My love of tea and teaware was inculcated by a much loved relative when I was a youngster. A deepened appreciation for many fine varieties and exposure to new teaware was due to increased access via the World Wide Web. Mingling with other tea and teaware enthusiasts is also largely due to web access, as there are very few tea lovers to be found locally.
Peppermint tissane in the cup.
May 26th, '09, 15:46
Posts: 495
Joined: Jan 31st, '09, 12:41
Location: midwest, Sanibel wannabe
Contact:
Dreamer
Yes, yes, yes!!!
If it wasn't for the chatters, my black tea drinking would still be all tea-bags and bad restaurant iced tea!!! I would not have enjoyed that great Nilgiri that I had yesterday!
Also my teaware selection has been influenced too...I would not have known of the existence of my cute little fish semi-gaiwan!
Today, I left with an oolong in my travel mug...I've decided this one has "issues", so I didn't drink much of it (I've emailed the vendor).
Later my tea buddy brewed up some Ceylon that I provided (???, who knows which one it was). It was great!
I'm thinking something green for the afternoon and something iced with dinner!
Sal, if you get tired of taking those great pictures of that great vessel, I'll gladly take it off your hands!
Thanks 'chatters for being on this journey!
Dreamer
If it wasn't for the chatters, my black tea drinking would still be all tea-bags and bad restaurant iced tea!!! I would not have enjoyed that great Nilgiri that I had yesterday!
Also my teaware selection has been influenced too...I would not have known of the existence of my cute little fish semi-gaiwan!
Today, I left with an oolong in my travel mug...I've decided this one has "issues", so I didn't drink much of it (I've emailed the vendor).
Later my tea buddy brewed up some Ceylon that I provided (???, who knows which one it was). It was great!
I'm thinking something green for the afternoon and something iced with dinner!
Sal, if you get tired of taking those great pictures of that great vessel, I'll gladly take it off your hands!
Thanks 'chatters for being on this journey!
Dreamer
My experience and exploration of tea has been a mixture of both.
(disclaimer: we are all influenced by choices others have made and none of us can be truly independent in our choices. Of course unless we go to a place that has never been inhabited, find a bush that has never been seen before, and make tea from it. But my post is about exploring the known world of tea and what is available to me.)
My first tea I decided to drink was Earl Grey. This was influenced by a casual acquaintance who ordered a pot at an eclectic coffee house. They brought out a royal blue English style tea pot and he sat and drank it. It looked beatnik and intellectual, so I wanted to try it to.
However, my desire to try oolong came from seeing it on a tea menu and wanting to try it. I choose Oriental Beauty and was hooked. It was the first tea I wanted to try on my own without any friends influence.
Life is good when we explore and are influenced.
(disclaimer: we are all influenced by choices others have made and none of us can be truly independent in our choices. Of course unless we go to a place that has never been inhabited, find a bush that has never been seen before, and make tea from it. But my post is about exploring the known world of tea and what is available to me.)
My first tea I decided to drink was Earl Grey. This was influenced by a casual acquaintance who ordered a pot at an eclectic coffee house. They brought out a royal blue English style tea pot and he sat and drank it. It looked beatnik and intellectual, so I wanted to try it to.
However, my desire to try oolong came from seeing it on a tea menu and wanting to try it. I choose Oriental Beauty and was hooked. It was the first tea I wanted to try on my own without any friends influence.
Life is good when we explore and are influenced.
Last edited by spot52 on May 26th, '09, 16:19, edited 1 time in total.
Currently ‘09 AliShan from Hou De in my cup. Prior to that I had Tea Masters ’09 AliShan Gao Shan Hung Shui oolong, which was a little too roasted for me. I’ll be nursing the final steeps of this one for the rest of the day.
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
May 26th, '09, 19:13
Posts: 147
Joined: Apr 17th, '09, 11:36
Location: Mississippi
I was definitely inspired by friends into my tea journey, and by these forums to an extent. Haven't read much outside the internet, YET, will be purchasing books soon!!!
Enjoying a decent cup of ginger cardamom chai, bit too gingerish!! and ran out of half and half today
Not sure what I will drink after this...maybe more masala chai!
Enjoying a decent cup of ginger cardamom chai, bit too gingerish!! and ran out of half and half today
Not sure what I will drink after this...maybe more masala chai!Can'na be what he said.
HerbMaster: I'm almost positive that last flower photo is a bearded iris hybrid.
This is Canna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canna_(plant)
This is Canna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canna_(plant)
The start of my tea journey was primarily influenced by my father's love of Earl Grey. From there it turned to me researching tea and after finding Adagio, joining Teachat, which resulted in many tips from various people about different types of teas, teaware, and vendors. There was definitely some influence by various people combined with self-exploration.
Currently in my cup is steep #6 of YM shincha. I am still working on the parameters, but today's attempt is slightly better than yesterday's attempt. I used a heaping tsp of leaf to 5oz of water at about 165*F for the first steep. The first two steeps were strong, but awesome.
Currently in my cup is steep #6 of YM shincha. I am still working on the parameters, but today's attempt is slightly better than yesterday's attempt. I used a heaping tsp of leaf to 5oz of water at about 165*F for the first steep. The first two steeps were strong, but awesome.
May 26th, '09, 20:18
Posts: 1777
Joined: Jun 4th, '08, 19:41
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Stockport, England
Contact:
Herb_Master
Herb_Master wrote:Last year's wife ?Chip wrote:Next up, Golden Spring from Adagio with my wife. This is last years, but it was very enjoyable.
I voted no big external influences to my tea journey... specifically referring to the launching of the journey. I just liked tea... decided to explore it... and the rest is history. I sort of enjoy having an interest that isn't so common... makes people think I'm quirky and odd and cool (or weird, I suppose). I like not being another mainstream clone.
That being said, the direction of my journey continues to be significantly influenced by the wisdom of friends here on TeaChat... but mostly, you all just cost me more $$. There should be some kind of "enter at your own risk" disclaimer on sign-up.
Oolong 18 in my cup when I got home... needing something else now.
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.***
lol Im rollingHerb_Master wrote:Last year's wife ?Chip wrote:Next up, Golden Spring from Adagio with my wife. This is last years, but it was very enjoyable.
I was influenced by my older brother to start my tea journey even though since then he has joined the dark side(coffee) because of convenience I will pull him back with some good teas next time I visit.
You teachatters are such a big influence on my teadrinking. Both the pu erhs I tried this year where suggestions on here as well as yunnan teas, long jing and many others. If it weren't for peoples advice on brewing whites I would have never known how good they are.
Morrocan mint again today, I like it better without sugar.
May 26th, '09, 22:35
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
