Wednesday TeaDay 9/16/09 Tea Lessons?

[Riene]

I'd like to learn a bit about greens and whites. I'm not sure as to what temp/volume/steeping time I should use, and tbh, I don't have the money to experiment.

I bought a cup of matcha this summer from a place (which shall be nameless) that purports to know what they're doing with tea. It was undrinkable--gritty, bitter, like it had been made from stewed grass clippings scraped from under an old lawnmower. Surely matcha doesn't normally taste like that? I'd like to taste a cup of matcha that you all brewed!

[chamekke]

I don't know a thing about puehr and wouldn't mind exploring it at some point. Truth be told, I wouldn't even know where to begin. There's no hurry, though... I still have plenty of other teas in the house to drink in the meantime.

Riene, I wonder if the matcha you had was old - or maybe just substandard? I've found that most of the matcha available locally is either stale (almost no one seems to refrigerate it prior to opening) and/or simply not very good quality. Such a pity, as I think people should have a fantastic first experience of matcha!

[Victoria]

Victoria, yesterday I tried brewing that Camellia Sinensis Darjeeling oolong Gopaldara Wt-1 1st flush differently from my usual. I did NOT preheat the mug (as Chip has brainwashed me to do by default) and got a vastly improved brew. It had a tremendous, thick feel in the mouth (which I love) and good aroma. The taste was sweet and fruity with a nice dose of acidity (= tartness). It went an easy six infusions in my mug with infuser basket. Just as they say, this is a "Wonder Tea."

Glad you liked it. As I have said it is my favorite FF of 2009. Nicely oolongish ... in a Darjeeling sort of way.

Not much tea today, another crazy work day.

But I have a little delivery slip from Japan waiting for me here.
Hummmm ... more Hagi?

[Salsero]

As I have said it is my favorite FF of 2009.

My quandry is this: if it is a Darjeeling oolong, is it a First Flush Darjeeling? Generally, First Flush Darjeelings are considered black tea (a whole can of worms, I know).

[Chip]

I did NOT preheat the mug (as Chip has brainwashed me to do by default) and got a vastly improved brew. It had a tremendous, thick feel in the mouth (which I love) and good aroma. The taste was sweet and fruity with a nice dose of acidity (= tartness). It went an easy six infusions in my mug with infuser basket. Just as they say, this is a "Wonder Tea."

Yes, Sal, you still have to adjust to the tea! As we have been discussing in several other topics tonight it seems, I often do not preheat, and then I will use hotter water, for greens obviously.

Once again we are reminded that there is no rule of thumb in brewing tea.

Greatest TeaDay. Matcha with DW in a new ShyRabbit Chawan, Genmaicha at our local Sushi/Sashimi hangout, and finally Gyokuro to finish the TD.

[Victoria]

As I have said it is my favorite FF of 2009.

My quandry is this: if it is a Darjeeling oolong, is it a First Flush Darjeeling? Generally, First Flush Darjeelings are considered black tea (a whole can of worms, I know).

Yes it is a mystery what to label it. It is Darjeeling and it is a FF. The lower oxidation and processing makes it oolongish. But although it has oolong qualities, this is definitely "Darjeeling" in my book. Camellia Sinensis lists it under "Wulong". All I know is it is a beautiful thing:

http://camellia-sinensis.com/tea/fiche/ ... +1st+flush

[geeber1]

Whatever it is, it's GOOD!