Thursday TeaDay 8/20/09 Consistent or Variety brewing?

[Chip]

Welcome everyone to TeaDay. Please stop in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday we discussed what comes first on a typical day, tea or food. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. We were recently discussing how differing brewing techniques may create very consistent results ... or quite varied results. In particular we were discussing the use of things like scales and thermometers, or not. Do you seek consistency in your brewing, or do you brew inherently for variety? Please share.

I am looking forward to sharing this TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up.

[Maitre_Tea]

I like to seek variety when I'm first playing around with a new tea. It's very Goldilocks of me, I use too little, I use too much, and than I find the sweet spot, which I stick to. Sometimes I like to brew roasted teas with a heavy hand, to bring out more interesting flavors and aroma. Finishing an infusion of Imen's Zhi Lan Xiang. Started with 3, than 4, than 5 grams, finding that 4 grams is perfect. I've forgotten how many infusions it's been...but it's gotta be more than 20 (I started this tea about two hours ago). Just when I thought it would putter out...something interesting shows up.

*EDIT* Also, I feel that variety means trying different ways to make a particular tea taste better. Even though I would like to brew consistently good teas, I want to figure out how to bring out the best characteristics in a tea.

[Salsero]

I strive for consistency.

[Drax]

I suppose I would use the term "repeatability" -- that is, I strive for doing something in a way that I can duplicate it again. However, I use the same tactic to change methods (i.e. variety) and vary parameters in order to make a better cup of tea.

This morning, I am enjoying a single bush oolong, a winter 2008 xing ren from jing tea. . .

[olivierco]

Pretty consistent, once I have found the right (for my taste) brewing parameters.

Organic Kagoshima Koucha (Merci encore Victoria!) this afternoon.

[Trey Winston]

easy to distract
means great trouble brewing tea
with consistency

Continuing the Dragon Well binge that started yesterday. It appears to awaken the poet in me. And I didn't even know he existed.

[virago_ns]

Consistent for me, I measure the amount of tea, temp of the water and steeping time... must be the accountant in me

Wuyi Oolong (organic, free-trade) today in my cup.

[tea-guy]

I consistently brew for variety?

It depends. When writing reviews I'm really going for consistency and repeatability. They're important to provide the same environment between multiple brewings so my notes are both accurate and targeted.

When brewing for myself, I really go more for variaty. Sometimes I like it strong, sometimes I need something more subtle. It really depends on mood and my desires for the day.


In my cup this day: Hoji-cha from YamaMotoYama.

[brlarson]

Like Drax, repeatability is important for me. If I brew a tea the same way four times then I had better the same result each time or there is problem with my technique. I keep notes on different brewing parameters for each tea. It lets me see at a glance what I have liked and also whether a tea responds well to a changes in its parameters. Invariably I will brew something using parameters from memory that will be gloriously wrong, and these have yielded great surprises of all types.

Breakfast tea is the last of a Shui Xian mixed with a little dancong. Later today Fuji `the Ultimate' is on the menu!

[geeber1]

I'd say repeatability also. Once I get it "right" I'd like to be able to recreate it next time.

Trey - You are very poetic lately!

No tea yet today, got into work early.

[Victoria]

Organic Kagoshima Koucha (Merci encore Victoria!) this afternoon.

You are welcome Olivier! Everyone seems to be loving this one. Including me, I had it as my first brew this morning. Next up is the Yuuki-Cha oolong since I just got my reorder yesterday.

Consistency for me.

Have a nice day everyone!

[Chip]

As much as I seek variety, I seek consistent results with individual Japanese teas. I may vary the teaware, etc, but generally am going to brew it the same way once I nail it ... well, at least for Japanese teas. For almost any other tea, I will be much more lax in my approach to brewing it, adjusting as I brew and going with the tea instead of trying to get the tea to follow my lead.

Began the TD with Honyama asamushi shincha from Rishi. I find variety in Japanese teas more fro the selections than the brewing. SweeTea approved of my approach while Wulong, Pyrit, TEAH, and the Fuji really could not care less but were there anyway.

[Trey Winston]

Trey - You are very poetic lately!

So its seems
Hopefully it will subside soon.

[Chip]

Trey - You are very poetic lately!

So its seems
Hopefully it will subside soon.

Hmmm, I have often thought of a Haiku TD or just a topic. Seems there was one some time ago.

Sooo,
prepare your Haiku,
as you brew ...
d'oh.

[geeber1]

Trey - You are very poetic lately!

So its seems
Hopefully it will subside soon.

Don't stop. I enjoy it!