Spoiler Alert: Mystery Group Buy, Slack Exclusive'ish * Answers Posted 6/29

For months and months I browsed taobao, aliexpress, and ebay for tea. These interesting sessions came up with some crazy finds, many of which were shared in Slack (a place where us Steepsters peeps chat online) because they provided laughs or amusement. Over time I started to save some items in a folder for future reference and then someone told me that a mystery buy would be awesome… well, it so happens that I could do just that with what I was building as the ultimate online random goodie bag!

I gave Slack users first dibs and then a few Instagram people that responded within 10 minutes of my post before deleting it. This buy went out as $20 + shipping and I ensured everyone it would be fun. While everything is different in price, end result was roughly 140g + ziplock bags + bubble wrap + shipping for $24 each

Spoiler alert!!!
The buy includes the following:
A bag that with three different shou listed by numbers 1,2, and 3. These different cakes are from a fake 2015 Golden Needle White Lotus (from Aliexpress), 2010 GNWL from Berryleb, and a 2007 GNWL from mxtea (taobao and cerfified Dayi). Also in that same bag are two samples marked A and C. One is a fake LBZ cake from Aliexpress and the other is from the 2010 American Hao LBZ 200g from puerhshop.com
(B was a Lao E Man from King Tea mixed with LBZ, but it was replaced with the Yunomi offering)

The next bag is the fun bag… this where I included ALL kinds of crazy goodies. I’ll just kind of throw some of it out there: a bag from 93’, furry stuff, a white n brown ball, a white square, a purple circle, a green circle, some cake by Mr. Dan Cong, kudding picked out by James, some of the dark balls, and then some of the light ball.

Then I also put a black bag of Kaneroku Matsumoto smoked black tea in as Oolong Owl requested in a way… this is a unique black tea from Japan that was smoked using wood from whiskey barrels.

I’m hoping that those who participate will include thoughts on tea A, C, 1, 2, and 3 so they can be compared. I will release which is which come July 1st. Also, I really hope the other bag has questions as I am not identifying what the teas are  oh how this shall be interesting.

As of 5/12/16 not all of the 17 slots have been claimed and only 10 have been paid for… so it is likely I might have one of these guys laying around if anyone wants to play an interesting drinking game :p

51 Replies

Bwahaha,Kuding! Well done James :þ

t-ching said

You’re welcome in advance everyone :P

I will say this: It is not your typical stuff, hopefully someone will post a picture and you’ll see :)

oh no Dx the bitter nail

AllanK said

Do you know if this is the caffeinated type of kuding or the caffeine free type? The type with caffeine is more common I think.

I actually have no idea. It’s not specified by the seller as well; I didn’t even know there was caffeinated kuding, thought it was all herbal but I never looked into it. Did you look at it yet?

AllanK said

It depends which plant the kuding comes from. I know the one I bought recently from Yunnan Sourcing is the caffeinated variety. I don’t think you can tell by looking at it. Basically the one from the Holly Tree is caffeinated. The one from the wax tree species is caffeine free. It’s in Wikipedia.

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How much would it be to ship to me? The comparisons sound interesting….

I honestly don’t know… it could $7 to $13

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So… I’m one of the 17 people participating and I must say: That caked dancong gonfu brewed for 30 seconds is quite welcoming,if that makes sense. Nice mixture of taste going. Makes me question why oolong cakes are not as frequently seen.

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Matu said

That Japanese smoked black tea smells like a campfire with bbq pork going on it. Not sure how I feel about that haha

You feel compelled to brew it and find out what it taste like

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As odd as this sounds… I keep my Ebay credit card in my car in case of emergencies and only use it online for shipping labels via paypal. Well, my car was broken into and that card is not working for a bit so anyone who paid Saturday to now will have to wait another week :(
I’m sorry, I’ll be as quick as I can once this issue is cleared since it was used during the time it was stolen till’ now.
Never mind, I transferred funds from my bank account to paypal so I can just pay usps with paypal funds. The rest is shipping today.

elena-z said

That sucks!

It’s all good, I have ways around it!

Sorry that this happened. What a hassle!

nishnek said

No worries, shit happens, just sucks when it happens to you! Hope the rest of your day was looking better and looking forward to seeing a teallow on my door step soon, :D!

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AllanK said

Mine arrived today, thanks. Some of the packages are unlabeled?

Well… part of the mystery is the mystery :)
I will post that A,C,1,2, and 3 are come July.
If you have any questions about the other package, which I call the mystery party bag, let me know and I will help you out :)
Currently they haven’t all shipped out as I am awaiting a few more payments, but once it all goes out I’ll start dropping more information as questions and pictures come about.

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Just drank some of the Japanese smoked black tea: I suggest using 90c/190f to allow the underneath flavors the ability to be somewhat detected. It’s quite a unique tea, looking at getting more of Kaneroku Matsumto’s teas because this is something to share with others for sure.

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So the party bag, as I call it, with all the random things included a fuding cake which actually is much better than what I had expected it to be. Probably something I’ll buy more of because I’m enjoying this herb to honey infusion instead of a hay like liquid I expected. 90c for 30 seconds, yummy https://www.instagram.com/p/BFtaZGARYGW/

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Holy Sh!t
Take that 1993 Toucha teabag and gongfu it for 10 seconds and drink 3 steeps at a time. This is some really solid stuff; so much so I’m looking at buying 100 bags to share and drink.
edit take that bag, don’t open it, drop that 90c water on it and pour after 10 seconds. Enjoy. I’ve drank 10 steeps of this at 10 seconds each, no need to go up in time for me.

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David Bess said

Drinking the Golden Orb with brown markings tonight. Oxidation flavor and Agave/Honey aromas with a slight twiggy-ness. I’m thinking it’s a White tea.

It’s also soo smooooooth.

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