Jun 3rd, '09, 10:52
Vendor Member
Posts: 2084
Joined: Sep 24th, '08, 18:38
Location: Boston, MA
This is hard to imagine 
Taste is very subjective. Aroma in one mouth may be interpreted as "grass soup" in another mouth
Besides, it depends if the good taste in a tea includes strong "tea taste". But then there are many different definitions of "tea taste".
I had a fabulous grocery DHP yesterday and will soon try a grocery green tea today. I don't expect to have so much good luck in just one grocery trip. But at least to me it's a new tea varietal (from Shandong, the north most tea province in China) to feed my curiosity
Taste is very subjective. Aroma in one mouth may be interpreted as "grass soup" in another mouth
Besides, it depends if the good taste in a tea includes strong "tea taste". But then there are many different definitions of "tea taste".
I had a fabulous grocery DHP yesterday and will soon try a grocery green tea today. I don't expect to have so much good luck in just one grocery trip. But at least to me it's a new tea varietal (from Shandong, the north most tea province in China) to feed my curiosity
By sitting in peace and doing nothing,
You make your one day worth two days.
You make your one day worth two days.
I'd want to go back home.
ToT Rainforest Strong Black this morning--not what I was expecting, but good. Smelled a bit like fruit loops as it brewed, and reminded me of Adagio's Ooooh Darjeeling in taste when brewed just off boil. Dropped the temp for a second steep, and it came out more like the vendor description:
ToT Rainforest Strong Black this morning--not what I was expecting, but good. Smelled a bit like fruit loops as it brewed, and reminded me of Adagio's Ooooh Darjeeling in taste when brewed just off boil. Dropped the temp for a second steep, and it came out more like the vendor description:
Earthy aroma, uplifting brew with flavor hints of black cherry and warm cane sugar.
+1!Trey Winston wrote:We'd have to get out of that universe, as it would obviously be the wrong one. Decaf tea being better than caf would be a dead giveaway, wouldn't it?
This morning I had some Oolong from Serenity Art in Portland. It's okay, but a bit too roasted for my taste - something good for the Oolong Pass, though!
If tea had no caffeine I think that would be awesome. It's a drug that no one really needs. Although with higher quality teas allowing for multiple infusions I rarely think about the caffeine content of tea at any time of the day since most of the caffeine will be expended within the first infusion.
I've actually been fantasizing about an oolong-like tisane that I could drink after 5 pm. I'm assuming that no such tisane exists, but if I'm wrong, please tell me so!
It's kinda perverse: I find making and drinking oolong so relaxing, the kind of thing I'd like to do after work, but I can't because of the caffeine. I read on a website that most of the caffeine is gone after the first infusion (a looooooooong first infusion, mind you--5 min!). Does that sound plausible to you all? Of course, one also wonders how much of the flavor and aroma are left after a 5 min infusion.
Here's the link to the site where I read about the 5 min first infusion reducing caffeine by 70% btw: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/oolong ... feine.html
It's kinda perverse: I find making and drinking oolong so relaxing, the kind of thing I'd like to do after work, but I can't because of the caffeine. I read on a website that most of the caffeine is gone after the first infusion (a looooooooong first infusion, mind you--5 min!). Does that sound plausible to you all? Of course, one also wonders how much of the flavor and aroma are left after a 5 min infusion.
Here's the link to the site where I read about the 5 min first infusion reducing caffeine by 70% btw: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/oolong ... feine.html
Jun 3rd, '09, 13:54
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
"we gotta get out of this place!!!"
When I want a virtual caffeine free tea, I break out "soggy leaf tea," the "remains of the TeaDay" and brew 4th and 5th steeps ... it is all I can do in the evening/night.
I am going to be rather contraire, but not a smart azz. Please feel free to disagree with me, after all this is a forum.
I happen to believe that part of the appeal to the vast majority of tea drinkers is some of the hidden components, one being caffeine. We drink tea, receive the reward, and return to it. I think if tea had taste only, we might find something else to be passionate about.
Yes, taste is critical or we would all just guzzle coffee and caffeinated energy drinks, so it is the combination of the appeal to the physical senses along with the underlying components affecting our physiology, etc that keeps many of us coming back again and again. In our society, we do not want to admit to anything that is remotely akin to addiction or habitual use.
One other consideration, perhaps the "bitter" taste of caffeine in tea adds an element that we like as well.
An analogy could be wine or spirits and alcohol.
OK, now you may feel free to disagree with me.
When I want a virtual caffeine free tea, I break out "soggy leaf tea," the "remains of the TeaDay" and brew 4th and 5th steeps ... it is all I can do in the evening/night.
I am going to be rather contraire, but not a smart azz. Please feel free to disagree with me, after all this is a forum.
I happen to believe that part of the appeal to the vast majority of tea drinkers is some of the hidden components, one being caffeine. We drink tea, receive the reward, and return to it. I think if tea had taste only, we might find something else to be passionate about.
Yes, taste is critical or we would all just guzzle coffee and caffeinated energy drinks, so it is the combination of the appeal to the physical senses along with the underlying components affecting our physiology, etc that keeps many of us coming back again and again. In our society, we do not want to admit to anything that is remotely akin to addiction or habitual use.
One other consideration, perhaps the "bitter" taste of caffeine in tea adds an element that we like as well.
An analogy could be wine or spirits and alcohol.
OK, now you may feel free to disagree with me.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Jun 3rd, '09, 13:59
Posts: 1777
Joined: Jun 4th, '08, 19:41
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Location: Stockport, England
Contact:
Herb_Master
Last week I posted photos of my first 'Blue For You' rose blooms, and the first solitary Canna.
Four days ago the Canna flower was finished, dead, gone. They last such a short time, but that is not a problem on an established plant, because more are quick to follow,
(click on the photo for enlargement, and a good view of the original dead flower)
but that was 4 days ago - they are all gone now
Only to be replaced by these
(click on the photo for enlargement, and a good view of the dead flower remains)
Note the Foxglove growing up in front!
The few 'Blue For You' Rose blooms are now an Abundance,
and the Pink Rose 'Madame Isaac Perreire' is starting to blossom.
(click on the photo for enlargement)
It looks like I will have a severe amount of dead heading to do soon, and then maybe some food.
Four days ago the Canna flower was finished, dead, gone. They last such a short time, but that is not a problem on an established plant, because more are quick to follow,
(click on the photo for enlargement, and a good view of the original dead flower)
but that was 4 days ago - they are all gone now
Only to be replaced by these
(click on the photo for enlargement, and a good view of the dead flower remains)
Note the Foxglove growing up in front!
The few 'Blue For You' Rose blooms are now an Abundance,
and the Pink Rose 'Madame Isaac Perreire' is starting to blossom.
(click on the photo for enlargement)
It looks like I will have a severe amount of dead heading to do soon, and then maybe some food.
You are wrong.Chip wrote:"we gotta get out of this place!!!"
When I want a virtual caffeine free tea, I break out "soggy leaf tea," the "remains of the TeaDay" and brew 4th and 5th steeps ... it is all I can do in the evening/night.
I am going to be rather contraire, but not a smart azz. Please feel free to disagree with me, after all this is a forum.
I happen to believe that part of the appeal to the vast majority of tea drinkers is some of the hidden components, one being caffeine. We drink tea, receive the reward, and return to it. I think if tea had taste only, we might find something else to be passionate about.
Yes, taste is critical or we would all just guzzle coffee and caffeinated energy drinks, so it is the combination of the appeal to the physical senses along with the underlying components affecting our physiology, etc that keeps many of us coming back again and again. In our society, we do not want to admit to anything that is remotely akin to addiction or habitual use.
One other consideration, perhaps the "bitter" taste of caffeine in tea adds an element that we like as well.
An analogy could be wine or spirits and alcohol.
OK, now you may feel free to disagree with me.
You do not speak for me sir.Blanket statements are risky and often fatal. I do not need to caffeine in tea and am quite happy without it.
But hey, I am not here to say that you do not think or speak for yourself. But don't lump me into your theories. It's ok that you are wrong.
Jun 3rd, '09, 14:02
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Began the TeaDay needing a little help from my caffeinated friend the tea leaf, and it was great! 
Takumi shincha from Zencha was reallllly great tasting, smelled awesome. The caffeine reminded me I did not wake up in an alternate universe. Enjoyed this tea in new/old Hagi cups that greatly enhanced the experience. I was joined by SweeTea, Pyrit, Gandalf, Wulong, and the Lil Bit.
Takumi shincha from Zencha was reallllly great tasting, smelled awesome. The caffeine reminded me I did not wake up in an alternate universe. Enjoyed this tea in new/old Hagi cups that greatly enhanced the experience. I was joined by SweeTea, Pyrit, Gandalf, Wulong, and the Lil Bit.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
No disagreement here.
Some of us drink tea for the cerebral boost; the undesirable effect of caffeine being countered (and it's positive effect augmented) by theanine in green and white tea and related compounds in other processed teas.
It can be a subtle effect or not (matcha for instance).
It can be a subtle effect or not (matcha for instance).
Jun 3rd, '09, 14:17
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Thank you for your response. However please read that I neither make a blanket statement nor include everyone in my observation. My statement is hardly dangerous nor fatal, however sticking one's head in the sand and not being open to other ideas, theories, observations clearly is dangerous and at times fatal.spot52 wrote:You are wrong.Chip wrote:... the appeal to the vast majority of tea drinkers is some of the hidden components, one being caffeine.
... keeps many of us coming back
OK, now you may feel free to disagree with me.
Blanket statements are risky and often fatal. I do not need to caffeine in tea and am quite happy without it.
But hey, I am not here to say that you do not think or speak for yourself. But don't lump me into your theories. It's ok that you are wrong.
I presented an opposing hypothesis that one can either embrace or not, but please keep it in the context and wording presented. Stating I am wrong is also very close minded, you dismissed my post in seconds ... you can express that you disagree, but then you need to prove I am actually wrong.
I am neither a scientist nor a physiologist, etc. I simply base my observations on my 10+ years experience of the study of tea.