Zefiberyl Translations
joined Apr 11, 2011
Personally I prefer to make mine by the glass (around 2.5 cups). Just brew in one container and pour through a strainer into your drinking up.
My personal favorites, by type and region:
Japanese green: Gyokuro, Genmaicha, Tamaryokucha
Chinese green: Lung Jing, Foucha, Gan Lu
Chinese black: Keemun Hao-ya "A", Dian Hong (aka "Yuunan Gold"), Bai Lin Jin Zhen, Bohea, Rose Kongou (Lapsang is just fine, very interesting, but not something I'd want to have all that regularly. Same goes for Pu-erh.)
Oolong: Tie Guan Yin, Fo Shou, Mao Xie
White: Bai Mu Dan, Bai Hao Yin Zhen, Shou Mei (Note: Although Yin Zhen is the higher quality, I think I actually prefer Bai Mu Dan's earthier, more robust flavor.)
I'm actually disinclined toward Indian black tea varietals. They're fine, and FTGFOP grades are certainly impressive in their quality, but I find them less interesting than Chinese blacks. (Although having a good lower-grade Assam on hand is desirable for my hand-made Masala Chai.) I am partial towards "white Darjeeling", but it tends to be very expensive for what it is.
Let me stop here before this turns into a tea blog.