Thanks for all the speedy replies!
I think that I will just go the route of brew, experiment, enjoy, rinse and repeat...
I tend to try and over-analyze things a bit. Anyhow, I will keep a tea journal and jot down my initial impressions of the tea so that I can come back at a later time and see how my view has changed with experience.
Also, I will get several shot glasses and pour a small amount. Perhaps in one minute intervals? This way I can see how the flavor changes from under brewed to over brewed.
Thanks for all the help,
Mike
The most important thing is to have fun.
If you're very serious, then be disciplined whenever you taste a tea: look at the dry leaf, look at the liquor (color, sheen, brightness, clarity, viscosity. ...), describe the scents, describe the taste and the aftertase. I'm a serious taster who is color blind, so I don't devote much energy to color, but I do pay attention to how healthy a tea looks.
It's important to know that when your first start tasting, you ability to discern different scents and flavors will tire quickly. Don't worry about about; the more you taste the more `buff' your tasting `muscles' will become. And as a side benefit, as you continue to develop your tasting skills you will notice more flavors in foods and drinks that have become familiar to you.
One last thing, ``Harney & Sons Guide to Tea'' is a good book to get you started.
Welcome to TeaChat.
If you're very serious, then be disciplined whenever you taste a tea: look at the dry leaf, look at the liquor (color, sheen, brightness, clarity, viscosity. ...), describe the scents, describe the taste and the aftertase. I'm a serious taster who is color blind, so I don't devote much energy to color, but I do pay attention to how healthy a tea looks.
It's important to know that when your first start tasting, you ability to discern different scents and flavors will tire quickly. Don't worry about about; the more you taste the more `buff' your tasting `muscles' will become. And as a side benefit, as you continue to develop your tasting skills you will notice more flavors in foods and drinks that have become familiar to you.
One last thing, ``Harney & Sons Guide to Tea'' is a good book to get you started.
Welcome to TeaChat.