Tuesday TeaDay 1/05/10 TeaChat suggestions?

[Chip]

Greetings and welcome to a new TeaDay. I hope you will stop in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

Yesterday we discussed fave subforums on TeaChat. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Adagio has always largely allowed TeaChat to remain an open discussion tea forum and have always kept a pretty much hands off policy except of course for the Adagio Category. In fact, they have always allowed yours truly to implement new programs and modify old ones.

Therefore I have in kind always been open to members' ideas on how to enhance the forum as well. Today's poll, do you have any suggestions on how to enhance TeaChat? Please discuss.

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

[bsteele]

Maybe... I think... let me just think of some first

Too early for tea... I need food in me first. Back to bed I go

[Dreamer]

Woo Hoo...freakishly early appearance for me here on TeaDay. Usually I'd be at work this time of day, but our building is closed today due to a water main break...it is REALLY cold here again.

Nope, I've got no ideas, but I'm sure there will be some great ones from some of the creative folks here.

Tea this morning...bits and drabs of Ceylons to make a pot...time to order more.

Have a great Teasday,
Dreamer

[olivierco]

No peculiar suggestions.

Ippoen gyokuro this evening.

[Teasing]

I don't get here very often, but when I do, I love it just the way it is.

[AdamMY]

None right now but Chip does implement suggestions if they seem like a good idea (Teaware Artisans "Ask an Artisan" offical topic) so don't be scared to make suggestions. That was the one I came up with a few days ago.



Yame Sencha from Green Tea Japan in my cup.

[Chip]

Indeed Adam. When I hear an idea I really like, I share it with my TeaFriends. And thanks for bringing your Hagi to TD.

OK, how about expanding the concept "Unofficial Official Japanese Green Tea Vendor Guide" http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=11556 to include other greens, for oolong, for black, etc.

And would it be good in the existing subforums, or possibly create a new subforum specifically for this purpose, for all these "official" vendor topics?

A year ago, I introduced the concept of the TeaChat TeaRoom, for member only access, well members meeting minimum general requirements such as a member for a few months with active postings.

Any thoughts?

Began the TD with Yutaka Midori from O-Cha. Many participants today, SweeTea was activelly participating while Gandalf, Lil Bit, Ceylon, and Pyrit paid a visit to the TeaTable.

Currently home roasted mugi/genmai.

[Seeker]

Hmmm, just got up. Yaaawwwwnnn. Streeeeettttcchhh. Whew.
I need, hmmm, some matcha!
Think I'll try the Den's organic this morning, and maybe some of the gift matcha I recieved as well.
Ideas, hmmm, hmmm, let's see.
Not coming up with anything just now. Will continue to contemplate.
Great question tho Chip!
Oh - can you say more about TeaChat TeaRoom idea?

[Chip]

Think I'll try the Den's organic this morning,
Ideas, hmmm, hmmm, let's see.
Not coming up with anything just now. Will continue to contemplate.
Great question tho Chip!
Oh - can you say more about TeaChat TeaRoom idea?

http://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=7619

Really mixed reviews on the TeaRoom (TeaHouse) concept a year ago, but it was maybe too new of an idea back then whose time has come ... possibly? 71 votes and 75 posts.

The Den's Organic Matcha really surprised me, quite good.

[gingkoseto]

Anyone knows where Salsero has been? Missing his beautiful daily photos!

As for enhancing the forum, I don't have new ideas. But I enjoyed very much the show competitions of British teacup set and gaiwan. Maybe more of these in the future?

[Chip]

Yes, those were a lot of fun, Gingko! I am looking for a new way to vote since the old way was ... imperfect.

Currently, a tasting of Yame Fukamushi from Den's ... wondering what new teas we will be seeing this coming harvest. This was the first non Shizuoka prefecture offering from Den's.

[Seeker]

Okay, I do have an idea:
I'd really like to see a dedicated review topic for teas.
I have sometimes reviewed specific teas, and included photos as well as detailed tasting notes. Others have done this also.
I'd really like to see more reviews with photos and tasting notes.
Cheers.
Den's organic matcha this morning in a brand spanking new wonderfully marvelous stupendously cool Cory Lum chawan! (see Today's matcha for a pic).
edit/add - just had a thought, and it is that reviewing tea tends to make me more deeply aware of my tea experience, mindful if you will, and this can enhance my tea experience. Wonder if others have this experience?

[Chip]

Okay, I do have an idea:
I'd really like to see a dedicated review topic for teas.
I have sometimes reviewed specific teas, and included photos as well as detailed tasting notes. Others have done this also.
I'd really like to see more reviews with photos and tasting notes.

edit/add - just had a thought, and it is that reviewing tea tends to make me more deeply aware of my tea experience, mindful if you will, and this can enhance my tea experience. Wonder if others have this experience?

Would the reviews fit into the Official Vendor topic concept, the review could be right in line with a particular vendor's "Official" topic???

There is also for instance, the official Shincha topic ... although the Chinese edition fell flat last Spring, hardly any posts. The Shincha topics have been pop for 2 years now.

I am just throwing some info out, food for thought. Please continue to discuss.

... and yes, Seeker, if I know I will be reviewing a tea, I am much more mindful during the experience ... versus simply trying to reconstruct the experience later as I write.

[olivierco]

just had a thought, and it is that reviewing tea tends to make me more deeply aware of my tea experience, mindful if you will, and this can enhance my tea experience. Wonder if others have this experience?

Not for me, in fact quite the opposite: putting words on impressions and trying to analyze the different flavors and tastes of my tea distract me from fully enjoying it.

Golden needles after dinner.

[Dreamer]

Anyone knows where Salsero has been? Missing his beautiful daily photos!

As I recall, he wasn't planning on posting daily photos any more, but I thought he was still going to be around...I have also been wondering why we haven't seen any posts from him for a while...