Monday TeaDay 12/28/09 Dribs and drabs?

[Chip]

Happy Monday and TeaDay everyone. Please come in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday we discussed new traditions in tea. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. I have noticed TCers emptying teas lately and wondered, do you blend those dribs and drabs ... or what do you do when you have just a little tea leftover? Or do you blend similar general types of tea? Do you find "success" in these attempts? Maybe better than the sum of the parts? Please share with us.

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

[AdamMY]

Unless its physically impossible, i.e. there is too much tea, I usually make a stronger brew, as if the tea is still fresh its probably not at its peak abilities. Looking forward to a great tea day once I wake up this morning.

[Victoria]

Sometimes I will do this. Usually it would be with a similar tea. Like the last of a green oolong in with another green oolong. I have never noted the "blend" to be better. If it is something I am trying to finish up, I'm in the mode now to just toss it if there isn't enough. I have too much tea.

I have never saved several small leftovers into one. I usually try to deal with them right then and there, one at a time.

[olivierco]

I don't. I usually adjust the quantity of water according to the remaining quantity of leaves after having discarded the dust and the broken leaves.

Kaboku sencha this afternoon.

[TubbyCow]

I saw this idea posted elsewhere and decided to try it out: I have two small jars - one for 212 degree-brew teas, and one for 190 degree-brews. I put leftover bits into the appropriate jar (so far I haven't had need to create more jars), and let the leftovers blend themselves. The flavour of the jars is always changing, and sometimes I get some really great cups. Sometimes not so much.

It's like leftover stew surprise but with tea.

[AdamMY]

I was right its not even noon and its shaping up to be a great tea day. Had a Yame Sencha, and it was/is spectacular.

[murrius]

If it makes sense, I blend shamelessly: sencha with sencha, darjeeling with darjeeling, assam with keemun, etc.

Sencha Ujibashi San no Ma in my biwan this morning.

[murrius]

Forgot to mention that today is an official day of mourning as I have broken my Kikumaru kyusu teapot which I have only had for one year.

When the lid on your kyusu has gotten stuck I do not recommend shaking it vigourously, while holding the pot and lid, and then inadvertently banging it on the counter, thus breaking off the handle. I also do not recommend trying to use it again sans handle unless you enjoy burning your fingers.

[Chip]

If it makes sense, I blend shamelessly: sencha with sencha, darjeeling with darjeeling, assam with keemun, etc.

Ditto. I also at times throw leftover leaves into an iced tea reserve, but would much rather use blended now than doom them to such an eternal fate.

I have had generally very good results when blending these dribs and drabs.

Forgot to mention that today is an official day of mourning as I have broken my Kikumaru kyusu teapot which I have only had for one year.

When the lid on your kyusu has gotten stuck I do not recommend shaking it vigourously, while holding the pot and lid, and then inadvertently banging it on the counter, thus breaking off the handle. I also do not recommend trying to use it again sans handle unless you enjoy burning your fingers.

I am sorry to hear this, I think a Kikumaru was the only cat casualTea(ware) here, it is usually my carelessness ... but it is not a bomb proof Kyusu to say the least.

However, Murrius, in a word, GYOKURO!!!???

It is usually that moment of inadvertant carelessness that dooms teaware, been there and done that.

[Chip]

Thanks for coloring TD, Adam, IceSplit Wan-s are always welcome!

Sencha Ujibashi San no Ma in my biwan this morning.

Biwan! I like the name! Began the TD with a BIWAN and Yutaka Midori. SweeTea would not miss YM, and Pyrit would not miss cat treats.

[Geekgirl]

I don't blend my teas, except for the occasional ceylon with dried fruit or hibiscus. If I have bits left, I will put them in a teabag for a single cup, or else throw them out. My previous blending experiments have not ended well.

[silvermage2000]

I just had a cup of raspberry champagne flavored white tea from compass teas.

[keensense]

I most definitely brew up the dribs and drabs - unless there's just dust left. It's fun to blend the flavors that you might not normally put together, and often I find new blends I like. Of course if I don't like it, I can just toss it - no hard feelings as the cup was blended with leftover tea.

Also, a tip - although I'm sure you all know! - you can always add a mint to a leftover blend. That's actually how I created Blackberry Bliss, one of my signature blends. I blended leftover blackberry tea with spearmint and peppermint. Yum!

[brad4419]

Nope, no blends for me, I just brew whats left.

green spice chai today

[cha-fu]

The dribs and drabs from Pu-erh bricks/cakes are dumped into a jar and then later put into heat-seal tea bags like this

shake_in_tea_bag.jpg (16.26 KiB) Viewed 904 times

These homemade tea bags are very convenient when travel.