2-21-08, TeaDay on Thursday

[Cinnamon Kitty]

My shopping trip was highly successful. I found a 150 ml glass gaiwan at the oriental shop in the mall. It was on the shelf being used to show off how some of the loose tea leaves looked. They let me have it for $5 since the guy couldn't find a box and he even kept the display tea in it. So I got a discount and free tea. I also picked up some TQY oolong and some jasmine tea samples there plus a bag of white tea at the organic store.

My first attempt at using the gaiwan with the sample tea was an interesting experience. I have to figure out the correct way to pour without burning my fingers or spilling the tea all over the counter top. For the tea, I rinsed the leaves first then did a 15 second steep just off of boiling. It tasted slightly sweet, but a little bit weak. The next steep was about 30 seconds and tasted a bit better with more flavor. By the third steep, the leaves were completely unfurled. I really can't describe what it tasted like beyond that it was slightly sweet and smooth with little astringency. I like the glass a lot since it is really neat to see the leaves unfurl.

[scruffmcgruff]

I have to figure out the correct way to pour without burning my fingers or spilling the tea all over the counter top.

Can you say shameless self-promotion?

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I have to figure out the correct way to pour without burning my fingers or spilling the tea all over the counter top.

Can you say shameless self-promotion?

That seems to be better than my method of my attempts to hold it by the edges with a thumb and finger and use another finger to hold the top. I will have to try that tomorrow. Thanks!

[Salsero]

My Tea-at-3-on-Thursdays group at the office enjoyed Adagio's Darjeeling 22...with rosebuds thrown in the blend.

That sounds like a beautiful event. Do you do it every week?

[Victoria]

Last tea of the day was offered to me at a friend's house. Isn't it funny when someone ask if you want tea, you instinctively say yes? Then you find all they have are a few tea bags?

But actually to my surprise my choice wasn't too bad. Some kind of decaf chai tea with lots of cinnamon.

[Chip]

TeaDay is winding down, but not over yet.

Some polls surprise me, this is one of them. It is years since I did not have tea once a day. I was really surprised how far off the norm I am.

Still sipping a later steep of Kabusecha.

[Space Samurai]

It's been a green tea day.

Nakai's Organic Matcha.
Den's powdered sencha
Five wonderful steeps of Den's Kukicha
Four Steeps of Den's Guricha

[skywarrior]

30% didn't have tea for one day in the past week?

Shame!

[Chip]

And I know Sky, you have not had such a day in over 5 years, but how many is it???