TeaChat

This topic has floated around in the past, but I do not recall a specific topic for green tea. And is a sister topic to this one: http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17856

Is your current practice for GREEN TEAs:

• Only to buy the best
  Buy the best you can afford
  Buy based upon a personally created value system
  Buy as best as possible ... CHEAPLY
  Buy "everyday selections" offered by vendors
  Buy as cheaply as possible, period
  A combination of the above

And bonus, What if you had seemingly endless greens available to you ... would this change your practice? And/or would a drastic increase in personal finances change your purchasing patterns?

• Yes, definitely
  Yes, somewhat or by some measure
  Maybe
  Not too likely
  No, definitely not

I don't think what I would buy would change, but I would certainly buy (and consume) a lot more.

ooops, added 2nd vote option.

I'd give my everday drinking selections a very slight upgrade, then buy a bunch of the best that money can afford for special days; that way, I won't end up getting over accustomed to the best teas and end up with no better tea to drink.

My tastes in greens are evolving, and I'm gradually exploring pricier teas. I've been a little wary of spending a lot for teas new to me without sampling or trying a medium-priced version first, because sometimes I just don't care for the one that traditionally is considered the best.

So, a vote for bonus/maybe, but really none of the main categories offered fits what I'm doing now.

By personally created value system, which is basically browsing what "my guys" have every spring and also whatever I feel like.
Wouldn't change much even if I have a lot more money than what I have now.
I'm glad the question didn't ask if there will be changes when there is "decrease" of financial sources. That will definitely cause changes. Not that I'm spending a lot of money on tea now, but if there is not much "disposable income", then I would turn to more inexpensive green tea and other tea in storage (because green tea isn't stored well...)

Since I'm the only one who drinks in my household, it makes sense to buy enough tea to last me for one year, until the new season begins. That said, the tea that I buy tends to be of the best quality. I won't compromise on quality and flavour!

I tend to choose a mid-range "everyday" tea and a high-end "treat" tea. For instance, with matcha, I might get the Sayaka from Ippodo to drink normally, and add one tin of the Seiun or Ummon for special occasions. For sencha I am guilty of drinking expensive stuff more often than I probably should, financially speaking anyway Kaboku has been my go-to all year.