Don't really know much about Nashua. It was in a few episodes of the the office! As for Fremont, I think you'd like being around there. There's a Daiso there, and you're not far from SF and San Jose. I think you'd love going into San Mateo as well.auggy wrote: Off topic question: Anyone live near Fremont, CA or Nashua, NH? I have the chance to go to one of these spots in June (NH) or July (CA) and am trying to figure out which to pick. I'm open to suggestions!
Finally hit 100 posts woooo 
Maybe... I havent tried enough teas to have a empyrean tea yet but one that does stand out to me more than any other so far is Lapsang Souchong.I think Lapsang will always have its place in my tea cabinet. I just love the smokey smell and taste thats so different than any other tea Ive had. It reminds me of a campfire smoke from camping trips which makes the experience so much more meaningful. Its funny because Lapsang was the first loose leaf tea I ever tried. What are the odds of the first tea I try being my favorite out of hundreds or thousands of teas
but the journey continues...
no tea yet until tonight
Maybe... I havent tried enough teas to have a empyrean tea yet but one that does stand out to me more than any other so far is Lapsang Souchong.I think Lapsang will always have its place in my tea cabinet. I just love the smokey smell and taste thats so different than any other tea Ive had. It reminds me of a campfire smoke from camping trips which makes the experience so much more meaningful. Its funny because Lapsang was the first loose leaf tea I ever tried. What are the odds of the first tea I try being my favorite out of hundreds or thousands of teas
but the journey continues...
no tea yet until tonight
May 15th, '09, 12:24
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auggy
Aw, yay! I don't think I've ever been accused of being eloquent before.geeber1 wrote:+1 on what Auggy said - in a much more eloquent way than I could have.
Yep, I just figured out how close to SF it is so I think that's going to be the winner. Got hit Nihonmachi.Pentox wrote:Don't really know much about Nashua. It was in a few episodes of the the office! As for Fremont, I think you'd like being around there. There's a Daiso there, and you're not far from SF and San Jose. I think you'd love going into San Mateo as well.
Teawise, I don't know of any interesting tea shops or tearooms in this part of New England. If you're after a destination that will offer a good tea experience then I don't think this is it. California might be a better choice. The last good tea party that we had here was over 200 years ago.Pentox wrote:Don't really know much about Nashua. It was in a few episodes of the the office! As for Fremont, I think you'd like being around there. There's a Daiso there, and you're not far from SF and San Jose. I think you'd love going into San Mateo as well.auggy wrote: Off topic question: Anyone live near Fremont, CA or Nashua, NH? I have the chance to go to one of these spots in June (NH) or July (CA) and am trying to figure out which to pick. I'm open to suggestions!
hehehebrlarson wrote: California might be a better choice. The last good tea party that we had here was over 200 years ago.
In my work cup this morning: Baozhong from Camellia Sinensis
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
There is a wonderful low tea at Swan's Cafe at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, where Cynthia Gold is the tea sommelier. Here is a URL to a video review http://www.necn.com/tvdiner/Jenny-Cam/J ... 82999.html
So, if you find yourself near Boston, tea at the Park Plaza is worth going out of your way for, but I don't think I would plan a trip just to go there.
So, if you find yourself near Boston, tea at the Park Plaza is worth going out of your way for, but I don't think I would plan a trip just to go there.
May 15th, '09, 13:03
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
I have had transcendent (not transcendental spiritually)) teas/moments throughout the 10+ years I have been drinking tea. At the time, the tea itself was the best I had ever had, a kind of "sit down and made me take notice" tea. Each time it was with my fave type of tea at that time.
There was a black one, then an oolong one, then a green oolong one, then a Chinese green one, and then a Japanese green one. And I am sure I will have many more.
Began the TeaDay with Magokoro organic from Yuuki-Cha which was outstanding. SweeTea also appreciated it, while Pyrit, Wulong, and TEAh visited the TeaTable.
Have a great TeaDay everyone.
There was a black one, then an oolong one, then a green oolong one, then a Chinese green one, and then a Japanese green one. And I am sure I will have many more.
Began the TeaDay with Magokoro organic from Yuuki-Cha which was outstanding. SweeTea also appreciated it, while Pyrit, Wulong, and TEAh visited the TeaTable.
Have a great TeaDay everyone.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Philosphical reservations.
Tea enjoyment has an element of 'happiness' that plays a significant role in the quality of the experience. The recounted experience of sub-par tea taken in a supremely beautiful setting is a classic example.
Another crucial factor is air or water quality, as they can dramatically affect tea taste. I'm working/living in temporary quarters with a heavy smoker. Even though this person now smokes outside, indoor air quality sucketh badly, and after just a few weeks of exposure, adversely affecting taste and smell (as well as inducing asthma-like symptoms).
Both setting and water quality, as well as innate emotional status, will affect perceived experience and it's memory. Although my parents used the same coffee and tea pot (and coffee and tea were toted as well) as that used at home when we went on vacation, the brewed results were exceptional, due to non-softened well water (so that iron was present in soft water as opposed to harder water sans iron due to ion-exchanger at home). Other family members reported the same experience, decades later.
I also find that my enjoyment of and preference for certain teas waxes and wanes with seasons, probably due to factors of sunlight/climate, air quality and physical activity/relative health status.
ABX asserts that indoor conditions at certain locations affects his brewing result and I have to agree with him that humidity (absolute, not relative) probably affects infusion volatility and subsequent taste/odor qualities.
In short, regardless of the tea and teaware, enjoyment of a particular tea may vary significantly over time due to other factors that heavily influence emotional satisfaction and sensory processing.
Ginger and lemon herbal tea in my cup this morning.
Another crucial factor is air or water quality, as they can dramatically affect tea taste. I'm working/living in temporary quarters with a heavy smoker. Even though this person now smokes outside, indoor air quality sucketh badly, and after just a few weeks of exposure, adversely affecting taste and smell (as well as inducing asthma-like symptoms).
Both setting and water quality, as well as innate emotional status, will affect perceived experience and it's memory. Although my parents used the same coffee and tea pot (and coffee and tea were toted as well) as that used at home when we went on vacation, the brewed results were exceptional, due to non-softened well water (so that iron was present in soft water as opposed to harder water sans iron due to ion-exchanger at home). Other family members reported the same experience, decades later.
I also find that my enjoyment of and preference for certain teas waxes and wanes with seasons, probably due to factors of sunlight/climate, air quality and physical activity/relative health status.
ABX asserts that indoor conditions at certain locations affects his brewing result and I have to agree with him that humidity (absolute, not relative) probably affects infusion volatility and subsequent taste/odor qualities.
In short, regardless of the tea and teaware, enjoyment of a particular tea may vary significantly over time due to other factors that heavily influence emotional satisfaction and sensory processing.
Ginger and lemon herbal tea in my cup this morning.
philosophically opposed
Chip, this is a great question.
I agree with everyone today, but I want to amplify that you should approach each cup without expectations and accept it for what it is, for what it tells you. There are big delights and little delights and if we listen carefully we may hear the whisper of master who crafted the tea.
Finished my everyday dancong this morning. Who knows what the afternoon will bring?
I agree with everyone today, but I want to amplify that you should approach each cup without expectations and accept it for what it is, for what it tells you. There are big delights and little delights and if we listen carefully we may hear the whisper of master who crafted the tea.
Finished my everyday dancong this morning. Who knows what the afternoon will bring?
Nihonmachi is in August this year though. I was going to point out that Fremont in July was gonna be on the warm side, but then I remembered you'd be coming off of a Texan summer, sooooo it'll be nice. You'll be a tad to early for the Viz J-pop center opening in Jtown.auggy wrote: Yep, I just figured out how close to SF it is so I think that's going to be the winner. Got hit Nihonmachi.
May 15th, '09, 14:53
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Geekgirl
I always go through phases...right now, Keemun is my top choice. But Early Grey has consistently been a tea I drink. I have had oolong, rooibos, and green phases. But I am always open to new teas and experiences.
So I am a double edged sword; I have my favorites and am open, but the next favorite may slice my head off.
Wuuuu
and
the IZ
So I am a double edged sword; I have my favorites and am open, but the next favorite may slice my head off.
Wuuuu
and
the IZ
May 15th, '09, 16:54
Posts: 388
Joined: Aug 15th, '08, 20:21
Location: British Columbia Canada
I remember having a some wuyi that I had just thrown together absently that blew me away with it's subtle overtones of peaches. I couldn't recreate the experience though. This also happens periodically with whatever sencha I am drinking in that i will produce a brew of particularly majestic qualities where I will savour every drop. The first time I brewed tie guan yin comes to mind as well.
I remember this happening with cigarettes when I used to smoke. 9 times out of ten the experience would be satisfying at best or like smoking dust bunnies at worst but occasionally the experience would be sublime.
I think our old friend Mr. brain chemistry is at work here. Then again, maybe it's the magic of tea flavonoids. Who knows.....
I remember this happening with cigarettes when I used to smoke. 9 times out of ten the experience would be satisfying at best or like smoking dust bunnies at worst but occasionally the experience would be sublime.
I think our old friend Mr. brain chemistry is at work here. Then again, maybe it's the magic of tea flavonoids. Who knows.....