Tuesday TeaDay 10/14/08 TeaChat helped you how?

[Smari]

I used to stick to only a small group of teas but now TC has encouraged me to try different kinds- which I'm glad.

This morning, started off with Ali shan. The rest of the day will be an Alishan day

[Geekgirl]

Salsero, that "stewing" pic is stunning.

[Victoria]

One thing I find interesting: I started off making 14oz mugs of tea. Now I'm wanting to move to smaller cups and have my tea a little at a time instead of all at once. It's because I have to rush to drink the mugful once it's cooled off to drinkable temp. I think I need to get a small teapot and a small cup and pour myself just a bit at a time...

Of course!!
<-----------------------Enabler!!

I started off with 15oz cups - that I still love and use, but most often now I brew in a glass pot (to enjoy the color) then pour small cups. That way you can enjoy a variety of small cups!! In other words - more teaware!!!

At work I mostly use my Hagi cup as I am enjoying watching it age.

In my Hagi work cup this morning - ToT Green Dragon Oolong

[eor1122]

"Help to narrow your TeaMenu so you were able to focus on fewer teas?"

Fewer teas???? yeah right.....
I started to keep a spread sheet to keep track of what I have, what I've tried and what I thought of it. I now have over 60 different varieties/flavors of tea.

[Maitre_Tea]

Wait, has anyone noticed this? This Thread says 1014/08...didn't know there were that many months in the year

[Beidao]

Right! Let me know when this service becomes available. Like a starving Minnesotan at a Smörgåsbord, I need it!

You did not write smorgasbord Which is kind of wonderful in my eyes!

[Cinnamon Kitty]

This poll really needed an all of the above method, except for narrowing my TeaMenu. Primarily, when I first joined TeaChat, I got a lot of encouragement to try new teas. Back then, the only greens that I knew were from tea bags or flavored, oolongs were in Chinese restaurants, and black teas were incredibly bitter. I've learned a lot since then, especially the diversity of green teas, the awesomeness of oolongs, and that black teas are not bad when you steep them for less than 20 minutes. I've also enjoyed the tea ware that I ended up with through the help of the forum. My 16oz mug and tea-ball have been happily replaced with two kyusu, one gaiwan, one glass teapot, infuser baskets, and smaller teacups.

Currently drinking some awesome sencha.

[caligatia]

I started off with 15oz cups - that I still love and use, but most often now I brew in a glass pot (to enjoy the color) then pour small cups. That way you can enjoy a variety of small cups!! In other words - more teaware!!!

I'm not a teaware fiend (yet), but I must admit I'm looking forward to shopping for a little cup and pot...

[Chip]

Wait, has anyone noticed this? This Thread says 1014/08...didn't know there were that many months in the year

That is "TeaDate" format ...

I finally figured out Kunpu shincha after around 90% of the bag is gone. Hotter water and less leaf. I wonder if this is better for asamushicha in general?

[Shelob]

Slurping on oolong # 40 this afternoon, this is one of my favs for just chillin'.

Listsening to some CSN, wow could they harmonize or what? Wasted on the Way, great lyrics!

Later, not sure I will keep you posted! Enjoy your afternoon onTeaDay!

[Trioxin]

Thanks for the photo's Sal. Beautiful as always.

[horsencl]

I voted for "To simply help learn more about tea" but I really could have voted for most of the options. I've learned new brewing techniques, tried new teas and new styles of teaware. I never even heard of gaiwans or yixings before teachat. The only one I can't vote for is narrowing the tea menu. As evidenced by my overflowing tea shelves, I have really expanded my tea menu . Nothing special in the tea cup today, just some Mighty Leaf bagged tea to hold me over until I get home from class tonight.

[UncleIroh]

teachat has helped me out in every way mentioned above to some degree or another, by being here to satisfy my compulsive and insatiable need to read about tea. as a subject for research and reading, it's something i find unusually easy to immerse myself in. i seek out tea books in local bookshops and pour over websites--in fact, i feel like i'm lacking something if i don't read about tea on a daily basis, as well as drink it. i don't yet know where it's leading me or what it wants to teach me, but i tend to indulge these compulsions/passions of mine when they come along, because they usually take me someplace interesting that i might not've gotten to otherwise. so far it's led me to history and fiction, to kyusu & chawan collecting, to improved health and peace of mind (at least a little). and teachat helps keep the fire burning under all of that.
~sean

[olivierco]

I finally figured out Kunpu shincha after around 90% of the bag is gone. Hotter water and less leaf. I wonder if this is better for asamushicha in general?

I don't think so.

Rooibos to end the day.

[Chip]

I finally figured out Kunpu shincha after around 90% of the bag is gone. Hotter water and less leaf. I wonder if this is better for asamushicha in general?

I don't think so.

well, you would never say less leaf!!!! I just did the math, pretty much a standard ratio for me for many sencha, .7 grams per ounce (I usually use .7-1 gram depending on the sencha), but went with 175* in a preheated kyusu, around 5-15* hotter than most higher grade sencha.

I recall, Den discussing this and saying this one likes it hotter. I was actually shocked how good it was this way. I typically think more leaf for asamushi. Live and learn.

I need a greeen tea now ... hmmm ...