In my cup this afternoon I'm enjoying a nice oolong courtesy of Pentox.
I have no idea what it is but it tastes like a light wuyi, a little sweet, with an interesting mint-like after taste and a lovely amber color.
Dec 13th, '08, 21:21
Posts: 344
Joined: Jan 23rd, '08, 00:59
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Huh? 
If I had the time and folks to share with I'd probably tend to traditional. But, I use a stainless infuser and white mug most of the time!!
I love tea but haven't gotten hung up on ceremony or "proper" presentation. That does not mean I don't appreciate the extra effort.
No tea today. Got up and busy so brewed up a travel mug of 100% arabica and off I went! Maybe some chamomile or decaf chai before bed!
We packed up a Christmas package for our eldest son. He lives in the DC/N. VA area and won't be coming home this year. Family pics in frames, a gift card, and I packed a mug, infuser, 1 oz. of Monk's blend, 1 oz. of Margaret's Hope Darjeeling, and 1 oz of a really nice loose chai blend. I also wrote up "directions". I included a box of Stash Chai and a Twining's assortment, too. I'm hoping to get him over to the dark side one way or the other!!
I also found out the other night that some good friends are traveling to China in March. Guess I'll be sending a wish list and some $$$ for them to pick up tea and/or a pot, cup, etc. They are retired school teachers and travel a lot so I think I can trust them to do my shopping for me!!
If I had the time and folks to share with I'd probably tend to traditional. But, I use a stainless infuser and white mug most of the time!!
I love tea but haven't gotten hung up on ceremony or "proper" presentation. That does not mean I don't appreciate the extra effort.
No tea today. Got up and busy so brewed up a travel mug of 100% arabica and off I went! Maybe some chamomile or decaf chai before bed!
We packed up a Christmas package for our eldest son. He lives in the DC/N. VA area and won't be coming home this year. Family pics in frames, a gift card, and I packed a mug, infuser, 1 oz. of Monk's blend, 1 oz. of Margaret's Hope Darjeeling, and 1 oz of a really nice loose chai blend. I also wrote up "directions".
I included a box of Stash Chai and a Twining's assortment, too. I'm hoping to get him over to the dark side one way or the other!! I also found out the other night that some good friends are traveling to China in March. Guess I'll be sending a wish list and some $$$ for them to pick up tea and/or a pot, cup, etc. They are retired school teachers and travel a lot so I think I can trust them to do my shopping for me!!
Dec 13th, '08, 22:38
Posts: 1953
Joined: Apr 6th, '08, 19:02
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Contact:
chamekke
Theoretically, I'd say that since tradition in any form, esp. in any type of cuisine, has evolved over thousands of years of practice, we should pay attention. Something has been learned and evolved over years of practice, experience, human interaction and cultural formation. I'd say that's number one.
But given a framework of tradition, one is free to experiment and adjust, and keep an open mind. Culture is not necessarily stagnant, and with our modern age we have so much input of new factors to the tea: water pollution and sterilization or filtration capabilities, development of new processes, scientific analysis of plant components, new brewing capacities, electrical appliances, teaware materials, and all kinds of other factors.
Besides, I think tea (at least from the Chinese cultural perspective) is essentially Daoist in its roots. So, I'd think of tradition as "tools, not rules" (to borrow a phrase from an Orthodox Christian priest I know).
But given a framework of tradition, one is free to experiment and adjust, and keep an open mind. Culture is not necessarily stagnant, and with our modern age we have so much input of new factors to the tea: water pollution and sterilization or filtration capabilities, development of new processes, scientific analysis of plant components, new brewing capacities, electrical appliances, teaware materials, and all kinds of other factors.
Besides, I think tea (at least from the Chinese cultural perspective) is essentially Daoist in its roots. So, I'd think of tradition as "tools, not rules" (to borrow a phrase from an Orthodox Christian priest I know).
Last edited by Janine on Dec 14th, '08, 01:13, edited 1 time in total.
Dec 14th, '08, 01:01
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
I would like to say "traditional." And I could make an argument for it. I guess I can safely say leaning that way.
A lot of distractions today, but I still managed to have a very good TeaDay. Sencha Premier to start the day with Sweetie and Gandalf.
Gyokuro, Genmaicha, Matcha, and Mugi/Genmai to finish the TeaDay.
A lot of distractions today, but I still managed to have a very good TeaDay. Sencha Premier to start the day with Sweetie and Gandalf.
Gyokuro, Genmaicha, Matcha, and Mugi/Genmai to finish the TeaDay.
I'm sure he will post this morning. Looks like he did a lot of work on the board last night, he probably thought he had posted it.
Yes we all need our TD fix!!
Yes we all need our TD fix!!
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
Dec 14th, '08, 11:52
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Joined: Jan 11th, '07, 16:13
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Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Contact:
scruffmcgruff
