Tuesday TeaDay 4/21/09 Most difficult to brew?

[Chip]

Eh hem, check, check, check ...

... is this mic on?

can I have your attention please ...

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE, I HAVE AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

[Chip]

...eh hem ...

SHINCHA IS IN THE HOUSE!!!!

[brad4419]

I voted chinese greens even though its all greens for me because I use a glass teapot and I have a bad habit right now that I look at the tea being infused and after 2 min. I think it doesnt look strong enough but then it turns out bitter.

I havent had dan cong so I don't know how hard it is but Im sure Im not ready for it yet.

Green chai today.
I didn't post yesterday but had something interesting, black berry leaf bud tea I picked while walking a trail. It had a really interesting taste that reminded me of something but I just can't figure it out. I liked it but after a cup I really didn't want another I guess its more of a littles good, a lots bad thing.

[Victoria]

Is this the green forum? Where am I??? Must be the heat!!
Only 89 degrees so far today, but I'm sure it will get worse.

In my work cup this afternoon I made some iced tea with Floating Leaves Tea Li Shan oolong. Very nice.

[olivierco]

Is this the green forum? Where am I??? Must be the heat!!

Maybe.

I tasted this evening a new gyokuro and the result was quite surprising (in a good way). More on this tomorrow.

[brlarson]

Is this the green forum? Where am I???

Yup, it's the green forum until everyone is sick of shincha.

[Victoria]

Hahaha!! That's what I thought! Or till y'all buy it all up!

[Chip]

I thought it was a pretty worthy announcement considering some of the news delivered here.
So, I cut open the box which btw came SAL I think, have to check on this though, anyway, 5 days. This is Magokoro from Yuuki-Cha.

And in typical Japanese flair, the bags are gift wrapped in lovely Japanese paper wrapping. *loves this*

I will sample this shincha in the morning.

Sipping "now officially old harvest Chiran Supreme" from O-Cha.

[Chip]

I tasted this evening a new gyokuro and the result was quite surprising (in a good way). More on this tomorrow.

... waiting

[iannon]

I tasted this evening a new gyokuro and the result was quite surprising (in a good way). More on this tomorrow.

... waiting

not even going to clue us in on what you got huh?

[Victoria]

I thought it was a pretty worthy announcement considering some of the news delivered here.
So, I cut open the box which btw came SAL I think, have to check on this though, anyway, 5 days. This is Magokoro from Yuuki-Cha.

And in typical Japanese flair, the bags are gift wrapped in lovely Japanese paper wrapping. *loves this*

I will sample this shincha in the morning.

Sipping "now officially old harvest Chiran Supreme" from O-Cha.

It was a worthy anouncement, it was a joke!! I feel it is my self appointed duty to give all of the Shincha heads a hard time during SHINCHA MADNESS.
At least until the Spring OOLONGS come in.

[brlarson]

With all of the hype about shincha I haven't heard anyone mention Jing's limited offering of Semi-wild Wu Dong Dancong, which will ship at the end of April. I'm low on dancong so I just ordered some. I felt it would be polite to mention it to all of you.

Pinnacle Gyokuro for afternoon tea. I might open a sample of 2008 Ban Zhang Sheng after supper.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

Odd one out - I voted Indian blacks. Mostly because I have the hardest time brewing these to where I like them. Ultimately, I think it is that I just don't like them and not a problem with brewing, but I'm gonna blame the brewing.

I will actually agree with you on this. I can at least get the Japanese greens to be tasty more times than not, but I have had rotten luck with getting Darjeelings to taste good.

Currently in my cup is a very nice red wine. It is not tea, but it is good.

[kymidwife]

I voted Chinese Green. Whether it's because of my brewing skills, the quality of the leaf I've tried, or the possibility that I just don't like them, Chinese greens have given me the most consistent problems in getting an enjoyable result. They always come out weak or bitter or fishy, no matter how I've played with my parameters. Then I realized... I really do love the Japanese greens, and I've finally gotten good at brewing them, so I don't know why I punish myself.

In my cup now... just opened my Chiran Supreme Sencha from O-Cha... it's been chilling in my fridge for a few weeks, waiting for me to finish the Fuka-Midori, which I did last night. I really like the Chiran... nice aroma, very smooth and sweet. I've been in such a green mood.

Oh, and I've never tried any Dan Congs... that's on my "wanna try" list.

Sarah

[JP]

I would have to say that puerhs can be the most difficult as a group. There is such a variety among them that choosing the correct amount of leaf and brew time can be a challenge - and make all the difference!