Fine T Machine - automatic tea brewer

[horsencl]

I have a Zarafina and I like it a lot. I couldn't imagine paying that much for something that does pretty much the same functions. The Zarafina does not have a Puerh setting but I'm not all that into the stuff to begin with. Scandalous, I know . Just kidding of course. When I do drink Puerh, I just use my gaiwan to brew it. I use my yixing more often than the Zarafina, it's more of a convenience thing when I don't have the time to brew myself.

[victoria99]

it's an absolutely awesome machine, and well worth the money!

we were a bit dubious before we bought it, but it's been worth every penny. It makes sure there's a nice cup of tea for us in the morning, and if we get organised, there can be one waiting for us the minute we get home too.

Also, there's no messing around with different water temperatures and steeping times. We've got several friends who drink different sorts of teas, and it's much easier now, all thanks to the Tea Machine.

If you buy from the website [MOD EDIT].
I can't recommend it enough, and if you like your gourmet loose tea, or want to start drinking green tea or black tea for health reasons, then you really should get a Tea Machine!

VIctoria.
Moderator edit: Link removed along with other information. Please read forum rules located under Introduction, in particular regarding new members and links and self promoting links. Thank you.

Chip
TeaDrinker who happens to Moderate

[tea-guy]

I dont trust anything to brew my tea for me. I would rather go with a zoji for water ready to go at the correct temp. and leave the rest of the actual brewing to myself.

Ah... I <3 my Zoji

[Sam.]

I like having control over the brewing process. The visceral experience of holding a teapot makes the process enjoyable to me. I'm usually one for gadgets and technology but with tea, I like simplicity.

[Rainy-Day]

I think this is really great even though I won't buy it myself. Here's why it's really awesome:

• * Coffee houses will be able to brew good teas properly even if their staff is not expert in teas
  * People new to tea will be able to brew good teas right away, this machine will pay for itself simply because they won't ruin good teas due to inexperience
  * This thing will come down in price in 5-10 years to under a hundred, and then I might get one, too. Exactly the same story as with Kindle - $360 is a bit too much, but now it's already $300 and I bet in 5 years it will be under a hundred.

It would be pretty awesome if it would also measure out the right amount of water and tea leaf (by weight). That'd probably push the price up another hundred, though. All in due time.. When this model is $100, there will be a more advanced model for $250.

My concern, though, is whether it'd be easy to clean the filter thoroughly between different teas. It's an automatic filter so I imagine it might have a complex construction, and might be very hard to clean out completely.

My other concern is that I don't like electrically-heated water. It would be really great to see a machine like this that'd use butane, but I know I shouldn't hold my breath.

[silverneedles]

I don't like electrically-heated water

what do you mean by that ?

[fmoreira272]

i saw this machine at Teavana. they were brewing some white tea on it and maybe it was the tea but the taste wasnt so great.
bed and bath carries it too:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product ... U=16564362

a friend of mine has the Zarafina and i tried few times but i still like all the traditional process of brewing tea, specially now i got some nice kyuusu and very nice teacups.

[Rainy-Day]

I don't like electrically-heated water

what do you mean by that ?

Quite simply, tea made with electrically heated water tastes much worse to me. I have a Zojirushi Zotto and Aroma stainless steel electric kettle (very common type that's sold everywhere under different names for around $25-$30). I tried many different types of tea, electric heated water makes tea more watery and adds a bit of bitterness. I use poland spring water. Normally I use an enameled Le Creuset kettle on gas range.