestnut aroma, a clear pale cup in the brew test, and a label whose harvest claims match its price.
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