Well, I had New Year's dim sum at a local restaurant that sells tea and does a gong fu service with dim sum: San Francisco's South Seas Seafood Restaurant. I had the Tie Kwan Yin (low roast).
And I started both mornings (yesterday and today) at home with Imperial Keemun Hao-Ya from Imperial Tea Court. Delicious!
Happy New Year, everybody.
I believe technically my first tea of 2009 was either a Wuyi or some Oolong #8 after midnight and a soda-induced stomach ache. The first tea I had after waking up, however, was a rather boring Ceylon I'm trying to drink up rather than toss.
Inexplicably tired today, and hoping some Fujian Baroque might help.
Inexplicably tired today, and hoping some Fujian Baroque might help.
Jan 2nd, '09, 22:01
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Not to mention the coool cup!brandon wrote:
Trying a few new things for the new year - aged oolong, writing notes on tea, and even writing them with pen and paper. I've stolen the implements of choice from the Internet's own Brent. All fun stuff, so far.
Hmmm, seems I am drinking from the same cup today.There you go dropping names again!guitar9876 wrote:started my year with sencha miyabi from o-cha, which i happen to be drinking right now. i think i'll be finished with the bag by the end of the week, then i'll open the yutaka midori!
I may have completely blown the brewing on a gyokuro from Cinnabar Red.
Fortunately, he gave me more than enough for another crack at it. Sencha Zuiko, first try this harvest of this fine asamushi from Den's as I prepare to send out samples. I went with a gram per ounce water. Anyone have experience with this sencha ... Brandon?
Oh dear! I'm the odd-duck. I started with a roasted ramon nut yerba mate - about as close as I can get to healthful coffee.
I've totally lost my taste for coffee over the past twenty years, not that it was a favorite beverage. Tea is much preferred. A drip coffeemaker, then use of a French coffee press bastardized (read: acid, bitter and NOT smooth brews, no matter how they were prepared) the dimly remembered, ever pleasant taste of traditionally brewed coffee prepared in a well-seasoned percolator.
Espressos aren't my speed.
Maybe its an age thing?
That brought me, about a month ago, to rave reviews of a 'doctored' yerba mate blend that tastes like coffee - but is more healthful. I ordered a dark roast type and have come to enjoy it first thing in the morning, as an alternative to a strong malty Assam.
However, I would have tempered my choice had I known that we would be quizzed on it! Darn!
I've totally lost my taste for coffee over the past twenty years, not that it was a favorite beverage. Tea is much preferred. A drip coffeemaker, then use of a French coffee press bastardized (read: acid, bitter and NOT smooth brews, no matter how they were prepared) the dimly remembered, ever pleasant taste of traditionally brewed coffee prepared in a well-seasoned percolator.
Espressos aren't my speed.
Maybe its an age thing?
That brought me, about a month ago, to rave reviews of a 'doctored' yerba mate blend that tastes like coffee - but is more healthful. I ordered a dark roast type and have come to enjoy it first thing in the morning, as an alternative to a strong malty Assam.
However, I would have tempered my choice had I known that we would be quizzed on it! Darn!
Jan 3rd, '09, 10:10
Posts: 470
Joined: Sep 29th, '08, 08:49
Location: Floating blissfully in a bowl of Matcha
Jan 3rd, '09, 11:35
Posts: 470
Joined: Sep 29th, '08, 08:49
Location: Floating blissfully in a bowl of Matcha
Hi Brandon, and where is this top notch gyokuro from???? Share please. I have some from O-Cha and also Den's, any other recommendations? Thanks!brandon wrote:My first tea of the year was Sencha Kaboku. I am down to the last of the bag, and also finished up all of my Sencha Zuiko from Den's. Some guricha remains, but asamushi is near its end.
I need to get into some serious Japanese green drinking so I can finish my many open packets of gyokuro. Then, after a break, I can get into the generous gift of top notch gyokuro currently resting in the teafridge.
Have a FAB TeaDay Everyone!
http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/gyokuro-kamegirushi.html
I haven't tasted this yet, it has to wait until I finish the others.
So far my favorite was Hibiki-an's Gyokuro Kuradashi.
I haven't tasted this yet, it has to wait until I finish the others.
So far my favorite was Hibiki-an's Gyokuro Kuradashi.
Jan 3rd, '09, 11:47
Posts: 470
Joined: Sep 29th, '08, 08:49
Location: Floating blissfully in a bowl of Matcha
Thanks for the quick reply Brandon! Have a FAB TeaDaybrandon wrote:http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/gyokuro-kamegirushi.html
I haven't tasted this yet, it has to wait until I finish the others.
So far my favorite was Hibiki-an's Gyokuro Kuradashi.
Have a FAB TeaDay Everyone!
Jan 3rd, '09, 12:22
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Ditto. Should be pretty amazing from what Olivier is saying.brandon wrote:http://www.o-cha.com/green-tea/gyokuro-kamegirushi.html
I haven't tasted this yet, it has to wait until I finish the others.