Well, I really don't know because I found here good advices in quite all categories.
I thought Teachat made me try matcha but after checking my tea orders, I found out that I ordered matcha for the first time the day just before I found Teachat, so I would say the best advices I got from Teachat were about japanese teawares.
Kanro gyokuro in a few minutes
I thought Teachat made me try matcha but after checking my tea orders, I found out that I ordered matcha for the first time the day just before I found Teachat, so I would say the best advices I got from Teachat were about japanese teawares.
Kanro gyokuro in a few minutes
Mar 30th, '09, 13:22
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Being around here almost 3 years, it is pretty challenging trying to pick out one aspect, let alone getting specific 
However, given my current state of teawares, and specifically Hagi, I will go with About specific "types" of teaware. But I reserve the right to change this. I have received very helpful advice on all of the above.
Started the day of with a bang. Fukamushi Supreme from O-Cha. Wowza, good. Can't wait for shincha of this one! SweeTea certainly agreed. Pyrit, Wulong, Gandalf, and TEAh stopped by the TeaTable.
Next up, a Ryu Mei organic matcha, Spring Harvest or something like that. Down side
olive color and could NOT get it to froth, period!!! Weird. It tasted ok, but the overall experience was less than enticing.
However, given my current state of teawares, and specifically Hagi, I will go with About specific "types" of teaware. But I reserve the right to change this. I have received very helpful advice on all of the above.
Started the day of with a bang. Fukamushi Supreme from O-Cha. Wowza, good. Can't wait for shincha of this one! SweeTea certainly agreed. Pyrit, Wulong, Gandalf, and TEAh stopped by the TeaTable.
Next up, a Ryu Mei organic matcha, Spring Harvest or something like that. Down side
olive color and could NOT get it to froth, period!!! Weird. It tasted ok, but the overall experience was less than enticing.
Loads and loads of good advice here - so much that it is probably impossible to pin down the best. Some tidbits off the top of my head: a discussion topic I started about aging teas, and coming to understand which elements seem to leave the tea first in the aging process and its results (smokiness dissipates first, hence the tea become more sweet and mellow because this helps the sweet notes make up a greater proportion) ... still have to try more experiments 
; betta's information regarding bubbles and oils in the tea (thank you again); my endless questions about yixing vs. chaojo pots to BearsBearsBears and my endless questions period to Beekeeper, Brandon and especially Tim (who never escapes being put in the role of teacher)....and everybody's advice on where, how and what teas to buy!
and oh my gosh the hagi-ware, teacups, gaiwans and the contest photos! (now remembering some things to die for)
Edit: I forgot to mention the TeaMap, which I have found to be a really fun way to explore new tea shops.
; betta's information regarding bubbles and oils in the tea (thank you again); my endless questions about yixing vs. chaojo pots to BearsBearsBears and my endless questions period to Beekeeper, Brandon and especially Tim (who never escapes being put in the role of teacher)....and everybody's advice on where, how and what teas to buy!and oh my gosh the hagi-ware, teacups, gaiwans and the contest photos! (now remembering some things to die for)
Edit: I forgot to mention the TeaMap, which I have found to be a really fun way to explore new tea shops.
Last edited by Janine on Mar 31st, '09, 13:11, edited 1 time in total.
Mar 30th, '09, 17:01
Posts: 495
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Location: midwest, Sanibel wannabe
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Dreamer
Well, as far as specific advice, I'd have to say that has been about sources...for both tea and tea ware, but I also know that I've absorbed a lot of knowledge about brewing different teas too. Just the repeated refrain that amount of leaf, time, and temp can make a drastic difference in the result, is valuable knowledge...if at first you don't succeed try try again!!
Started the day with my everyday Ceylon at breakfast with my son. Second steep when with me to work in my travel mug.
At work my tea buddy made mate vana...it went very nicely with the array of birthday treats that some dear friends had brought for me (they were trying to take the sting out of all the "over the hill" signs they had posted all around).
This afternoon I'm having Kabusecha. I fear I will be out of Japanese greens before sincha time...may have to make an order before then.
Sal, the photo you shared with us today is breathtaking! Where can I get a brewing vessel like that one??
Happy Monday,
Dreamer
Started the day with my everyday Ceylon at breakfast with my son. Second steep when with me to work in my travel mug.
At work my tea buddy made mate vana...it went very nicely with the array of birthday treats that some dear friends had brought for me (they were trying to take the sting out of all the "over the hill" signs they had posted all around).
This afternoon I'm having Kabusecha. I fear I will be out of Japanese greens before sincha time...may have to make an order before then.
Sal, the photo you shared with us today is breathtaking! Where can I get a brewing vessel like that one??
Happy Monday,
Dreamer
For Sal: gorgeous glass, and tea leaves and pic and the entire photo mood!!
I discovered Teachat in search for specific "types" of teaware and teapot use and choice advice but then I decided to visit regularly for all the rest ... and still strolling about so many different topics to satisfy my need for info and advice!
Thanks to everybody!
Tried this not so impressive sample of Dong Yang Dong Bay
chinese green and now in my cup Ti Kuan Yin d'Or from Mariage Frères
I discovered Teachat in search for specific "types" of teaware and teapot use and choice advice but then I decided to visit regularly for all the rest ... and still strolling about so many different topics to satisfy my need for info and advice!
Thanks to everybody!
Tried this not so impressive sample of Dong Yang Dong Bay
chinese green and now in my cup Ti Kuan Yin d'Or from Mariage Frères
Happy Birthday Dreamer!
My first choice was for information on specific teas. Like some others here, I have learned a lot about greens and am actually able to enjoy some of them now!
As usual, there was a specific reason for coming to TeaChat, but the fellowship keeps me coming back.
Salsero, I love the pink knobs on that pot! Do you care to share where it came from?
My first choice was for information on specific teas. Like some others here, I have learned a lot about greens and am actually able to enjoy some of them now!
As usual, there was a specific reason for coming to TeaChat, but the fellowship keeps me coming back.
Salsero, I love the pink knobs on that pot! Do you care to share where it came from?
Folks at TC have taught me so much. Probably the most appreciated are suggestions on brewing, learning that not all teas, even within the same variety, are brewed the same.
For years it was a bag in hot water (OK, admittedly that still happens when I'm in a desperate situation). But enjoy the nuances especially of whites and oolongs by varying time and temp and leaf amounts.
Started the day with Adagio's Ginger Black tea, and at the office have pretty well run through all the steeps of Adagio's Ali Shan.
For years it was a bag in hot water (OK, admittedly that still happens when I'm in a desperate situation). But enjoy the nuances especially of whites and oolongs by varying time and temp and leaf amounts.
Started the day with Adagio's Ginger Black tea, and at the office have pretty well run through all the steeps of Adagio's Ali Shan.
"Top off the tea... it lubricates the grey matter."
(Jerry Ledbetter, "Good Neighbors")
(Jerry Ledbetter, "Good Neighbors")
Mar 30th, '09, 19:01
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
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Location: Gainesville, Florida
Dreamer wrote: Sal, the photo you shared with us today is breathtaking! Where can I get a brewing vessel like that one??
Happy Birthday, Dreamer!geeber1 wrote: Salsero, I love the pink knobs on that pot! Do you care to share where it came from?
The pot you inquire about (and a lot of other cool glass) can be had from Dragon Tea House. It holds 5 oz or 140 ml filled right to the brim.
Mar 30th, '09, 19:58
Posts: 508
Joined: Apr 1st, '08, 12:43
Location: united states IL.
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silvermage2000
The best advice was definitely about specific teas. I wanted good Japanese greens, so I asked questions and bothered people in IM for a bit. I first ended up with Den's green tea starter kit and had to figure out if it was worth just getting a pound of tea that I really liked. That answer was obviously no, but the conversations definitely helped to introduce me to the wondrous world of Japanese greens.
Oddly enough, I am drinking Den's Fuka-Midori while I type this. That was the first green that I fell in love with and had considered buying the entire pound of tea. As I drink it now, it is tasty, but not as spectacular as I remember it to be the first time I tried it.
Oddly enough, I am drinking Den's Fuka-Midori while I type this. That was the first green that I fell in love with and had considered buying the entire pound of tea. As I drink it now, it is tasty, but not as spectacular as I remember it to be the first time I tried it.