My first "real" purchase, how'd I do?

[geeber1]

The only one I can think of is the professional tasting set - it's a great set, and has just one nice big cup that's just about perfect (it leaves a good half inch or so of space above the tea where you can hold it without burning your fingers). Hou De has a set for $12.50 - http://www.houdeasianart.com/index.php? ... cts_id=661

Interestingly, I just received tasting set samples that Adagio just had made. They are nice. I will get a lot of use out of them. Adagio will make them available at reduced cost to the TeaChat/TCR participants and will also likely have them for normal price on their site soon.

Yay, any idea when?

[Chip]

I am sure very soon since the tasting program is proceeding as planned. I expect they might offer them first to participants and then have them on their site.

[geeber1]

I don't remember reading how the participants are chosen. Do you just say "I'm in" or is there a procedure? I'm not a big Oolong fancier (yet), but I might like to participate just to learn more about it.

[Chip]

Participants will likely be chosen on 2 criteria. An official sign up time will be announced and TC members in good standing can sign up at that designated time and place.

In future tastings, preference MAY be given to those who post reviews under the designated topic in previous tastings. Not sure about this yet as we are still discussing some details.

Trust me, if you are on TeaChat, you will hear more information as it becomes available. I will continue to promote the program on TeaDay, but the official location for TC/TCR will be under the TeaCritic forum. I will be posting an announcement there shortly.

After a few runs, it will be clear as mud.

[ngower]

Hooray! I didn't make a boneheaded purchase. From the few tealovers at work, they all seemed to love the aesthetics on the gaiwan. Not one person has said a bad thing about it, and though I know it's no the best tea set in the world, it's certainly nice. Maybe I'll order a few more of the cups before Christmas and have one big tea tasting on Christmas day with family.

Also, as I mentioned before I work at Starbucks and today (supposed to be tomorrow, but shhhh) we put up all our new holiday stuff, one of which being a whole new line of teas and teaware. Amongst these were an 8oz gaiwan-esque teapot and a glass mug, both of which I bought for around $13 after my discount. Testing those out tonight but I've spent nearly $100 on teaware today

[Victoria]

Well not bad if you average it out since your March join date. You have shown remarkable restraint up till now!!!
Enjoy your purchases!

[ngower]

Well not bad if you average it out since your March join date. You have shown remarkable restraint up till now!!!
Enjoy your purchases!

Remarkable restraint on teas, but not elsewhere

I've wanted to continue my experiments with teas and I've managed to visit a few tea shops in the meantime, but it's definitely a purchase that's been lingering in my head for a while.

One question, when pouring, how do I not burn my fingers? Tips? Tools? etc.

Thanks.

P.S. Can anyone recommend a good clay Gaiwan and/or cup? Thanks...again!

[Victoria]

You will find some tips here:
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... sc&start=0

[tenuki]

Those are fantastic choices. Well done!

[ngower]

You will find some tips here:
http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t= ... sc&start=0

Thanks!

Oh, and your icon was actually the source of a conversation I had with a customer at work!

She had mentioned her daughter had a teacup in the shape of a heart and I described what I had seen in your icon and she said it was very similar. I don't know if that's creepy or flattering...or neither...let's just stop while we're ahead shall we?

[Victoria]

Ha! Agreed!

[ngower]

While I know this isn't quite the right spot to be asking this, can anyone recommend some relatively cheap (I don't want to blow an entire week's pay on one tea) teas? I've looked around and I'm thinking of the Organic Dragonwell and White Peony from Andao, and was looking at some of Kusmi's teas, but having a tough time finding much else. If you guys can direct me to somewhere to test out my new stuff (according to Adagio, I should be getting my kettle tomorrow ) that'd be awesome!

[ngower]

Got my Gaiwan and some teas today. Just had a few questions:

1. I have a 150ml Gaiwan and use about 2-3 TBSP (per packaging of a White Peony I tried, gave a very dark color) for about one minute, tasted a bit strong. Was wondering if I should be using less as it's a relatively small Gaiwan?

2. Any tips on pouring? I had a lot of spillage

3. Anything else to know about a Gaiwan/brewing teas the "real" way? I loved my InginuiTEA, but I'm still pretty much a newb to loose leaf teas.

[wyardley]

Got my Gaiwan and some teas today. Just had a few questions:

1. I have a 150ml Gaiwan and use about 2-3 TBSP (per packaging of a White Peony I tried, gave a very dark color) for about one minute, tasted a bit strong. Was wondering if I should be using less as it's a relatively small Gaiwan?

There's no right or wrong in terms of strength. If it tastes too strong to you, try backing off on one parameter or another (either water temperature, amount of leaf, or time). I would first try pouring sooner rather than reducing the amount of tea leaf, but it's up to you. Play around with the different parameters and see what tastes best to you.

2. Any tips on pouring? I had a lot of spillage

Play around with more or less space when you crack the lid open to pour. Too much and too much tea leaf will get out and the pour will be too fast; too little, and it will be difficult to pour and the tea will come out in too wide a stream. Some gaiwans are easier to pour from than others.

And, of course, practice. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but I think you will find yourself becoming much more comfortable with it after you've used it a little more. You can practice with just hot water if you don't want to waste tea.

[Vulture]

Got my Gaiwan and some teas today. Just had a few questions:

1. I have a 150ml Gaiwan and use about 2-3 TBSP (per packaging of a White Peony I tried, gave a very dark color) for about one minute, tasted a bit strong. Was wondering if I should be using less as it's a relatively small Gaiwan?

2. Any tips on pouring? I had a lot of spillage

3. Anything else to know about a Gaiwan/brewing teas the "real" way? I loved my InginuiTEA, but I'm still pretty much a newb to loose leaf teas.

1. Don't brew for so long. My first infusion time is usualy 15 - 20 seconds for most teas. You should only need enough tea leaves as to cover the bottom on the gaiwan. Just play with the amount of tea and timing a little to make it right.

2. Put your fingers under the saucer, thumb on the top. Most the liquid should pour out nicely. Sometimes there are bad gaiwans that are horrible for poring.

3. I was the same way, I use the ingenuiTEA at work to get nice large cups of black tea. The thing is with the gaiwan you have more controll over the tea. You can get more steeps out of it (without getting full on tea). But the best thing for me is that you can play with timing each time to get a different flavored cup of tea!