Tuesday TeaDay 9/08/09 Particular most used teaware?

[Chip]

A great TeaDay is upon us, so please share it with us. Don't forget to share what is in your cup today as well.

I think a great TeaPoll and discussion topic as well. What singular teaware or accessory item do you USE more than any other, excluding kettles and purifiers? Let me be clear on this, ONE particular item, not a class or type, just one piece you use the most? The poll options are in generic terms since there are different terms and languages for each. PLEASE share details!

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

[Salsero]

A particular scale more than anything, but a timer comes in a close second.


This shupu was a gift from Hop_Goblin some time ago. Thanks, Bill!

[Maitre_Tea]

A few months ago I would've agreed with Sal there, and said my scale. But for a while now I've been shying away from an occidental western scientific approach to my tea, and I've eschewed usage of any scales or thermometers, except with precious samples. I think for the last month, at least since I found them, I've been using my wenxiangbei, or aroma cups, the most. I think it adds an extra dimension to the tea experience, and I can detect aromas there were harder for me to grab onto earlier.

Finishing up some Elegant Queen courtesy of the Tea Gallery.

[Salsero]

...I've eschewed usage of any scales or thermometers ...

I have to agree with you on the aroma cups, however. We have been using them for everything from oolong to gyokuro in our meetings of The Gainesville T’Buzz™ and they certainly do add a whole layer of experience to the tea.

[Drax]

Same here... scale is something I use > 90% of the time. Timer as well. Everything else varies depending on the type of tea.

This morning I'm continuing with the American Hao 0902. It reminds me a lot of a typical chinese green, which has been interesting, especially coming off of the 0901. I think I drank this a bit late last night, though, and it kept me up... so I'll have to be careful when drinking it later tonight!

[olivierco]

My scale. Except for matcha and houjicha, I use it every time.

Houjicha with my lunch.

[Herb_Master]

My scale when I am not drinking Tie Guan Yin which comes in individual foil packs!

My Kamjove when I am not drinking Dan Cong in the garden with my Chao Zhou stove.

I have no idea when the battery on my scale will fail, perhaps I need to purchase a back-up!

I have 3 tea strainers which I rotate, but one gets far less use than the other 2.

[CynTEAa]

My particulars run in phases, but have been hooked on some chunky glass tea cups. Think I posted this pic awhile back but here goes:


Actually took a vacation last week! Woo hoo! What did I miss?

Happy TeaDay!

[brlarson]

I have assumed that a piece is ``used'' if it is used at least once per session rather than once per infusion; total time used would favor cups or teapots so I don't think you are referring to that.

My scale is the tea-related piece that I use most often. I always weigh the dry tea so I can manage my tea stocks effectively and I have one scale that I always use. I no longer use a thermometer for oolong because it's easy to estimate water temps for oolong with my glass kettle (190, 195, 200, 205), and I drink a lot of oolong. I use different pots and cups depending on the tea and my mood.

I'm still on vacation. Today's breakfast tea is the last of my Ultimate shincha from Zencha.

[depravitea]

Definitely my gaiwan. I use it for pretty much everything.



A very close second is the tea thermos I just got, that's been with me almost every second since it was delivered lol



Made something pretty interesting this morning, found it while I was reading about Chinese tea culture on Wikipedia. It's called Hong Kong Milk Tea. I don't usually put anything in my tea except leaf and water, but I wanted to try it, just so I can say I have lol - it wasn't bad I might even do it again.
If anyone is interested - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_milk_tea

No, I didn't use pantyhose.

[brad4419]

My digital watch Ive had for 10+ years that I broke last year at work has found a new purpose. I use it for everything but puerh everyday.

I found my new love today, my first time brewing a good oolong and it was fantastic! 09 wuyi from floating leaves, lightly oxidized. This was my first so maybe everyone else is used to it but the sweetness just seemed to linger in my mouth forever.

I was hopeing to have a picture of my "teacup" from this past weekend camping trip but I don't have the camera yet. Maybe tomorrow.

[Geekgirl]

Hard to say, I rotate items pretty "religiously." But I do consistently use the same bamboo mat on my teatable. It's there most of the time unless I intend to drink puerh and be splashy. I guess in conjunction with that, I tend to use the same bowl for waste water.

[leiche2]

I use the same teapot most of the time, as it's a simple glazed kyusu from Den's. It's generally the perfect size for me. I've got a gaiwan and another teapot that I use exclusively for oolongs, though, which also sees a lot of use.

So far today, just some Irish Breakfast blend in a mostly failed attempt to wake myself up. I'm thinking I should play around with the oolongs in the box pass today. That should be great.

[olivierco]

Organic kabusecha this afternoon.

[brad4419]

Made something pretty interesting this morning, found it while I was reading about Chinese tea culture on Wikipedia. It's called Hong Kong Milk Tea. I don't usually put anything in my tea except leaf and water, but I wanted to try it, just so I can say I have lol - it wasn't bad I might even do it again.
If anyone is interested - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong_milk_tea

No, I didn't use pantyhose.

Thanks for the link depravitea, added to favorites and on list of things to try. What kind of tea leaf did you use to make it?

Ohhh no pantyhose but what if it adds some crazy good flavor