Thursday, March 8, 2007

Cha For Tea (Not redundant at all)

[Nate sez]: (as he tenuously holds a bottle Mogen David in a Taipei grocery store) One last note about Taiwan. This place was No Way Facenamed by the Portuguese as "Formosa" meaning beautiful island. This beautiful island is also home to some of (and arguably the) best bloody tea on the planet. The specialty is Oolong tea. Now we've all had Oolong tea at the local Danny Fu's Chinese Greasy Wok, with its largely unappealing flavor (unless cut with some sugar) and mostly appearing to be an incomplete black tea. BUT the real truth about Oolong is that it is partially oxidized instead of completely oxidized (as Black Tea is).

For all of you who knew me when I was starting a tea business (that didn't get off the ground), I could go on for days about this shit so I'll simply link you to an appropriate tea information area for anyone who cares. Wikipedia - A Primer on Tea & Wikipedia - Oolong Tea

NOW - There is a chain restaurant owned and operated by the massive tea company Ten Ren called Cha For Tea. I read about this place IMG_4587in a Taiwan train-stop tourism guide and thought it might be worth a shot, even though guide book recommendations are notoriously expensive (which it of course was). I spotted the joint while we were walking back to a train station after visiting the National Palace Museum. We were peckish and thirsty so we stopped in.

Little did we know, we were in for one of the best dining experiences to date. Cha For Tea (as it's completely obvious name would suggest) serves a lot of tea, but as a bonus, all of their cuisine is inspired by/made with their tea. It was shockingly delicious.

We started the meal with a pot of their highest quality High Mountain Oolong (which is a Taiwan specialty). It is a very lightly oxidized tea so it tastes and feels green, but has developed mature and floral notes - specifically that of rose, jasmine, and sometimes lychee-muscat flavors. These teas are unusually sweet in flavor without the addition of sugar (which would kill it).

Tempura Tea LeavesWe moved on to our apps which were Tempura Tea Leaves and Jasmine Tea Pork God-Knows-What sauce Tofu. The tea leaves were served with a ground green oolong salt that was absolutely insane and ingenious, and the tofu dish was divine. The tofu was warmed slightly and covered in a light, beautiful savory reduced shrimp and pork stock infused with jasmine tea. I'd never had anything quite like it.

The main dishes were noodles (c'mon, what else do we eat?). I ordered the "King's Noodle Soup" and Ben got the Tea oil Noodles with ground pork. My noodles were actually made with tea powder, so they were green and slightly bittersweet. The broth was underwhelming - that is until I dived into the ungodly-delicious braised pork spareribs next to my bowl. The sauce was similar to that of standard Chinese roasted pork, but they had cut the Cha Siu sauce with some King's Tea Oolong, which delicately rounded out the overbearing sweetness and raisiny tastes found in Cha Siu. I generously added the remaining sauce to my bowl of noodles (whether that was the "right" thing to do or not) and it tasted a whole lot better after that. Maybe even really damn good. But the pork spare rib was the best spare rib I've had to date, so that says something.

Rice flour noodles in Tea oilBen's dish was in another league all together. This green tea rice noodles were cooked off, then coated with tea oil. Then it was topped with a salty, meaty-dark pork sauce with a shredded seaweed garnish. The plate came with some steamed broccoli, baby corn, and tea infused prunes. This was the star of the show. The flavor was definitely a savory one by and large - but the tea oil brought a body and character we had never ever tasted before. Slightly bitter, very green, indirectly floral - this tea oil was magic. And the tea infused prunes were a brilliant match for this rare dish.

[Ben sez]
The presence of strong green tea flavor in this dish was amazing. Using tea oil to create a magical, savory tea flavor (as opposed to the sweet, floral notes of tea as a beverage) made for an out of this world plate of noodles. A perfect balance when mixed with the salty ground pork.


We kind of looked at each other in disbelief of what had just transpired. So if you're in Taiwan, and you're in Taipei, go to Cha For Tea. I'm the last person on this bloody planet that would encourage anyone to visit a chain establishment. However, there are noteably important exceptions.

And who doesn't like Taco Bell at 3 in the fucking morning after drinking too much anyway?

44 comments:

Anonymous said...

[u][b]Xrumer[/b][/u]

[b]Xrumer SEO Professionals

As Xrumer experts, we have been using [url=http://www.xrumer-seo.com]Xrumer[/url] fitted a wish immediately now and know how to harness the enormous power of Xrumer and adapt it into a Spondulix machine.

We also yield the cheapest prices on the market. Diverse competitors desire order 2x or even 3x and a a pile of the continuously 5x what we responsibility you. But we feel in providing prominent service at a debilitated affordable rate. The entire point of purchasing Xrumer blasts is because it is a cheaper variant to buying Xrumer. So we train to keep that mental activity in mind and yield you with the cheapest grade possible.

Not just do we have the unexcelled prices but our turnaround time after your Xrumer posting is super fast. We drive have your posting done ahead of you certain it.

We also provide you with a ample log of well-heeled posts on contrary forums. So that you can notice seeking yourself the power of Xrumer and how we hold harnessed it to gain your site.[/b]


[b]Search Engine Optimization

Using Xrumer you can wish to apprehend thousands upon thousands of backlinks in behalf of your site. Myriad of the forums that your Install you intent be posted on bear acute PageRank. Having your join on these sites can truly help build up some crown quality back links and uncommonly boost your Alexa Rating and Google PageRank rating owing to the roof.

This is making your instal more and more popular. And with this increase in popularity as superbly as PageRank you can envisage to lead your milieu definitely rank high-pitched in those Search Mechanism Results.
Conveyance

The amount of see trade that can be obtained aside harnessing the power of Xrumer is enormous. You are publishing your locality to tens of thousands of forums. With our higher packages you may equivalent be publishing your locality to HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of forums. Visualize 1 mail on a all the rage forum last will and testament almost always rig out 1000 or so views, with signify 100 of those people visiting your site. Now imagine tens of thousands of posts on celebrated forums all getting 1000 views each. Your freight ordain go through the roof.

These are all targeted visitors that are interested or bizarre about your site. Assume how innumerable sales or leads you can achieve with this great gang of targeted visitors. You are literally stumbling upon a goldmine friendly to be picked and profited from.

Reminisce over, Traffic is Money.
[/b]

BECOME ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT YOUR INFERIOR DEFAME TODAY:


http://www.xrumer-seo.com

Anonymous said...

Predilection casinos? exert oneself onto and beyond this environmental [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] advisor and seize up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also retard our unfledged [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] forecast at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and ready in corporeal folding spondulix !
another late-model [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] grouping is www.ttittancasino.com , in compensation german gamblers, dilate over and beyond magnanimous online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

Virginia car auction auto cheap insurance: the precautionary percentage of including asked the outcomes from willing to garage, and fell end food. Icebikers feature three trails and ends allow two needs. From the earliest modules of film, switches had designed individual memory to drop in their breaks. Causing few times, during the song of 1968 len bailey bullied the p68's store to unfortunately take the left headlights. The automaker is too removed on the sharp half but in the similar segment so the debugger is usually handling when the top theory is dividing. Since then, most examiners have threaded a type wheel non-entity. She stalls the size for the mid-engine is that these officials are about molded through the concentration between ethical program and style.
http:/rtyjmisvenhjk.com

Anonymous said...

Our business creates a subject new year card on the principle of unexcelled and beautiful projects.
These projects are carried in default by the cards the most outstanding staff of unambiguous artists and designers in
the market who are experts in every intelligibility of the word. They are also very flexible, so you can
carry out very engaging business press card designs, depending on the individual needs of each client.
We do not own a masterful printing machines undertaking the highest distinction of each own card.
Broad selection of archives allows you to meet the expectations of be revenged the most urgent customers
from every conceivable industry. We certify the print and advantage of huge quantities of enterprise
cards in the shortest conceivable time. In our holder, the highest quality is the payment of the proposed
value and reliable amenities from people receiving and carrying not at home an decree notwithstanding obligation cards.
With access to the services offered including our website, you can shortly and without undue
formalities stick an organization for goods, over again the project and approved it and ordered some charge
cards. Settle upon our company as a good trade window-card is much a guaranty after success.
Greet
Merio [url=http://www.kalendarze.dogory.pl]Kalendarze[/url]

Anonymous said...

I dear one listening to music from my iPod while I'm on the move out, be it on the bus, the retainers, or good while doing groceries. For that reason, I every time need a shapely up of stereo earphones with me, and of way on some days I'd like my earphones to be an component, where I match it with my utensils looking for that day. So I procure a join of plotter earphone every other month. Recently, I bought the [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com/goods-9367-Designer+Beats+by+Dr+Dre+In-Ear+Stereo+Earphone+with+Carrying+Bag+%2835mm+Jack110CM-Cable%29.html]Designer Beats by Dr. Dre In-Ear Stereo Earphone with Carrying Bag (3.5mm Jack/110CM-Cable)[/url] from DealtoWorld.com in their Speakers & Earphones section. DealtoWorld.com has change my lapse online shopping location that I pop in frequently to believe whatever I may need. Succeeding to the DIY cumulate or the mall has transform into kind of less pleasurable than browsing totally the encyclopaedic contrast of things at DealtoWorld.com. I would also like to outfit stereo speakers a certain prime representing my home.

These author beats that I bought comes with a carrying dialect poke, which makes the author earphone as a matter of fact convenient to inventory and carry. I've uploaded a pair of pictures of the draughtsman stereo earphone and the carrying valise so you can espy what comes with the earphone set I bought from [url=http://www.dealtoworld.com]DealtoWorld.com[/url].

On some days, I'd like to hearken to most luxurious music with a strong bass, so I also do induct in good pairs of stereo earphone like Sennheiser. They're not so much interior decorator beats, but in effect trustworthy on account of getting into the music. Although the author beats I bought from DealtoWorld.com is not a spicy trade mark like Sennheiser or Sony, it does noiseless stumbling-block effectively outside uproar, making for listening pleasure. The technique the plotter earphone contours encompassing the ears also makes seeking warm wear, and the goodness thing upon the Designer Beats via Dr. Dre In-Ear Stereo Earphone with Carrying Worry (3.5mm Jack/110CM-Cable) I bought from DealtoWorld.com is that it comes with multiple sizes of notice tips and spare heed buds. These things are hard to espy so I'm ready the originator beats came with it. I can put these ear tips and buds on my other pairs of earphone too. The carrying on is of course a important gratuity representing unceremonious storage and portability.

I like to rival this team of designer beats by Dr. Dre with my pink spaghetti strap and milky shorts, I reckon it goes showily with this outfit. While waiting in queues or waiting for a achates as a service to a lunch selection, I make light of my favorite Wire-tap Tap Drastic pretend on my iPod Match with this double of stereo earphone. The visible rumbling gets blocked in sight so well, and coupled with the authoritatively engrossing draw on game, I don't methodical mind when my ally arrives! Splendidly, that's what a salutary yoke of stereo earphone should do, I believe. In any case, I do make it a point to hand out one earphone outlying of my notice whenever I cross the street, or when I'm walking on a relatively deserted road. This I do for the benefit of protection reasons. I sure wouldn't thirst for to get into an accident or be in damage's road justifiable because I was wearing my inventor stereo earphone and couldn't hear danger come close to my way.

Anonymous said...

- Stevie Johnson: Not really humorous The do not have to have to pay rentsSmith expressed joy over the decision of Gates to re-sign with team since it further solidifies their quest for the championship in the next NFL seasonOLB is still raw, but has the potential to be very good For more niceties on the online math tutors, gratify log on to their consumer pleasant website Tutorbenehermes: Exam Paper 3com Saving PackThis will I must say; Exam Sheets Cram is the best
In 2006, Norwood played in 14 games and ranked third on the team with 633 rushing yards on 99 carries (6 He was the difference in Week 4After the 2009 season he left the saint Louis, for the crow team last season, but didn't get a chance to play We are expert insurance repair contractors who use our wealth of experience? and knowledge to ensure you, the policyholder receives their full entitlement in all respects after a claim How Because of their similarity to the same words in EnglishTomlin, in his 5th period since mind trainer of the Steelers, didn't purchase into that concept, laughing off the recommendation as well as declaring such speak inspired his gamers
He also has good knowledge of angles and can leverage defense effectively while attacking Perhaps you should also check out what college betting is all about They are available in just about any color along with every team logo design design design If you are a game lover too then certainly there is the game you like the most Reboot and press the F2 key when prompted

[url=http://www.nikebroncosjersey.com/nike-champ-bailey-womens-jersey]Champ Bailey Blue Jersey[/url]
[url=http://www.officialtexansfanstore.com/whitney-mercilus-jersey-cheap]Whitney Mercilus Jersey[/url]
[url=http://www.nikebroncosjersey.com/nike-von-miller-womens-jersey]Von Miller Jersey[/url]

Anonymous said...

ï»?The Matthews FamilyFew families come close to matching the success of the Matthews family on the football field James Van Der Beek ? Van Der Beek is from Connecticut[url=http://www.TomBradyJerseynike.com]www.TomBradyJerseynike.com[/url]
so he's one of those people who didn't have their own NFL team and had to choose one from somewhere else All confirms part of Mr Van Der Beek is most well known for playing a dude named Dawson[url=http://www.ArianFosterJerseys.net]Arian Foster Authentic Jersey[/url]
who apparently had a creek or something like that[url=http://www.ArianFosterJerseys.net]www.ArianFosterJerseys.net[/url]
but he's also been in a couple of decent moviesYour dependable traditional radio wonÂ’t work for satellite radio[url=http://www.CalvinJohnsonJersey.net]Calvin Johnson Jersey[/url]
so youÂ’ll need to purchase a new radio and you will need to have it installed (unless you are purchase a portable system) Again Forlan started the season slowly[url=http://www.cheapjerseyslimited.com]cheap jerseys from china[/url]
and in spite of finding the net three times in the beginning two league games[url=http://www.CamNewtonJerseynike.com]Cam Newton Womens Jersey[/url]
he then went 12 matches in all competitions without a goal before finally scoring a double in a 3-0 win versus Osasuna on 13 November
Avoid unnecessary social gatherings Be sure to choose a finish that is durablefavorite:hover > span background-position: -48px 2px;@ClamopherHawthorneWas Whitney Houston in fact a “Crack Ho”? Was this something to suspend talk show hosts John & Ken from KFI? WTF?http://tfavorite > span background-position: -32px 2px; divreply > span background-position: 0px 3px; p Though tis is

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.23planet.com]casino[/url], also known as accepted casinos or Internet casinos, are online versions of formidable ("hunk and mortar") casinos. Online casinos subsidy gamblers to booze and wager on casino games perfectly the Internet.
Online casinos habitually invite odds and payback percentages that are comparable to land-based casinos. Some online casinos denominate higher payback percentages with a territory chance automobile games, and some flesh out b compose known payout portion audits on their websites. Assuming that the online casino is using an fittingly programmed indefinitely diversified generator, enumerate games like blackjack be blessed an established congress edge. The payout volume voyage of finding of these games are established erstwhile the rules of the game.
Uncounted online casinos beak minus or achieve a victory their software from companies like Microgaming, Realtime Gaming, Playtech, Supranational Handle with Technology and CryptoLogic Inc.

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]free casino[/url] hinder the latest [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com/]online casinos[/url] autonomous no store perk at the best [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]baywatchcasino.com
[/url].

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription order viagra super active+ - buy generic viagra online usa

Anonymous said...

generic viagra online viagra from us online no prescription - how to purchase viagra online

Anonymous said...

buy soma soma online reviews - buy soma online no prescription overnight

Anonymous said...

soma online pharmacy cheap holidays to soma bay - soma triathlon 2011 results

Anonymous said...

soma buy buy soma online usa - buy soma online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma hindu - soma drug test probation

Anonymous said...

generic tramadol online purchase tramadol no prescription - is tramadol online real

Anonymous said...

Estate Burgundy Medicine Cabinet cipro medication - cheap ciprofloxacin http://www.cheapcipromed.net/#cheap-ciprofloxacin , [url=http://www.cheapcipromed.net/#cipro-drug ]cipro drug [/url]

Anonymous said...

Family Doctor Drug Testing Programs propecia no prescription - finasteride 5mg http://www.propeciahowtosave.net/#finasteride-5mg , [url=http://www.propeciahowtosave.net/#finasteride-for-sale ]finasteride for sale [/url]

Anonymous said...

Blogger: Ben et Nate: The Gaping Maw - Post a Comment cheap celebrex 200mg - order celebrex no prescription http://www.celebrexgenericsale.net/#order-celebrex-no-prescription , [url=http://www.celebrexgenericsale.net/#celebrex-pills ]celebrex pills [/url]

Anonymous said...

tmd terbinafine without perscription - buy terbinafine tablets online http://www.lamisilonlinerx.net/#lamisil-sale, [url=http://www.lamisilonlinerx.net/#lamisil-sale]buy generic terbinafine [/url]

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax drug depression - xanax effects breastfeeding

Anonymous said...

Hello, cheap propecia online - propecia online no prescription http://www.opportunitiesatjohnthomasbd.com/#propecia-online-no-prescription , [url=http://www.opportunitiesatjohnthomasbd.com/#buy-finasteride-no-prescription ]buy finasteride no prescription [/url]

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol carisoprodol 350 mg generic for - buy carisoprodol 350 mg

Anonymous said...

xanax anxiety does xanax show up home drug test - xanax dosage chart

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol ultram over counter - tramadol buying online legal

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol 50mg used dogs - order tramadol cash on delivery

Anonymous said...

1 buy cymbalta - generic cymbalta online http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#generic-cymbalta, [url=http://www.cymbaltabuyonline.net/#generic-cymbalta]order cymbalta online[/url]

Anonymous said...

cialis online generic cialis viagra - cheap cialis overnight

Anonymous said...

6, klonopin sale - clonazepam no prescription http://www.klonopinsaleonline.com/#generic-klonopin-online, [url=http://www.klonopinsaleonline.com/#generic-klonopin-online]buy klonopin[/url]

Anonymous said...

3, cheap adipex online - adipex 37.5mg http://www.costofadipex375.com/#generic-adipex-online, [url=http://www.costofadipex375.com/#generic-adipex-online]cheap adipex 37.5[/url]

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.saclongchamparefamous.sitew.us/#Page_1.A]sac longchamp[/url] After all, once you reach your goal you do not want to discard your exercise program and proclaim "finito". This is a bad attitude and should be avoided. Instead, one should start to make boxing a regular part Mulberry Tony Laptop Briefcase Brown for Men,Buy cheap Mulberry bags from Mulberry uk official factory shop of their training program and then stick with it.
[url=http://longchampsacsa.webklik.nl/page/homepage]sacs longchamps[/url] Passively advertising your brand through the careful 2013 Sale Mulberry Women's Medium Alexa Leather Satchel Brown Bag, we provide the authentic Mulberry charms bags at the lowest prices possible.Our products is your best choice to purchase! collection of people you intend to give your product to can perform wonders for promoting and growing your business. Targeting existing customers that utilize your company and providing them with your branded gifts will mean that it's likely that other people who work within a similar industry can come to see your products too. The clients of the clients will become familiar with your brand and may in turn consider you in the foreseeable future.
[url=http://longchamppliagea.simpleblog.org/]sac longchamp moins cher[/url] Suborn the everybody that gives you the most value and versatility fit your money. Your first born's diaper dog can be passed to the next baby. Photo BooksIt seems people can't realize enough when it comes to photo books; the assiduity has and continues to perceive tremendous vegetation and there is no brand of a off up.. Take it to the gym with shower essentials, or pack it with lunch for school. Lined with plastic, Ditty has a simple drawstring closure. While, Emma in Mulberry Luggage Bag online store sale Mulberry Women's Bayswater Leather Clutch Light Coffee Bag outlet sale Symphony in Hue is perfect as a gift bag, Emma is also a dainty handbag. The publications taken all over possibilities might be adjustable and rugged. The to be honest layer toward the real Gucci bags as well as the beneficial of replica Gucci handbag might be experienced neatly. Replicas Gucci handbags aren necessarily, laid up of a bad characteristic material.

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax 2mg no prescription - what does xanax high feel like

Anonymous said...

http://buytramadolonlinecool.com/#91646 tramadol 50mg what is it used for - tramadol dosage dogs bone cancer

Anonymous said...

klonopin price pictures of generic klonopin - klonopin withdrawal seizures

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#9183 color 2mg klonopin - buy klonopin from india

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 8 per day - buy tramadol online checking account

Anonymous said...

07 order zyban - cheap bupropion http://www.wellbutrinforsaleonline.net/#wellbutrin-online, [url=http://www.wellbutrinforsaleonline.net/#cheap-wellbutrin]wellbutrin online[/url]

Anonymous said...

klonopin no prescription klonopin zoloft alcohol - klonopin long term use

Anonymous said...

cheap klonopin online rivotril klonopin 2mg - strong 2mg klonopin

Anonymous said...

The matchless phrase, very much is pleasant to me :)
Very well, that well comes to an end.
I apologise, but, in my opinion, you commit an error. Let's discuss. Write to me in PM, we will talk.
You have kept away from conversation
Certainly. So happens. Let's discuss this question.

[url=http://www.purevolume.com/listeners/michaelkorscheap2/posts/332067/Choosing+Your+Evening+Handbag][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyiww.eklablog.com/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://shenenmaoyizzz.altervista.org/duke-college-students-within-the-eyes-of-beijing-lv-handbags/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://mvpmichaelkors2.livejournal.com/674.html][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]
[url=http://yaba.com/mvpmichaelkors0/blog/44938/][b]michael kors outlet online[/b][/url]

Anonymous said...

klonopin clonazepam klonopin get you high - 2mg klonopin vs 2mg xanax

Anonymous said...

http://www.integrativeonc.org/adminsio/buyklonopinonline/#9183 ativan vs klonopin high - .25 mg klonopin and alcohol

Anonymous said...

The court ruled that the student loan could be the fraudulent use of spyware or cybersquatting to steal the traffic, or it may also be worth checking what local crime rates
are.

Check out my webpage Student Loans People

Anonymous said...

home cures for tennis elbow

Also visit my page: tennis elbow treatment evidence