Pretty middle of the road: I tend to find a formula that works and stick with it, but not meticulously.
Loving me some Yunnan Gold this morning.
Feb 21st, '09, 12:08
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silvermage2000
Feb 21st, '09, 12:22
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
I thought of this topic some time ago and was prompted by this discussion a few days ago.Chip wrote:This is something that I have thought about for sometime, years actually. I often thought am I too precise about brewing certain tea, taking art out of the preparation, and turning into a science with test tubes, scales, and thermometers.Woozl wrote:Ah, you are trying to make a science out of an art.esabet wrote:5) Ami I making a science out of something that is not?
-Doug- (merely an apprentice)
It just kind of hit me though, a painters brush stroke can be extremely planned and precise and still be art, and he/she may be very technical in order to acheive desired results. He would not call himself a scientist, but an artist. But there are elements of both science and art in his work.
Precision does not have to equal science, it simply comes down to the preparers mind set. Despite my apparent precision, I do not consider my precise brewing an act of science.
I am as always enjoying the posts by everyone. I think this topic, though it is about tea preparation, also helps us to know each other a little bit more ... and in some case confirms what we may already know. I see posters personalities surfacing.
Started the day with Yutaka Midori from O-Cha, last full session. Alas, I will not have this selection again til Shincha I am pretty sure. But there is still other YM breed leaf floating around here. I will miss this one nevertheless, as will SweeTea. Koi was very attentive and well behaved for a change. She is normally romping through the teaware disrupting the "art" that is taking place.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
I said "What the heck..." even though I sorta knew what you meant. 
My personal style is very laid-back. I am totally NOT Type-A, love to go with the flow, and rarely get stressed out by details. In tea, my exception to that is brewing greens, because I have found some discipline is absolutely necessary for really good results. Otherwise, I don't usually use thermometers, measuring cups, scales, or timers. So, science, not so much. I am a guesstimator and am happy with the results I get.
Art... also not so much. I don't know beans about Chinese tea ceremony. I don't have much zen atmosphere going on. I enjoy my pretty teaware, but my tea space is not fussy and my technique is not particularly graceful.
Speaking of NOT being graceful... I just got back from the urgent care center. I took a very hard fall this morning while taking one of the dogs out to potty at my mom's... fell hard on some brick steps going up to the front door... big bump on head, a deep laceration under my chin which required 4 stitches, lots of bumps/bruises/scrapes on arms and legs... blood all over the patio... it's been quite a morning. I sincerely doubt I'll be able to get outta bed tomorrow! I am recuperating on Mom's couch, drinking sencha, and feeling thankful I didn't break my nose or knock out some teeth when my head hit that brick step.
Happy Tea Day to all... and please watch your step.
Sarah
My personal style is very laid-back. I am totally NOT Type-A, love to go with the flow, and rarely get stressed out by details. In tea, my exception to that is brewing greens, because I have found some discipline is absolutely necessary for really good results. Otherwise, I don't usually use thermometers, measuring cups, scales, or timers. So, science, not so much. I am a guesstimator and am happy with the results I get.
Art... also not so much. I don't know beans about Chinese tea ceremony. I don't have much zen atmosphere going on. I enjoy my pretty teaware, but my tea space is not fussy and my technique is not particularly graceful.
Speaking of NOT being graceful... I just got back from the urgent care center. I took a very hard fall this morning while taking one of the dogs out to potty at my mom's... fell hard on some brick steps going up to the front door... big bump on head, a deep laceration under my chin which required 4 stitches, lots of bumps/bruises/scrapes on arms and legs... blood all over the patio... it's been quite a morning. I sincerely doubt I'll be able to get outta bed tomorrow! I am recuperating on Mom's couch, drinking sencha, and feeling thankful I didn't break my nose or knock out some teeth when my head hit that brick step.
Happy Tea Day to all... and please watch your step.
Sarah
***This organic blend is earthy & spicy, with a fragrant aroma & smooth flavor to captivate the senses. Naturally sweetened in the Kentucky sunshine & infused with natural energy. Equally delicious when served piping hot or crisply chilled.***
I will typically use a thermometer and sometimes more if I am looking to arouse a specific character from the leaves.
If it is a tea I frequently enjoy I will usually proceed with less tools, being more used to the variables.
With that in mind, I personally believe that even art has a science, and being a musician that does a lot of work on computers I have my belief brought to attention frequently.
To be more specific... I generally use more "science" when I drink greens, and especially when I make them in the morning.
aha.
If it is a tea I frequently enjoy I will usually proceed with less tools, being more used to the variables.
With that in mind, I personally believe that even art has a science, and being a musician that does a lot of work on computers I have my belief brought to attention frequently.
To be more specific... I generally use more "science" when I drink greens, and especially when I make them in the morning.
aha. 
Hmm... perhaps you are in need of a lucky charm?kymidwife wrote:I said "What the heck..." even though I sorta knew what you meant.
My personal style is very laid-back. I am totally NOT Type-A, love to go with the flow, and rarely get stressed out by details. In tea, my exception to that is brewing greens, because I have found some discipline is absolutely necessary for really good results. Otherwise, I don't usually use thermometers, measuring cups, scales, or timers. So, science, not so much. I am a guesstimator and am happy with the results I get.
Art... also not so much. I don't know beans about Chinese tea ceremony. I don't have much zen atmosphere going on. I enjoy my pretty teaware, but my tea space is not fussy and my technique is not particularly graceful.
Speaking of NOT being graceful... I just got back from the urgent care center. I took a very hard fall this morning while taking one of the dogs out to potty at my mom's... fell hard on some brick steps going up to the front door... big bump on head, a deep laceration under my chin which required 4 stitches, lots of bumps/bruises/scrapes on arms and legs... blood all over the patio... it's been quite a morning. I sincerely doubt I'll be able to get outta bed tomorrow! I am recuperating on Mom's couch, drinking sencha, and feeling thankful I didn't break my nose or knock out some teeth when my head hit that brick step.
Happy Tea Day to all... and please watch your step.
Sarah
Sarah: I hope that you feel better soon. Sencha is definitely a good pain reliever.
I am definitely more a tea artist. The idea of using a scale and measuring everything in a more scientific manner is not something that I would enjoy. I like the more artistic methods, mostly because they never result in the same cup of tea twice, but if the parameters are close enough to how I brewed the other cups of tea, the results are still tasty.
In my cup is the last of my sample of Adagio's gingerbread tea that I found in the bottom of my tea drawer. With a bit of fresh ginger root and some almond milk, it is good, but not spectacular.
I am definitely more a tea artist. The idea of using a scale and measuring everything in a more scientific manner is not something that I would enjoy. I like the more artistic methods, mostly because they never result in the same cup of tea twice, but if the parameters are close enough to how I brewed the other cups of tea, the results are still tasty.
In my cup is the last of my sample of Adagio's gingerbread tea that I found in the bottom of my tea drawer. With a bit of fresh ginger root and some almond milk, it is good, but not spectacular.
Thanks guys... and thanks Sal for the Lucky Charms... they're magically delicious. But on my end, they look suspiciously like ADVIL... my new best friend.
Sarah
But on my end, they look suspiciously like ADVIL... my new best friend.Sarah
***This organic blend is earthy & spicy, with a fragrant aroma & smooth flavor to captivate the senses. Naturally sweetened in the Kentucky sunshine & infused with natural energy. Equally delicious when served piping hot or crisply chilled.***
brilliant. +1Salsero wrote:I fully agree. Here you go, unfortunate one:10/6 wrote: Hmm... perhaps you are in need of a lucky charm?
You are now protected by The Force.
Mitch Hedberg- "Advil has a candy coating. It’s delicious. Then it says on the bottle, do not have more than two. Then why do they have a candy coating? I cannot help myself. Let me have ten Advil, I have a sweet tooth."
