Apr 25th, '08, 22:03
Posts: 2299
Joined: Oct 23rd, '06, 19:46
Location: Seattle Area
Contact:
tenuki
Some data from the week.
Ok, I used my scale this week out of interest. It was great fun, but I'm glad it's over. What I did was tare out my gaiwan, then cover the scale indicator and put tea in as normal via observation totally blind to the numbers on the scale. I then uncovered the digits, noted them on a pad of paper next to my tea station and brewed my tea. Here is my data from the week.
Everything is brewed in a 90ml gaiwan.
7.5g - Heirloom oolong from RB
6.4g, 6.4g, 6.4g - 2nd Place FLT Baozhong
3.3g, 3.4g, 3.4g - WuYi Shui Xian private source
7.2g, 6.9* - Legend of Tung Ting from teahome
8.9g - Li Shan from FLT
7.9g - Dan Cong (will use about 10% less next time, but close)
5.6g, 5.5g - DWX (mystery green tea in a tin from international district, yum)
5.5g - HKY Wu Yi (?)
3.0g, 3.0g - Aged Nan Tou
3.0g - Cong Ting Puerh from international district, yum
* I noted before checking the scale that I had deliberately put in less than I usually did cause I was feeling like something lighter that day.
note: multiple numbers mean I had that tea on several different days during the week.
Draw your own conclusions from this data. Here are mine:
1) Consistency and repeatability are not a problem for me without a scale. I'm now confident and armed with data that suggests to me that my method is pretty much as reliable as a scale. I was never outside .1 grams and that is pretty much a undetectable difference. The one time I was more than that I noted prior to taking the weight that I had put in less than I usually do because I wanted that taste that moment. And sure enought, less. I'm actually astonished, I would never have guessed I was that accurate. just, wow. The sample space isn't big enough to be proof to other people, but it's big enough to prove it to me.
2) There is great variance between different oolongs and the best brewing ratios, so it would be very hard to say 'brew oolongs at this ratio' IMO. There are certain patterns however, at least for my taste, and now I have numbers to communicate with others, that is always good.
My conclusion was that a scale was unnecessary and a bit annoying after a week of use. It's going back in the drawer, but I learned a lot.
Everything is brewed in a 90ml gaiwan.
7.5g - Heirloom oolong from RB
6.4g, 6.4g, 6.4g - 2nd Place FLT Baozhong
3.3g, 3.4g, 3.4g - WuYi Shui Xian private source
7.2g, 6.9* - Legend of Tung Ting from teahome
8.9g - Li Shan from FLT
7.9g - Dan Cong (will use about 10% less next time, but close)
5.6g, 5.5g - DWX (mystery green tea in a tin from international district, yum)
5.5g - HKY Wu Yi (?)
3.0g, 3.0g - Aged Nan Tou
3.0g - Cong Ting Puerh from international district, yum
* I noted before checking the scale that I had deliberately put in less than I usually did cause I was feeling like something lighter that day.
note: multiple numbers mean I had that tea on several different days during the week.
Draw your own conclusions from this data. Here are mine:
1) Consistency and repeatability are not a problem for me without a scale. I'm now confident and armed with data that suggests to me that my method is pretty much as reliable as a scale. I was never outside .1 grams and that is pretty much a undetectable difference. The one time I was more than that I noted prior to taking the weight that I had put in less than I usually do because I wanted that taste that moment. And sure enought, less. I'm actually astonished, I would never have guessed I was that accurate. just, wow. The sample space isn't big enough to be proof to other people, but it's big enough to prove it to me.
2) There is great variance between different oolongs and the best brewing ratios, so it would be very hard to say 'brew oolongs at this ratio' IMO. There are certain patterns however, at least for my taste, and now I have numbers to communicate with others, that is always good.
My conclusion was that a scale was unnecessary and a bit annoying after a week of use. It's going back in the drawer, but I learned a lot.
May 3rd, '08, 14:46
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
I reread this thread before I posted my weigh experiment results and noticed a point people kept bringing up that could be summarized thusly: 'why are we discussing this, scale use is a private matter.'
My reasons for bring it up were twofold:
1) Genuine interest and opportunity for me to learn why other people do things and explore what they might be doing that is be better for me and why. I take a couple of good new ideas and habits out of this discussion, thanks.
2) These are public forums and there is a tendency for certain people to say things like 'scales are required for green tea' or 'scales are for beginners' and such, then complain when someone posts a counter to their statement. (I'm as guilty as anyone) I thought it would be best to moderate both points of view a bit privately so that our public posts on both sides become a bit more open to other ideas. We'll see if that happens or if I just fueled the fire.
I've never used a scale for any tea (oolong, black, match, sencha, whatever) in my life and I've been brewing kick ass cups for years. If you say they are 'required' I'm gonna bristle.
My reasons for bring it up were twofold:
1) Genuine interest and opportunity for me to learn why other people do things and explore what they might be doing that is be better for me and why. I take a couple of good new ideas and habits out of this discussion, thanks.
2) These are public forums and there is a tendency for certain people to say things like 'scales are required for green tea' or 'scales are for beginners' and such, then complain when someone posts a counter to their statement. (I'm as guilty as anyone) I thought it would be best to moderate both points of view a bit privately so that our public posts on both sides become a bit more open to other ideas. We'll see if that happens or if I just fueled the fire.
I've never used a scale for any tea (oolong, black, match, sencha, whatever) in my life and I've been brewing kick ass cups for years. If you say they are 'required' I'm gonna bristle.
I like my WO-USC-300 a lot, but can't compare it to the 400Z. The flip down lid is very handy to keep the dust off and the auto backlighting is nice.Chip wrote: Amazon is out of the 400Z.
I'm totally amazed at the number of digital scales on the market.
