One of the voting options should have been, "No, but I need to get that way." I am far too lazy about every aspect of brewing. I am hoping to start a tea shop and really need to whip myself into shape if I'm going to do it. I've loved tea for years but have never really taken the time to properly educate myself on brewing and teaware (mind you, I know the basics). This site sure has been a wake up call and an education!!!
Jan 15th, '09, 15:04
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I am very much obsessed with the "tea dance" of green tea, and can't stop staring at the tea leaves moving and extending in the cup.
Even for oolong, before cleaning my teapot, I would always grab out the tea leaves and examine them. Not so much for critical evaluation, but mostly out of habit of leaf obsession
And it's a obsessive non-obsession that I stay as far away as possible from scales and thermometers
Even for oolong, before cleaning my teapot, I would always grab out the tea leaves and examine them. Not so much for critical evaluation, but mostly out of habit of leaf obsession
And it's a obsessive non-obsession that I stay as far away as possible from scales and thermometers
obsessive in the art of enjoyment, perhaps. generally i like to have either quiet, solitary tea sessions or friendly, jovial tea-sharing sessions with compaby. Nothing in between. i generally lean towards the former, though.
Nick, i just ordered a hagi yunomi that i am very excited about. i think i'll use this one exclusively for my japanese teas. i love the wabi-sabi aesthetic aspect. i hear they age well...in my cup at the moment is some ice-brewed sencha that was brewed in the usual hagi kyusu and now displayed in the hagi cup.
I am less and less obsessed about brewing tea. I nevertheless quite always use a scale (because I don't want to use more leaves than needed: if I can get 20 excellent sessions from a 100g package why would I want to get only 18 by risking to use too many leaves?) and check the water temperature only for the first steep which is a big improvement...
Concerning the tea itself, I am more and more obsessed about quality (but it is the same for my food).
Darjeeling Risheehat SFTGFOP1 before dinner and Ippodo Kaboku sencha a few minutes ago.
Concerning the tea itself, I am more and more obsessed about quality (but it is the same for my food).
Darjeeling Risheehat SFTGFOP1 before dinner and Ippodo Kaboku sencha a few minutes ago.
Last edited by olivierco on Jan 15th, '09, 16:08, edited 1 time in total.
Jan 15th, '09, 15:55
Posts: 84
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Contact:
brianlavelle
I'm probably a little obsessed, like olivierco, about measuring amount of leaf and I will check temperature with sencha and gyokuro. I don't want to waste tea by using too much, nor to scorching it with too high a temperature.
But I also really enjoy the experience of those little rituals, before I get to taste; so perhaps it's not an obsession, more a pleasurable necessity.
But I also really enjoy the experience of those little rituals, before I get to taste; so perhaps it's not an obsession, more a pleasurable necessity.
Jan 15th, '09, 16:24
Posts: 470
Joined: Sep 29th, '08, 08:49
Location: Floating blissfully in a bowl of Matcha
Have been battling a horrendously horrific migraine for the last 2 days, first tea I was able to keep down was some genmai a few minutes ago. Still feel 'queasy' and the screen on computer is playing games w/my eyes, so I'll be back later with a real post 
Have a FAB TeaDay everyone... well evening
Have a FAB TeaDay everyone... well evening
Have a FAB TeaDay Everyone!
Ritual corrects sloppy habits that yield unhappy results. However, when it supplants enjoyment of the end product, its an unhealthy OCD like behavior.
People who have lots of collections that have been the center of previous obsessions, and then are dropped for some new interest - that is indicative of a neurochemical imbalance.
For that, we have a little cure: inositol. Not the hexaphosphate form - thats a very bioactive biological cycle end product that we don't want to fool around with. Nope, we want an intermediate in the same pathway.
You want a second compound, trimethylglycine, also called betaine anydrous, to go with it.
Each supplies methyl donors that correct for a variety of biochemical pathway shortages. Why? Because methylation is perhaps the most important structural modification of various important compounds that are important to cellular function. Its used to change the surface charge characteristic of these key compounds. Keys them in for the next step in the pathway in which they are being cycled through.
In the case of inositol, it plays a central effect is to support serotonin production/release. Serotonin works in tandem with dopamine, and these are central to higher brain functions (reasoning, decision-making/risk taking, etc.).
In the case of TMG, it counters histamine release in the stomach, and that plays a very central role in choline and acetylcholine production/release.
Betaine (TMG) is the next step in acetylcholine, from choline. So if you have a shortage of choline (say, from crappy diet, shortage of vegetable matter), then you will have problems with anxiety. Acetylcholine might be described as being central to lower CNS function, like nerve excitation behind secretions release, muscle activity, and to an extent, emotions.
Too little serotonin also results in anxiety. OCD is an behavior associated with anxiety, offsetting it by shifting attention from external causes to an internal preoccupation. This unhealthy preoccupation can be mild or it can be all consuming.
Now caffeine (and related stimulants) will cause the release of actylcholine, a very important neurotransmitter.
It also stimulates release of cortisol, and that is our central stress "fight or flight" hormone.
Its possible that ingestion of large amounts of tea that is NOT offset by coupled ingestion of large amounts of theanine that counters caffeine-like compounds in tea, might deplete acetylcholine. It is known to interfere with an important B-vitamin, thiamine (you don't make it, you take it up through diet). Mild thiamine shortage has symptoms that include CNS effects, including anxiety.
So we come round robin to why, despite the intake of our friend, theanine in tea, we might find ourselves fixating on tea consumption, making and its tools.
Stephane remarks on this occasionally in his blog: that there is a difference between careful analysis of tea and the time when one partakes for pure enjoyment. They have differing goals and levels of attention to detail.
Experimenting a bit with sencha this afternoon; a Nilgiri started my day.
People who have lots of collections that have been the center of previous obsessions, and then are dropped for some new interest - that is indicative of a neurochemical imbalance.
For that, we have a little cure: inositol. Not the hexaphosphate form - thats a very bioactive biological cycle end product that we don't want to fool around with. Nope, we want an intermediate in the same pathway.
You want a second compound, trimethylglycine, also called betaine anydrous, to go with it.
Each supplies methyl donors that correct for a variety of biochemical pathway shortages. Why? Because methylation is perhaps the most important structural modification of various important compounds that are important to cellular function. Its used to change the surface charge characteristic of these key compounds. Keys them in for the next step in the pathway in which they are being cycled through.
In the case of inositol, it plays a central effect is to support serotonin production/release. Serotonin works in tandem with dopamine, and these are central to higher brain functions (reasoning, decision-making/risk taking, etc.).
In the case of TMG, it counters histamine release in the stomach, and that plays a very central role in choline and acetylcholine production/release.
Betaine (TMG) is the next step in acetylcholine, from choline. So if you have a shortage of choline (say, from crappy diet, shortage of vegetable matter), then you will have problems with anxiety. Acetylcholine might be described as being central to lower CNS function, like nerve excitation behind secretions release, muscle activity, and to an extent, emotions.
Too little serotonin also results in anxiety. OCD is an behavior associated with anxiety, offsetting it by shifting attention from external causes to an internal preoccupation. This unhealthy preoccupation can be mild or it can be all consuming.
Now caffeine (and related stimulants) will cause the release of actylcholine, a very important neurotransmitter.
It also stimulates release of cortisol, and that is our central stress "fight or flight" hormone.
Its possible that ingestion of large amounts of tea that is NOT offset by coupled ingestion of large amounts of theanine that counters caffeine-like compounds in tea, might deplete acetylcholine. It is known to interfere with an important B-vitamin, thiamine (you don't make it, you take it up through diet). Mild thiamine shortage has symptoms that include CNS effects, including anxiety.
So we come round robin to why, despite the intake of our friend, theanine in tea, we might find ourselves fixating on tea consumption, making and its tools.
Stephane remarks on this occasionally in his blog: that there is a difference between careful analysis of tea and the time when one partakes for pure enjoyment. They have differing goals and levels of attention to detail.
Experimenting a bit with sencha this afternoon; a Nilgiri started my day.
Jan 15th, '09, 16:45
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Snowy Poppet thinks the matcha powder looks like Mt Fuji.
Lady Latte would like to know when more appropriate beverages will be forthcoming.
Latte: "hmph. tea again."
Snowy: "I like tea."
Latte: "I may be persuaded to a taste."
Snowy: "Tradition is wonderful."
Latte: "I prefer modernization. Beans are the future!"
Snowy: *sigh* "Kids these days..."
Lady Latte would like to know when more appropriate beverages will be forthcoming.
Latte: "hmph. tea again."
Snowy: "I like tea."
Latte: "I may be persuaded to a taste."
Snowy: "Tradition is wonderful."
Latte: "I prefer modernization. Beans are the future!"
Snowy: *sigh* "Kids these days..."
Jan 15th, '09, 16:47
Posts: 84
Joined: Feb 18th, '08, 19:05
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Contact:
brianlavelle
Intriguing post. I'm not sure that what you describe as the "careful analysis of tea" and pure enjoyment are mutually exclusive, are they?Intuit wrote:So we come round robin to why, despite the intake of our friend, theanine in tea, we might find ourselves fixating on tea consumption, making and its tools.
Stephane remarks on this occasionally in his blog: that there is a difference between careful analysis of tea and the time when one partakes for pure enjoyment. They have differing goals and levels of attention to detail.
Jan 15th, '09, 17:09
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic were intended to "be fun" and an opportunity to share and learn a little about each other and our habits and our enjoyment of tea. It is an ongoing sourse of sharing each others TeaJourneys. Perhaps I should have placed aIntuit wrote:Ritual corrects sloppy habits that yield unhappy results. However, when it supplants enjoyment of the end product, its an unhealthy OCD like behavior.
after the words Obsessive and/or compulsive, and please note, I did not place the word disorder nor make mention of OCD. Part of our enjoyment, and apparent obsession is "passion" for tea. We could do much much worse.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Jan 15th, '09, 17:11
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Hey, I think I see my TeaCaveGeekgirlUnveiled wrote:Snowy Poppet thinks the matcha powder looks like Mt Fuji.
Lady Latte would like to know when more appropriate beverages will be forthcoming.
Latte: "hmph. tea again."
Snowy: "I like tea."
Latte: "I may be persuaded to a taste."
Snowy: "Tradition is wonderful."
Latte: "I prefer modernization. Beans are the future!"
Snowy: *sigh* "Kids these days..."
Thanks for the light moment, Geek.
Agreed, the topic isn't meant to convey that we are all obsessed with teas. I am suggesting that a few individuals are, shall we say, genetically/lifestyle (diet, poor sleep, excessive stress) predisposed towards OCD like behaviors. However, with any hobby that has a chemical exposure component, its possible to chemically encourage this tendency to manifest as abnormal behaviors/addiction.
Agreed we could do 'much worse' in our minor obsessions, Chip.
Careful analysis and tea enjoyment are mutually exclusive activities, when we are so busy analyzing and comparing small details that we forget to allot time to enjoy the overall experience. The first replaces the second.
Normally, they aren't mutually exclusive. We may analyze first, and then repeat the experience for the pleasure of it, and also to 'educate our palate' to complex odor and taste notes.
A very good example of overanalysis ruining enjoyment lies in another hobby, high-end audio (although it might just as well apply to dozens of special interests). Audio geeks will spend hours analyzing their equipment, its placement and various tweeks meant to improve sound qualities, without actually spending time sitting down to enjoy the listening experience. They never 'get to the point' of enjoyment of their efforts, because the never-ending analysis process detracts from emotional and intellectual enjoyment of the music.
They are waiting for Godot.
~~
I have micro-turtles as my 'poppets' (aka, minor household deities).
They are thankfully silent, offering good natured support to my tea-making abilities.
Or maybe, its just that I don't comprehend Turtlese.
Agreed we could do 'much worse' in our minor obsessions, Chip.
Careful analysis and tea enjoyment are mutually exclusive activities, when we are so busy analyzing and comparing small details that we forget to allot time to enjoy the overall experience. The first replaces the second.
Normally, they aren't mutually exclusive. We may analyze first, and then repeat the experience for the pleasure of it, and also to 'educate our palate' to complex odor and taste notes.
A very good example of overanalysis ruining enjoyment lies in another hobby, high-end audio (although it might just as well apply to dozens of special interests). Audio geeks will spend hours analyzing their equipment, its placement and various tweeks meant to improve sound qualities, without actually spending time sitting down to enjoy the listening experience. They never 'get to the point' of enjoyment of their efforts, because the never-ending analysis process detracts from emotional and intellectual enjoyment of the music.
They are waiting for Godot.
~~
I have micro-turtles as my 'poppets' (aka, minor household deities).
They are thankfully silent, offering good natured support to my tea-making abilities.
Or maybe, its just that I don't comprehend Turtlese.
Jan 15th, '09, 18:10
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Location: Gainesville, Florida
I think the fact that I read your whole post may be the first sign of my own OCD! Actually, to the extent I understood it, very interesting. I vaguely remember hearing about OCD behaviors being ways of dealing with anxiety. Certainly our tea behaviors can be stress relievers and maybe the Japanese Tea Ceremony arose as an OCD response to a chaotic medieval Japan.Intuit wrote: Ritual corrects sloppy habits that yield unhappy results. However, ... Experimenting a bit with sencha this afternoon; a Nilgiri started my day.
Geekgirl, got to love the poppets. How do you get the matcha into the Fuji shape?