Welcome everyone to TeaDay! Shall we brew and share what is in our cups today, all day!
Yesterday, TeaChatters generally felt that "tea" was never considered work. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.
Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic opens a new segment of TeaDay, announcing the "CRAVE FACTOR." Today, we discuss the crave factor of black tea based on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the highest craving. So, please share where black teas fall for you personally on the Crave Scale!!!
I am craving sharing TeaDay with everyone today. So, bottoms up ...
Sep 2nd, '08, 01:10
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Sep 2nd, '08, 01:12
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
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Location: Gainesville, Florida
Eternal Tea
Our own TIM, more commonly sighted in the IM than in the forums, sent me a sample of some magnificent 2004 Wuyi. The idea is that I am supposed to brew this tea as normal, then make one pot per day by letting it sit overnight for some weeks – so far I think the record is six weeks.
As for many Wuyi teas, aficionados recommend putting a LOT in the pot. In this case I have about 12 grams in a 150 ml pot. That’s about ¾ full after vigorously shaking the dry leaves down to settle. It tastes of some sort of powerful luscious fruit, not too sweet, maybe dried apricot or peach. There’s a tiny hint of caramel or chocolate, a little astringency but not as much as an Assam. Despite the pretty color, it is full of very masculine, assertive tastes: pipe tobacco, cigars, orange peel. So far I’ve done 9 infusions of this stuff, all for 15 seconds or less. I am about ready to believe that it will infuse forever: the eternal tea!
The pre-infusion dry leaves can be seen HERE. After 9 infusions, those black leaves are starting to show some green as the roast washes off.
Another member of the illustrious TeaChat Class of ’06, Phyll Sheng, seems to be following a similar path, but with a redder looking result and lining up the infusions like shot glasses on a bar. I have the impression that Chip does his sencha in this parade style.
As for many Wuyi teas, aficionados recommend putting a LOT in the pot. In this case I have about 12 grams in a 150 ml pot. That’s about ¾ full after vigorously shaking the dry leaves down to settle. It tastes of some sort of powerful luscious fruit, not too sweet, maybe dried apricot or peach. There’s a tiny hint of caramel or chocolate, a little astringency but not as much as an Assam. Despite the pretty color, it is full of very masculine, assertive tastes: pipe tobacco, cigars, orange peel. So far I’ve done 9 infusions of this stuff, all for 15 seconds or less. I am about ready to believe that it will infuse forever: the eternal tea!
The pre-infusion dry leaves can be seen HERE. After 9 infusions, those black leaves are starting to show some green as the roast washes off.
Another member of the illustrious TeaChat Class of ’06, Phyll Sheng, seems to be following a similar path, but with a redder looking result and lining up the infusions like shot glasses on a bar. I have the impression that Chip does his sencha in this parade style.
Well, I voted 10, as I absolutely crave black tea all day everyday. My favorite teas are almost all black teas. Though I like and drink a number of greens and whites, it's mostly black tea for me. A good Assam, a Yunnan, or a Darjeeling does it for me every time. I really only seem to crave white and green tea in the evening- every other time it's black tea.
Yep, cravin' blacks - definitely crave Darjeelings
Not all the time, but yep, I crave them.
Have a nice day everyone!
Not all the time, but yep, I crave them.
Have a nice day everyone!
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
Sep 2nd, '08, 08:13
Posts: 88
Joined: Aug 27th, '06, 15:46
Location: curled up with my cats, a good book, and a nice cup of tea
I think I've just found my new catch phrase!Terrasi wrote:Sometimes I think black tea is the gateway drug.
I voted a 5. There are one or two that I love and don't ever see giving up (Earl Grey, for instance), but I also have discovered the oolongs, as well as rooibos and honeybush. I still keep a few blacks on hand, however, because every girl needs to have some basic black.
~Cin
Earlier today only had a double espresso 
It's SO HARD to manage getting up and go to these eleven a.m. lectures *yawns*
Now, Dong Ding, second infusion. First one was way to weak. I like my DD strong.
I had a feeling of having almost no tea at home and having to buy more. Counted: 30. Oops!
It's SO HARD to manage getting up and go to these eleven a.m. lectures *yawns*Now, Dong Ding, second infusion. First one was way to weak. I like my DD strong.
I had a feeling of having almost no tea at home and having to buy more. Counted: 30. Oops!
The noise comes from the other side of the mirror