sencha may be picky, but to really introduce someone to tea i think you should expose them to the vast variety of flavors. Sticking to something easy to brew might discourage him if they are not akin to something he liked.scruffmcgruff wrote:I'd vote for a koryo teacup, which is a bit more user-friendly than a gaiwan but similarly minimalist. As for teas, I'd say no to sencha-- too picky. Some easy-to-brew blacks and oolongs (roasted TGY, maybe) would be a good bet, methinks.
Jul 24th, '08, 23:59
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Good point. Still, it might be a better idea to brew it for him once so if/when he tries it himself and screws up, he doesn't abandon it.Pentox wrote:sencha may be picky, but to really introduce someone to tea i think you should expose them to the vast variety of flavors. Sticking to something easy to brew might discourage him if they are not akin to something he liked.
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Hm Scruff makes a good point too. It seems as though there may be two differing ideas about how to go about presenting the world of tea to someone and getting them started.
The original thought was to give a set of teaware/teas that would introduce someone to the world of tea. I agree that if it is just going to be given and nothing / little after that then you may want to go with something easy so a beginner wouldn't mess it up.
But if you want to show the variety of the world of tea and train your friend on the ways of tea, then perhaps it's better to go with the wide wide world of tea and the variety it offers. Show him how to properly brew, brew some for him so he knows what it can taste like. Then help him learn and let him choose a path.
Two different mentalities, with two different levels of involvement.
The original thought was to give a set of teaware/teas that would introduce someone to the world of tea. I agree that if it is just going to be given and nothing / little after that then you may want to go with something easy so a beginner wouldn't mess it up.
But if you want to show the variety of the world of tea and train your friend on the ways of tea, then perhaps it's better to go with the wide wide world of tea and the variety it offers. Show him how to properly brew, brew some for him so he knows what it can taste like. Then help him learn and let him choose a path.
Two different mentalities, with two different levels of involvement.
Jul 25th, '08, 01:51
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Wesli wrote:I was thinking of silver needle>white peony.... but my experience has shown me that beginners enjoy the white peony. Lots say the taste of the silver needle is too delicate.
Hmm, you may be right there. The only peony I recall distinctly was from Stash, and, ahem, it weren't too special.Victoria wrote:Agree - Peony instead of Silver Needle.
Riiiiight.bi lew chun wrote: Hmm, you may be right there. The only peony I recall distinctly was from Stash, and, ahem, it weren't too special.
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Jul 25th, '08, 11:18
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Jul 25th, '08, 13:10
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Dancong and gaoshan are the ones that really hooked me. They're relatively easy to brew and a fair bit different from other teas most people have tried. They're also what I use to hook friends on tea, and they've been pretty consistently impressed with them
I actually think that a gaiwan could be a good idea, particularly if you're there to show him how to use it. I tend to think that it's more of the concept of a gaiwan that intimidates more than anything. My last gf actually picked up one of my gaiwans and ended up using it just fine without any real knowledge of tea or teaware. It seems to me that if you just hand one to someone saying "here, try this" then it's more natural.
I actually think that a gaiwan could be a good idea, particularly if you're there to show him how to use it. I tend to think that it's more of the concept of a gaiwan that intimidates more than anything. My last gf actually picked up one of my gaiwans and ended up using it just fine without any real knowledge of tea or teaware. It seems to me that if you just hand one to someone saying "here, try this" then it's more natural.
Jul 25th, '08, 13:17
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Although I love special equipment such as gaiwan-s, I wouldn't provide that as the only teaware to a beginner.
An Adagio kit with the ingenuiTEA pot and a set of four samples would be a great start. You can always supplement that set with other, more specific tea samples if you want to provide more range. And if you're really keen to get your friend started on a gaiwan, maybe give him an inexpensive one (along with the Adagio teapot). That way he has the chance to try a couple of different approaches.
Incidentally, everyone at my office was completely charmed the first time I used my ingenuiTEA pot there. People love to see the tea swirling and brewing. I really think it's an extraordinarily appealing pot, as well as super-functional and well made.
And don't be too disappointed if your friend isn't converted. I once treated a friend to a hand-picked selection of really superb Japanese incenses. He was completely indifferent. Some people have the nose (or palate) to enjoy these things, and some people don't.
An Adagio kit with the ingenuiTEA pot and a set of four samples would be a great start. You can always supplement that set with other, more specific tea samples if you want to provide more range. And if you're really keen to get your friend started on a gaiwan, maybe give him an inexpensive one (along with the Adagio teapot). That way he has the chance to try a couple of different approaches.
Incidentally, everyone at my office was completely charmed the first time I used my ingenuiTEA pot there. People love to see the tea swirling and brewing. I really think it's an extraordinarily appealing pot, as well as super-functional and well made.
And don't be too disappointed if your friend isn't converted. I once treated a friend to a hand-picked selection of really superb Japanese incenses. He was completely indifferent. Some people have the nose (or palate) to enjoy these things, and some people don't.
______________________
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"Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cosy, doesn't try it on."
- Billy Connolly
Jul 25th, '08, 17:20
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It may really depend on your friend's personality and taste. Do you think he'd grasp the complexities of something really special or does it just need to be simple and approachable? Does his palate seem to be sophisticated or simple?
Oh, temptation...
Gosh is that ever true.chamekke wrote:And don't be too disappointed if your friend isn't converted. I once treated a friend to a hand-picked selection of really superb Japanese incenses. He was completely indifferent. Some people have the nose (or palate) to enjoy these things, and some people don't.
I really seem to have a weakness for these things lately.El Padre wrote: A Kokoro is damn near perfect for coolness and usefulness on the cheap. You can brew 99% of the tea out there in it, and mine have withstood ridiculous abuse.
Oh, temptation...
There's quite a bit to ponder here, but rest assured, good ideas abound!
I have to carefully evaluate his personality, though, and make sure it synchs well with the tea goodies. I've given the IngeuiniTea set to someone as a gift, but only because it fit so well with their "style". This guy is a little more...ponderous. Let me rake through the info here and I'll let you know what I compose.
Thanks for the info everybody!
I have to carefully evaluate his personality, though, and make sure it synchs well with the tea goodies. I've given the IngeuiniTea set to someone as a gift, but only because it fit so well with their "style". This guy is a little more...ponderous. Let me rake through the info here and I'll let you know what I compose.
Thanks for the info everybody!