Monday TeaDay 2/23/09 Tea brewing changes?

[silvermage2000]

My tea brewing has not changed much.

[Salsero]

Wait a sec, I thought this was originally a 365-day project?

I don't usually trust my memory on these things, but when there is corroboration I gain confidence.

Thanks for the pix and the compliment, GGU, but you still need to clarify the level of commitment you have to these cranes. Do you also have to photograph them each day? Did you lose a bet? ... or is this a spiritual journey? ... or the first sign of your coming altogether unglued? The people want an explanation!

Sarah, welcome to the green side. Nice photo. Poor judgment last night, however. Looks like you have a dangerous matcha hound on your hands.

[caligatia]

Sarah, welcome to the green side. Nice photo. Poor judgment last night, however. Looks like you have a dangerous matcha hound on your hands.

Dogs on caffeine: scary.

[Geekgirl]

Wait a sec, I thought this was originally a 365-day project? Hmmm

Yeah, short attention span. I'll go for the first 30, then see what happens. Heh.

Thanks for the pix and the compliment, GGU, but you still need to clarify the level of commitment you have to these cranes. Do you also have to photograph them each day? Did you lose a bet? ... or is this a spiritual journey? ... or the first sign of your coming altogether unglued? The people want an explanation!

No, no bet. It's more of a personal challenge. I've always wanted to do a crane project, you know, fold 1000. I thought it would be a good combo with a 365 project (one photo a day,) but it turns out that paper cranes just have no personality, and that makes it hard to create an interesting photo day after day. I'm definitely going 30, then perhaps I'll switch to something else. I've folded about 100 cranes so far. I'll keep going with the cranes beyond 30 if I can. Who knows?

[Salsero]

that makes it hard to create an interesting photo day after day.

Well, you certainly have an impressive start in the photos you linked us to!

[Dreamer]

I picked definitely more laid back...why just now, oh a whim, I decided to punch up my later steeps of kabusecha with some matcha...mmmm yummy!

Have fun,
Dreamer

[Cinnamon Kitty]

My brewing methods have gotten a little bit more precise since I started drinking tea. Most of the precision is from paying more attention to water temperature, leaf to water ratios, and timing. I have gone from tea bag in whatever the temperature of the water from the kettle was for an undetermined steeping time to x number of scoops of loose leaf tea per z ounces of water that gets timed and is steeped at a certain temperature. My current methods may not be the most precise, but they have gotten more precise as I delve further into the world of tea.

Currently in my cup is Yutaka Midori!

[Geekgirl]

that makes it hard to create an interesting photo day after day.

Well, you certainly have an impressive start in the photos you linked us to!

Thanks! I'm pleased with some of those images, but it means a lot to hear it.

I borrowed a page from your book and used tea leaves for today's bird. I was going to go with brewed, but I drank some puerh today and that just looks like mulch.





Yes, lensbaby again. New toys, you know.

[geeber1]

Wow, I forgot to vote this morning! I voted "more precise, etc." mainly because I've been trying new teas and trying to do them right.

Had a kind of crummy tea day today, but had a TeaSource order come in and am now enjoying some "Sweet Flower" Oolong. Yum!

Sal, lovely photo, as usual. I love closeups, and you sure caught the beauty of those leaves.

GeekGirl, I like your cranes, you're being very creative with them! Although I can see where you might run out of inspiration by the time you shot a year's worth of them!

[horsencl]

I'm leaning towards being more precise. I was taught how to brew loose leaf by a very easy going local tea shop owner. She basically said add water, don't worry about the temperature, and steep until the leaves are al dente. I just recently got my first thermometer/timer and I have to say that the tea really does taste better. I still have moments where I oversteep in too hot water but I'm learning. I think that journey is what makes tea so interesting for me.

[JP]

I am taking more care in the preparation as I explore different teas, so I am definitely leaning towards more precise. In time I expect that I become more relaxed once I find what works for me.