Saturday TeaParty, what is in your cup this 2/09/08

by **Victoria** » Feb 9th, '08, 14:38

by Victoria » Feb 9th, '08, 14:38

At work, where it seems I am most of my life, I use mostly a large metal mesh basket insufer that fits perefctly into the Adagio clear glass mug. At home, if I have time, I prefer using a glass pot. I can clearly see more types of teapots in my future.

My first brew this morning is a nice Tung Ting.

Have a nice day eveyone!

by **Cinnamon Kitty** » Feb 9th, '08, 14:46

by Cinnamon Kitty » Feb 9th, '08, 14:46

I like my infuser basket in a mug approach. That will last until next week when my yutori teapot arrives from Den's.

This morning started with green anji from Adagio.

by **Chip** » Feb 9th, '08, 15:37

by Chip » Feb 9th, '08, 15:37

Forgot the glass teapot option. I am surprised the ingenuiTEA is running away with the Poll.

My choice has almost always been a kyusu. In my early days, I was Maryish and was breaking the lids repeatedly. I seem to have gotten over the learning curve and now can start using some nicer ones. My curent fav is the Kikumaru Kyusu which is made from simply beautiful natural white clay. The clay is very fine and sooo smooth. I currently have 4 kyusu and love them all and use them all.

I also have Yixing which I use for all my Chinese and Taiwanese teas. In addition, I have a cabinet full of more decorative Yixing from when I used to sell them. Although they are not as functional as a simple Yixing, I love them anyway. I have a bit of a Chinese dragon fetish, and have pretty many with a dragon design.

I started my day off with Uji prefecture Kabusecha. It took me 1/3 of the 100 gram bag to figure this one out, and now it is really incredible.

Time to consider my next tea, and since it has been 3 days since I have had anything but Japanese, I am sure it will be Chinese or Taiwanese.

by **tenuki** » Feb 9th, '08, 16:32

by tenuki » Feb 9th, '08, 16:32

Gaiwan - easiest to clean and can brew anything. Here is my favorite one ( I have 4 or 5 )

Today I've gotta cup of ..... Ali Shan - yes again. some people call me boring or predictable, I call me reliable.

by **Chip** » Feb 9th, '08, 16:51

by Chip » Feb 9th, '08, 16:51

tenuki wrote:Today I've gotta cup of ..... Ali Shan - yes again. some people call me boring or predictable, I call me reliable.

Dude, you are infinately quotable. I bet you offer a dry wit complete with a deadpan delivery that makes others wonder whether you are serious or joking.

Even your setup is infinately understated, yet beautiful.

by **scruffmcgruff** » Feb 9th, '08, 17:05

by scruffmcgruff » Feb 9th, '08, 17:05

Someone has a crush... :twisted:

by **caradrake** » Feb 9th, '08, 17:45

by caradrake » Feb 9th, '08, 17:45

For lunch, my husband and I met some friends at PF Changs. I had an excellent pot of dragon eye oolong, which is a blend of safflower, peach, and apricot.

by **Chip** » Feb 9th, '08, 17:52

by Chip » Feb 9th, '08, 17:52

Scruff McGruff wrote:Someone has a crush...

We all have TeaCrushes... :!:

Round two, Ding Gu Da Fang, the Long Jing's sister from Anhui. I really can say I like this as much as many Long Jings, which is saying quite a lot considering how much I love Long Jing.

by **Ladytiger** » Feb 9th, '08, 17:59

by Ladytiger » Feb 9th, '08, 17:59

I had some Fuka-Marioi (sp?) earlier. I'm all set for a while with iced tea, I made a 1/2 gallon of Russian Caravan which I'm chugging down right now

by **Chip** » Feb 9th, '08, 18:21

by Chip » Feb 9th, '08, 18:21

Ladytiger, what part of PA do you hail from? I live near Reading.

by **cloudyday** » Feb 9th, '08, 18:32

by cloudyday » Feb 9th, '08, 18:32

I use my tokoname dobins more than anything else, usually...so I just chose Kyusu since I guess that'd be closest.

Had some 2005 Ripe Pu-erh...not sure of the details, since I lost the info for it and obviously cannot read Chinese...

by **tenuki** » Feb 9th, '08, 19:01

by tenuki » Feb 9th, '08, 19:01

Second gaiwan today is from Hou De:

display larger image

[url=http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=66&products_id=826]2007 Autumn Yu-Shan Organic Honey-aroma Oolong, Hand Harvested
Sha Li Sian section, Yu-Shan, Taiwan[/url]

15% fermentation/ 0% roasting
Clutivar - green-centered (Chin Shin) oolong.

( I have no idea what half of that means, but hey, I can copy off the package as well as anyone.. )

This has been a fine tea, unfortunately I'm down to the last few brewings. I really like the new packaging from Hou De - glad to see at least one vendor springing for the ziplock mylar bags and desiccants, it makes a big difference. And their brown paper packaging really appeals to my ascetic _and_ aesthetic sensibilities.

The honey aroma isn't as strong as the tea has aged (a couple months old at this point) but the quality of the leaf is still there, I actually could care less about the aroma to tell the truth.

by **tseirPsaduJ** » Feb 9th, '08, 19:59

by tseirPsaduJ » Feb 9th, '08, 19:59

I love the black and white gaiwan.

by **Dr. Eel** » Feb 9th, '08, 20:21

by Dr. Eel » Feb 9th, '08, 20:21

The doc prescribes the gaiwan. I was torn between my kyusu, which has-lately-seen much frequent use, and my gaiwan. In the end, i prefer the sheer simplicity and simplistic beauty of the chinese instrument.

by **Chip** » Feb 9th, '08, 20:23

by Chip » Feb 9th, '08, 20:23

Hmmm, can't believe I still don't own a gaiwan, there is just no good excure or reason not to have a couple of them. I am always looking at them, but never get around to checking out.

Just had matcha...contemplating another tea. If I do, it will likely have to be lower caffeine Karigane.

Isn't anyone drinking tea today??? :shock:

Saturday TeaParty, what is in your cup this 2/09/08

What is you favorite brewing vessel/device?