Hey Gingko...that looks like a medieval torture device for gaiwans! Scary.
I would rather work on my gaiwan hands.
I like to keep it simple and brew on intuition. So far my intuition has made some pretty delicious brews! [/quote]
I tend to use my hands when it comes to water temperature. I like putting my cold hands around the hot water cooling pitcher and gauging that way.
Hey Gingko...that looks like a medieval torture device for gaiwans! Scary.
I would rather work on my gaiwan hands.
I like to keep it simple and brew on intuition. So far my intuition has made some pretty delicious brews! [/quote]
Hey Gingko...that looks like a medieval torture device for gaiwans! Scary.
I would rather work on my gaiwan hands.
I like to keep it simple and brew on intuition. So far my intuition has made some pretty delicious brews! [/quote]
I'd say i'm VERY low-tech because i'm just getting started! The only time I really pay attention to the water temp is if i'm brewing white or a new oolong...if i'm brewing black I just wait for my tea kettle to whistle...
This morning I had the Nilgiri, Glendale Estate that I got from my recent Tea Source order. I LOVED it!! Right now i'm about to brew up some Lychee flavored black that I got from there as well. I just can't get away from the 'fruity' teas in the afternoon...i love them!
This morning I had the Nilgiri, Glendale Estate that I got from my recent Tea Source order. I LOVED it!! Right now i'm about to brew up some Lychee flavored black that I got from there as well. I just can't get away from the 'fruity' teas in the afternoon...i love them!
I voted kinda high tech but maybe the one under that would work also 
I use a thermometer, time my steeps and occasionaly weight scale but no tea kettles or expensive heating devices, just a stove and pan to boil water in.
Tryed Rooidos for the first time today
It was Le Marche Spice Rooibos. I really liked it but for me its more of occasional drinking not so much of a drink a lot of tea. It did make the house smell good 
I use a thermometer, time my steeps and occasionaly weight scale but no tea kettles or expensive heating devices, just a stove and pan to boil water in.
Tryed Rooidos for the first time today
It was Le Marche Spice Rooibos. I really liked it but for me its more of occasional drinking not so much of a drink a lot of tea. It did make the house smell good 
What a beautiful photograph!Victoria wrote:
~clicky~
Starting the day with matcha, thanks Chip! The sifted powder
made such a pretty pic against my purple matcha bowl.
Have a nice day everyone!
Somewhat high tech. I use a scale most of the time. Other than that, I rarely measure time or water temp, unless I am brewing greens or delicate Oolong.
Mostly young Sheng in the cup today.
Well, I never answered the poll question- too drawn into Victoria's purple green pic- again just beautiful! 
I would say I'm more tech since I have always measured my tea- I did order a scale but I'm this close to canceling the order= it has not even been shipped. 
So I've been brewing O-Cha tea with my measuring spoons- (good ones though!) and my new teaware (does that count as techy since its way better than the plastic filter I've been using for the past 10 years)???. I've always timed my tea even though sometimes a glance at my watch was about the best I could do at work. I have been using my instant read thermometer (bought for baking yeast breads) for brewing sencha and gyokuro so well, more techy.
I've had to learn to brew these lovely new teas myself with lots of help from you all so I need the techy tools. I'm sure that if my mom brewed tea and we lived back in the day we would be doing it well, like back in the day. So far I'm more pleased with the results from using my techy tools so I will continue to use them.
jade cloud before work this morning and some adagio gyokuro after work this afternoon.
I would say I'm more tech since I have always measured my tea- I did order a scale but I'm this close to canceling the order= it has not even been shipped.
So I've been brewing O-Cha tea with my measuring spoons- (good ones though!) and my new teaware (does that count as techy since its way better than the plastic filter I've been using for the past 10 years)???. I've always timed my tea even though sometimes a glance at my watch was about the best I could do at work. I have been using my instant read thermometer (bought for baking yeast breads) for brewing sencha and gyokuro so well, more techy. I've had to learn to brew these lovely new teas myself with lots of help from you all so I need the techy tools. I'm sure that if my mom brewed tea and we lived back in the day we would be doing it well, like back in the day. So far I'm more pleased with the results from using my techy tools so I will continue to use them.
jade cloud before work this morning and some adagio gyokuro after work this afternoon.
Feb 24th, '09, 18:38
Posts: 495
Joined: Jan 31st, '09, 12:41
Location: midwest, Sanibel wannabe
Contact:
Dreamer
Hi All,
I strive to be low tech...I want to know how the water looks (steam or not) or feels in my cooling cups (for Japanese greens, I do put the water from cup to cup till I think it is cool enough) so I don't have to use a thermometer. I don't have a scale...yet. I am thinking about getting one just to see what I have already been doing. I just like knowing how much "looks" right. The problem with this approach it that it is virtually non-repeatable after a day or two or a tea or two has passed by.
This morning I enjoyed some Assam that my tea buddy at work supplied and brewed up for us. This afternoon a great foamy sweet bowl of Kiri no Mori matcha from O-cha soothed a beast of an ache that was banging around in my overstressed head!
This evening I feel I must have some houjicha...that should keep the beasty headache at bay by keeping the stress down and sleep will come easily when the night gets to that sweet time.
Mmmmm, tea,
Dreamer
I strive to be low tech...I want to know how the water looks (steam or not) or feels in my cooling cups (for Japanese greens, I do put the water from cup to cup till I think it is cool enough) so I don't have to use a thermometer. I don't have a scale...yet. I am thinking about getting one just to see what I have already been doing. I just like knowing how much "looks" right. The problem with this approach it that it is virtually non-repeatable after a day or two or a tea or two has passed by.
This morning I enjoyed some Assam that my tea buddy at work supplied and brewed up for us. This afternoon a great foamy sweet bowl of Kiri no Mori matcha from O-cha soothed a beast of an ache that was banging around in my overstressed head!
This evening I feel I must have some houjicha...that should keep the beasty headache at bay by keeping the stress down and sleep will come easily when the night gets to that sweet time.
Mmmmm, tea,
Dreamer
Semi-techie due to my adoration of my zoji. I have a digital scale but don't use it much. I do use a thermometer now and then but not nearly as often since I got the zoji. In my earlier tea days, I was fairly tempted to get a zarafina, just because I totally love gadgets (I have a treo, an ipod, a kindle, a wii, and all kinds of kitchen junk)... but I'm glad I refrained and went with pot and gaiwan brewing... a touch of tradition mixed with a touch of tech feels like my perfect comfort zone.
In my cup now, Magnolia Oolong from Teasource... very similar to jasmine but more subtle.. nice. Next, I'm itching to break out the powdered sencha from O-Cha that's waiting in my fridge.
Victoria... wow! Love that picture. So very Mardi Gras.... shoulda thrown some gold beads across the border.
Happy TeaDay and Fat Tuesday.
Sarah
In my cup now, Magnolia Oolong from Teasource... very similar to jasmine but more subtle.. nice. Next, I'm itching to break out the powdered sencha from O-Cha that's waiting in my fridge.
Victoria... wow! Love that picture. So very Mardi Gras.... shoulda thrown some gold beads across the border.
Happy TeaDay and Fat Tuesday.
Sarah
***This organic blend is earthy & spicy, with a fragrant aroma & smooth flavor to captivate the senses. Naturally sweetened in the Kentucky sunshine & infused with natural energy. Equally delicious when served piping hot or crisply chilled.***
Feb 24th, '09, 20:37
Posts: 995
Joined: Feb 8th, '08, 14:22
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:
auggy
Ugh, just now getting on TC. Today has been a day that cannot be accurately described without liberal profanity.
I think I'm pretty high tech. I have my zojirushi, my digital scale and my digital professional grade thermometer. In my defense, I did try to go low-tech with the thermometer for a bit (used a candy thermometer) but I am instant death to those things. One I boiled in oil (literally and oops), another shattered when I placed (not dropped!) it in a filled teacup - I guess it hit just right. And if anyone cares, I also managed to destroy DH's meat thermometer. Thankfully, my scale, Zoji and current thermometer have not been killed. I rock.
Blend of spearmint and cream tea this morning. Just about to get a second steep of sencha.
I think I'm pretty high tech. I have my zojirushi, my digital scale and my digital professional grade thermometer. In my defense, I did try to go low-tech with the thermometer for a bit (used a candy thermometer) but I am instant death to those things. One I boiled in oil (literally and oops), another shattered when I placed (not dropped!) it in a filled teacup - I guess it hit just right. And if anyone cares, I also managed to destroy DH's meat thermometer. Thankfully, my scale, Zoji and current thermometer have not been killed. I rock.
Blend of spearmint and cream tea this morning. Just about to get a second steep of sencha.
Feb 24th, '09, 21:22
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
As always, I am enjoying everyone's posts. I see personaliTeas I already know repeatedly revealed ... confirmed. "Korean oolong from Hankook" a little while ago. I have no clue which one it is, but I am thinking it is their Taiwan offering and not a Korean one. Then shared a nice cup of Sencha Premier from our host Adagio over the phone.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
I feel... naked, exposed... predictable! *sob*Chip wrote:
I spent "all day" (i.e. morning and evening) with this 2008 CNNP. Young, its life's journey just beginning:
We will grow older,
together. How will we change?
Only time will tell.
Feb 24th, '09, 23:01
Posts: 796
Joined: Sep 3rd, '08, 11:01
Location: Washington, DC
Contact:
Maitre_Tea
Wow, I haven't been on TeaChat in about two months. Unfortunately, since I'm entering my busiest semester opportunities like this will be rare. I only use a digital scale, but I'm trying to wean myself off of that. I feel that if I rely too much on technology because the tea I make isn't a result of my own technique, but instead of technology. But I definitely feel that using things like scales or thermometers helps beginners when you're more prone to make mistakes.
I went to costco today to get a britta pitcher- there was a noticeable difference in the tea I made with my tap water or whole foods bottled vs deer park or volvic. Loved the volvic and deer park so much better but didn't like having to buy water all the time. I have my pitcher cleaned and the filter in etc and will try in tomorrow am with some of my ocha yummies. I've been wanting to get some sort of filter for my home but it took *tea* (and a costco coupon to get me moving) 
When I arrived home from work/costco my scale was in the mail! I bought the little $10 free shipping one from Hong Kong (I think that is so cool) that was mentioned somewhere on teachat. So I'm guessing my tea techy-ness has increased a bit. Really its all about learning to make the very best tea I can.
When I arrived home from work/costco my scale was in the mail! I bought the little $10 free shipping one from Hong Kong (I think that is so cool) that was mentioned somewhere on teachat. So I'm guessing my tea techy-ness has increased a bit. Really its all about learning to make the very best tea I can.
cheryl
Feb 28th, '09, 11:26
Posts: 470
Joined: Sep 29th, '08, 08:49
Location: Floating blissfully in a bowl of Matcha
+1cherylopal wrote: "will try in tomorrow am with some of my ocha yummies". Really its all about learning to make the very best tea I can.
Boy do I agree cherylopal. This is coming from a spontaneous, non-rule follower...do it my way kinda person
Willingness to listen to the advice given on our forum has changed my spontaneity to a more techy approach, with excellent results in my tea brewing experiences!
+2 to TeaDay/TeaChat and to all our knowledgeable teachatters!
O-Cha.......great stuff
Not sure the best place to ask my question but thought maybe here
I started using my new Brita pitcher sat to make tea and noticed that I need a bit more leaf than before. I was using tap water or Volvic bottled.
I have also noticed that my last two brewings of gyokuro are bland bland bland. I'm wondering why?? I bought the brita so I wouldn't have to keep buying bottled water and the bottled water did make a better brew than my tap. I've searched through the old threads on brita and didn't see anything.
Anyone have any insights to share?
I started using my new Brita pitcher sat to make tea and noticed that I need a bit more leaf than before. I was using tap water or Volvic bottled.
I have also noticed that my last two brewings of gyokuro are bland bland bland. I'm wondering why?? I bought the brita so I wouldn't have to keep buying bottled water and the bottled water did make a better brew than my tap. I've searched through the old threads on brita and didn't see anything.
Anyone have any insights to share?
cheryl