Welcome everyone to Friday on TeaDay! Please share what is in your cup today, all day.
Yesterday's voting was pretty mixed, many responders were influenced in their teaware preference when they joined TeaChat, but many were not as well. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.
Today's discussion topic is about TC/TCR. Please share your input in how we can assure resounding program success! Will you be involved?TC/TCR wrote: Announcement: TeaChat Tastings, Comparisons, and Reviews (TC/TCR) is coming! We hope to have the first teas in participants' hands within a month.
TeaChat keeps getting better and better. TeaChat and our host, Adagio, are partnering a Tea Tasting Program that I think will be the best tasting program anywhere. And the best part, TeaChatters can be very involved. Simply put, this is a tasting and review program that will be for TeaChatters. I think it is an exciting opportunity.
1.) Each month, TeaChatters will be asked to help select teas from the primary types of tea: Black, Oolong, Green, White, and even an occasional Pu-erh. Each month may have tastings from several types, there is no set number currently for each month, but no more than one selection from each type. TeaChatters will have an active voice in which teas are to be Tasted and Reviewed.
2.) It is Tasting, Comparison, AND Review (TCR). So for instance, if Silver Needle is selected, you will also be asked to nominate specific silver needle selections from specific vendors that meet specified criteria, and we will then vote on which will be finalists. Participants for the Silver Needle tasting/comparison/review would receive all the finalists that were selected, up to approximately 5 finalists for each tea. Adagio is leaving virtually all of the choosing to us as long as we remain within certain criteria. The vendors/finalists would be notified in a congratulatory manner regarding their selection as a finalist. Adagio will likely handle procurement and logistics.
3.) The cost to participate is not quite determined, but several factors may reduce or maybe even eliminate a participant's cost. Length of membership and number of legitimate posts will likely be factored in. Also, the goal is to have tasters review the teas, so if a participant is actively reviewing the teas he/she received, that too can reduce or eliminate the individual's cost. Reviews will be posted by participants under TeaCritic. A topic will be created for each month's reviews.
Participants will have to sign up for each tasting as it is officially announced. There will be a limited number available. I am not sure if it will be a strict first come/first served basis, or whether participants who review consistantly will receive preferred placement.
Another bonus from Adagio. In a show of commitment to this program, Adagio has had MANY tasting cup sets manufactured. The tasting sets are white and include a traditional covered brew vessel and a tasting cup, pretty nifty. They are classically styled and perfect for comparing multiple teas fairly. I have wanted several of these sets for some time for when I do comparisons. Adagio will likely make these available to TeaChat member/participants at a reduced cost. They will also likely be for sale on their site.
Again, Adagio has displayed an openness and generosity rarely seen in any business. Kudos to Adagio.
Please get involved! It is a rare opportunity to try around 5 examples of the same type of tea from 5 different vendors and also share the experience with other members.
Chip
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WOW!!!
Makes me want to curl up on sofa and drink tea all day, but alas, I have to work to afford all the new teas I want to try and the teaware I think I have to have!!!