Wednesday TeaDay 3/25/09 Tea Experiments III

[Victoria]

In my cup this afternoon - Floating Leaves Tea LiShan
Sitting on my doorstep at home - new teaware!!

[brlarson]

In my cup this afternoon - Floating Leaves Tea LiShan
Sitting on my doorstep at home - new teaware!!

Is it Hagi ware?

[Salsero]

Finished off some organic Ali Shan earlier today, went through a bowl of matcha, and now I am on some hojicha.

[Chip]

In my cup this afternoon - Floating Leaves Tea LiShan
Sitting on my doorstep at home - new teaware!!

Is it Hagi ware?

No, I bought it allll ...

Late in reporting what is in my cup-s today ...

Started the day with Yame Gyokuro from Zencha, really lowered the temp (finally listening to the site directions ). Around 110* (which is higher than their 100* recommnedation), and this makes a big difference for this temp sensitive gyokuro.

On topic, I used my new Hagi Gyokuro set which is 30 years old. It is a major learning experiment!

Next up, Alishan from Adagio with the wife and cats. This is excellent everyday oolong, very approachable, throw leaf in pot, pour water over, drink.

Finally O-Cha Chiran Supreme. I really enjoy this YM breed tea.

And lastly, O-Cha Uji Sencha bag, yummm, great TeaDay!

[Victoria]

In my cup this afternoon - Floating Leaves Tea LiShan
Sitting on my doorstep at home - new teaware!!

Is it Hagi ware?

No, I bought it allll ...

So you think.

[Chip]

...ooops, left some "fannings and dust."

Although most of the Hagi I have collected are quite the contrary, sometimes Hagi can simple and understated. Like this little gal I gave a test run today. It is around 2.75" wide and feels reallllly supreme in hand. I was amazed how nice and satisfying it performed. I have always had an affinity for the smaller cups and have several of these so called guinomi-s (sake cups).


Nice curves...

[brlarson]

I had to go into work today, rather than work from home like I usually do, so I was without good tea until 7pm, but I'm making up for it nicely.

I'm on my 5th infusion of Zencha's Ultimate Sencha (1:1 ratio). The flavors are fuller, less ethereal, than when I first opened it, but it is still rich and quite delicious.

Victoria, I trust you'll be posting pics to the Hagi topic?

[Victoria]

I had to go into work today, rather than work from home like I usually do, so I was without good tea until 7pm, but I'm making up for it nicely.

I'm on my 5th infusion of Zencha's Ultimate Sencha (1:1 ratio). The flavors are fuller, less ethereal, than when I first opened it, but it is still rich and quite delicious.

Victoria, I trust you'll be posting pics to the Hagi topic?

Ok, if you insist.

[Chip]

I had to go into work today, rather than work from home like I usually do, so I was without good tea until 7pm, but I'm making up for it nicely.

I'm on my 5th infusion of Zencha's Ultimate Sencha (1:1 ratio). The flavors are fuller, less ethereal, than when I first opened it, but it is still rich and quite delicious.

Victoria, I trust you'll be posting pics to the Hagi topic?

Ok, if you insist.

I am looking forward to it!

Blarson, what temp did you brew the Ultimate at??? They are recommending 140* for the best sencha. Now I am rethinking how I brew the Yame Takumi

[Salsero]

around 2.75" wide and feels reallllly supreme in hand. I was amazed how nice and satisfying it performed.

That is one sweet cup. Are you sure it is hagi?

[Chip]

Yep, believe it or not, it is Yamane Seigen. He is pretty diverse in his pieces and is accessible to the common man. Love the boxes too!!!

[hop_goblin]

Indeed! I am expermenting with ancient cups and older clay pots.

[brlarson]

Blarson, what temp did you brew the Ultimate at??? They are recommending 140* for the best sencha. Now I am rethinking how I brew the Yame Takumi

1st and 2nd infusion are at 140, 3rd at 150, 4th and above at 160.

I have a Takumi scheduled to replace my YM in about a week. I plan to brew the Takumi the same way as the Ultimate, though I might top out the leaf ratio at 1:1 this time

[murrius]

A leaf that is so diverse in its flavours is only honoured by a diverse approach to the brewing of the leaf. Gaiwan, kyusu, yixing, brown betty, ..... whatever.

[kymidwife]

Experimenting a minor amount within the limits of the teaware I own. Would like to work with yixing a bit more in the future, and acquire more kyusu pots... reallly love those.

In my cup today was De Lime in De Coconut, Minty Fresh Monkey, and Capricorn signature blends... tonight is Darjeeling #1. All were magically delicious.

Sarah