Tea Tasting

[Wesli]

I like both ideas. Space's revolving tasting is something I would be involved in both ways.

Teacritic might have larger funds ( ), as well as reach a larger audience, so I'd love that wider-spread tasting too.

My main concern with both of these is how shipping will be handled. I rarely send anything through the post, so I haven't a clue as to the costs that might be involved. I would be willing to electronically transfer a small sum for shipping and reimbursement, as long as its not too draining.

[Chip]

I would like to have my cake and eat it too.

I would like a small band of tea brethren to share a tea hosting, and only seek to go outside of ITD when additional participants are needed. A select group who knows all who receive samples will likely host at a later date. This is a nice cozy fellowship thing and a great idea. Each would take turns of the expense when they take a turn to host, at least that was my perception. I mean, it would be a hassle to send a different person a couple bucks every month.

Michael, your idea has a completely different appeal and different flavor to it. I see no reason why we cannot do both. It sounds like an awesome idea, which is why I have some opinions about it. I for one, would be interested in helping as needed!!!

Before I go on, the one thing that has always impressed me about adagio and TeaChat is their willingness to permit a completely open discussin on all facets of tea as well as any vendor, including their direct competition. This is astounding!!! I can tell you this does not generally occur on most vendor owned forums. Adagio is to be commended for their contribution to the TeaCommunity.

The teacritic.com is owned by adagio, and that is fine, we just need to be clear that this is an adagio enterprise. adagio stands to profit through further exposure, albeit we will all benefit as well. Michael, you brought up some very good points as did everyone else.

Issues that need some answers from my point of view:
How is it funded, is adagio footing the entire bill?
Guarantee the objectivity, I cannot see how this is possible if adagio is handling the samples, nothing personal and no offense intended, but a third party is needed to ensure credibility.
Administration, how is the whole thing to be adminned.
And yes, the logistics, ties with adagio not handling the samples.

I would just like it done right and right the first time, especially if I am involved in it in any way.

Great ideas, I am excited about both... where is Space anyway?

[Space Samurai]

Wow, I'm blushing a bit.

I like both ideas, and perhaps both should be experimented with.

First, a smaller, private tasting. I figure the logistics would be simple enough for those who wanted to be involved. We just need a volunteer each month. For example, I have January, some one could step up for Feb, Chip could grab March, and so on. If this is a route we choose, I'd be happy to keep track of things like Mary did for SS.

Expense: Obviously different people have different financial situations, so I think it should be up to any given host rather to make it first come, first serve (as I had to choose to) or as open to as many who want to participate.

Shipping: I'll let you know what it ends up costing, but in this case, I don't imagine it will cost too much to mail 15 grams of tea, probably about two stamps per person.

Teacritic: I think it is a great idea; it would definitely make the experience available to others outside of ITD. And I like the idea of two different types of tastings a month.

Michael: For Teacritic, what do we need to do?

[Space Samurai]

... where is Space anyway?

Its three days before Christmas, Space has been at work all day. I'm just home for a nap now; I'll be going back at 3 am.

Chip said what I was kind of thinking but didn't say, I'd like both, too. You are all my tea-friends, and I like the idea of sharing with you. SS seemed like a good time for all involved, and I think it would be great to continue that fellowship.

As for some of the logistics involved with Tea critic, perhaps samples could be chosen from a pool of suggestions.

I too am curious about the expense involved. I wouldn't be opposed to a fair price.

[Space Samurai]

For the current tasting I have:

Chip
Bhale
Hop
Salsero
Fuka

So there's room for two more.

Salsero, I think I'll need your address; I should have everyone else's in my inbox.

[michael]

This week we've received a sample of tea enclosed with a holiday card from our good friends at Argo Tea in Chicago. A kind gesture, that unfortunately has misfired along with our own attempts to send tea through the mail. The ziploc sample bag was crushed, with half its content reduced to dust, spilling about the envelope. The automated sorting machines that direct mail to its destination are not kind to the gentle tea leaves. To ensure an intact delivery, would highly recommend packaging tea in metal containers to prevent leaves being crushed in transit.

[Mary R]

Jeebus! I go away for a few days and look what I miss!

Space: If there's still room in your tasting, count me in! I'm also interested in hosting a month of my own...but hopefully in a few months. Christmas and application fees (and the devil-spawn of ETS) have done a number on my funds. I need some recovery time.

Michael: The TeaCritic ideas sound fantastic. A lot of us here in the ITD group had been planning something sort of similar--a type of tea wiki. I belive part of it was going to include tasting notes for various types of teas. The planning hit a roadblock with our time and funding issues, though. It would be excellent if Adagio could pull it off.

I have some concerns, which Chip has already addressed. Like him, I'd also be interested in helping as needed.

[Chip]

.....I am thinking WHITE MINT OOLONG

.... hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

This is definately NOT a flavored tea group. Though Mary will secretly sip the white mint oolong in her TEAcloset.

[Mary's Mad Mod Edit: What? Do you WANT me to hunt you down and kill you?]

[Chip's Mad Mod Editorial Response: No Mary, I just want you to hunt me down and have a cup of Yutaka Midori with me!]

[scruffmcgruff]

Mod fight! (and yes, I'm still around, I've just been busy with holiday stuff- I'll get back to posting soon.)

[Space Samurai]

...and Mary makes six; I can take one more if anyone else is interested.

I just ordered it, so I suspect you will receive the samples in about two weeks, for better or worse.

[Wesli]

This is so exciting.

[Chip]

Excellent, Spacedude!!!

Thanx for taking the the bull by the horns and getting this off the ground. We might of just talked about it for a few years otherwise.

[Salsero]

A big ditto of both Fuka and Chip. You're just that "take charge" sort of tea expert! Thanks for saving the rest of us from our tea-induced lethargy.

[Chip]

I know it's been said before by others, but love the fish teacup Salsero!

Mary, be sure to see the edit to my 12/26 post.

[Space Samurai]

No problem guys, It was my pleasure.