Thursday TeaDay 3/26/09 Tea Experiments IV Defy convention?

[olivierco]

#2

Kanro gyokuro in a few minutes.

[Pentox]

I've got some tungting winter oolong goin' on in my cup right now.

From Lupicia.

[Salsero]

Adagio Yunnan Noir here.

[scruffmcgruff]

I don't know if I'm defying teachat wisdom or just general tea wisdom, but I tend to boil the crap out of my water. It's not intentional or anything, I just don't pay too much attention to the re-boil on my kettle.

[Nexius8510]

I tend to usually stick with the advice I get from the brilliant minds we have here

This morning I was pleasantly surprised! I'm on my first infusion of a TGY King from FunAlliance! After a quick rinse I smelled the leaves, and was shocked. It was very weird but, if my eyes were closed, I would have sworn there was a bowl of mashed potatoes and butter in front of my face. The tea is quite good though! The website said the flavor content was "high" but quite honestly it's a bit mild but there's a bit of a vegetal tone which is quite delicious which a nice floral aroma of the liquor itself. Also, reminiscent of the smell, there's almost a buttery texture to it. The only problem I'm seeing is there is a bit of a weird aftertaste with the tea, but, I guess that means I'll just have to drink more tea to get rid of it

[Victoria]

In my work cup: some nice Rou Gui from Jing Tea Shop
Better than most.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I follow my own drum every so often, but do take into account brewing ideas from TeaChat too. Most of my defiance is from brewing most teas in my glazed kyusu or Pyrex measuring cups on occasion or deviating a bit on brewing parameters. I have learned that not only can the kyusu make good green tea, but it works just as well for a black or a western brewed oolong.

Currently in my cup is Valentines with almond milk and honey.

[CutieAgouti]

I try to follow all of the advice given here since I've just really begun scratching the surface of teas

But if I don't have the time or money (for tea-ware), then I do what I can. Once I'm more comfortable with what I know I bet I'll deviate from the norm

I started off my morning with a ceylon but I'm afraid my water quality isn't good, it tastes really odd

Have a great day everyone!

[Intuit]

TC convention weighs heavily towards Chinese and Japanese teas, gongfu/Eastern style tea brewing of tea.

Western teaware has it's own venerable history (almost 250 years) that is largely ignored here, a pity because it's every bit as beautiful and functional in design as Asian teaware.

Scots breakfast tea was had this morning. Keemun superior coming up, then a bit of sencha.

[Geekgirl]

I'm generally pretty "correct" in my teaware/brewing parameters, although I certainly don't do full-scale gongfu, or ceremonial style brewing. But I try to match appropriate teaware with the leaf I've chosen for my morning (or afternoon) tea.

I do, occasionally, break the rules and use my "Perfect Teamaker" (Teavana's less "perfect" version of the IngenuiTea.) It seems to really do the trick for quick iced tea, or tea-to-go. I worry a bit about the BPA, but don't use it often.

This morning, naturally, started out with some Matcha. Moving on to Jasmine Pearl, which I've been craving lately. So much that I've almost depleted my usually impressive supply.





Sal, natural light in today's photo? It's really lovely.

[Dreamer]

Hi All,

I definitely defy convention...I almost always combine multiple (3) steeps of whatever Japanese green I'm drinking in my enameled tetsubin, put it on my cast iron warmer, and pour small cups till it is all gone. After that I may even combine a 4th and 5th steep.

I should say that when I get something new, I usually try to find out what the "conventional" parameters are and use those parameters a time or two.

So far today I've only gotten to enjoy some of my special Ceylon. Right now I'm enjoying a 3rd steep (how unconventional!).

I'm thinking some mmmmmatcha is up next.

As always, it is so interesting to see all the answers here on the tea poll.

Smiles to you,
Dreamer

[Chip]

I came into TeaChat being a fairly experienced teadrinker for 7 years. However, I am always learning and am able to apply a lot of TeaChat wisdom and knowledge to my brewing, buying, etc.

I have actually picked up a few tips in the last few days that I have already begun to experiment with. I like to able to pick up useful info here, but it must also then work for me, which it often does.

Started the TeaDay with a blend of dribs and drabs of several sencha that are good on their own. The blend was pretty good, and I just brewed a 6th steep with room temp water and it still had a nice sweet gentle quality to it. My wife was able to join in along with Pyrit who was a general pest at the TeaTable.

is long overdue ... plan to correct this immediately.

[Nexius8510]

I am humbled that even the great and wise Chip still learns from some of us underlings.

Got about 8 good steeps out of the TGY King from FunAlliance. I'm currently going to have my second steep of Sakura Sencha!

[olivierco]

Rooibos to end the day.

[Salsero]

Sal, natural light in today's photo?

Dream on! The only thing natural about me is the glint off my bald pate!

Thanks for sharing yet another stunning image, GGU. Do you holster that thing on one of those chasen stands to keep the end curl so nice?