Thursday TeaDay 1/21/10 TeaSession length?

[Chip]

Welcome to another TeaDay. Please do drop in throughout the day and share what is in your cup.

Yesterday we discussed TeaMerchandiser. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. How long is your average "tea session" from start to finish these days, not including clean up? Please share some details.

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

[AdamMY]

Wow, I was surprized at the lengths listed, I have a hard time finishing in under an hour, and certain teas can last 2 hours or more, but mind you I'm usually doing a bit more than just drinking tea while having it.

[Sam.]

I said about 15 minutes. That's about the time it takes me to brew and then drink most of my teas. Mind you, I'm pretty sensitive to hot temperatures and so generally I brew (gongfu, kyusu, or in steeping cup), let my tea rest to cool down for a few minutes, and then drink it. And I'm almost always at my computer doing work or something while waiting/drinking. With my occasional morning matcha I generally make it, let it cool while I shower, then drink it while I'm getting dressed/ready.

[Jasmin]

I would say on average 20 minutes. Sometimes less, often longer.
Sometimes I just brew a cup that I drink real quick while doing other stuff. Othertimes I brew a pot, keep it warm and relax and read while drinking the tea. That could be 30 min. Or we sit together as a family and play a game or something and drink tea together...
It really depends.

[Ebtoulson]

It really just depends on if I'm in a rush that day...which is the case for most days. But my tea sessions normally range from 15-40 mins.

wuyi for breakfast

[Victoria]

Usually longer than 30 if it's a good oolong that will go the distance. And also depending on the method.

In my cup this morning Balasun Estate from Mariage Freres.

Have a nice day everyone!

[TubbyCow]

When I'm lazy, I steep directly in my cup and chug it, a process that takes 20 or so minutes. When I'm doing a formal tasting or drinking one of my more special teas, it takes around 1.5 hours

Kuki matcha for my first cup today.

[gingkoseto]

Always longer than 30min. I usually have oolong for 7-15 infusions (and the left over sometimes is kept for night or the next day), green or black for 3-5 infusion cups. I can't swallow all this much water within 30min.

[Trey Winston]

About an hour per steep. I brew a whole lot of tea at a time.

[daughteroftheKing]

I rarely have a "tea session" unless someone has stopped by the house or our weekly T@3 here in the office. Even at those times, it's about the relationships not the tea.
A good tea, however, will last me a number of infusions throughout the day.

This morning I steeped the last of my Adagio Ali Shan and will re-steep it a few times tonight after work (love that stuff).
And I take back what I said the other day about rooibos: I just had a cup of the Creme au Caramel Rooibos (Metropolitan Tea Co) that a friend brought me from the tea room at Glen Eyrie Castle. Sweet and marvelous for a mid-morning tea break. Looking at the label now, it has carmel pieces in it. Rats, I guess that means there's sugar in there.

[LauraW]

I'm going with 30 mins because even for just a mug of tea, it's probably at least 20 mins - 5-10 to prepare and steep, 5 to cool, and 5 to drink. Add a 2nd steeping and it's up to 30 mins. And that's just if I'm enjoying tea (or maybe checking emails or some short task. Tv, reading, cooking, socializing, computer games - all these things can add time to it, sometimes leading to a 2-hour "session." Getting lost in meditation, or work, can prolong a session as well, but usually to more like 45-50 mins, not 2 hours.

No tea yet today - had the morning off, so I just got to work a little while ago. Lady Grey once I finally get back to the kitchen to prepare tea.

[bsteele]

Mmmmm nothing formal for me when drinking tea. My best guess is under 20 minutes to drink one serving-- not taking multiple steeps into account because often I'll wait a bit to re-steep.

Not drinking anything right now, dang sucka, I need to get on it. But I am waiting on an Adagio delivery ( yunnan gold, lemon soleil, casablanca twist, dragonwell, foxtrot, rooibos, & honeybush)

[olivierco]

Less than 10 minutes most of the time. I drink small steeps one directly after another.

Hon gyokuro (zencha) this evening.

[artmom]

15 minutes is what I usually spend on making, steeping, and drinking tea. However, with the new teas that I am trying, and my new teaware and multiple steeps (which I've never done before), I expect it will take me longer in the future.

No tea yet today; am about to go and choose which sampler I'll open today.

[brad4419]

My sessions last all day because I only make a few cups at one time and return several times throughout the day for more cups from the same leaf. I voted under 10 because each time I make tea its usually around 10min on average days excluding weekends. So depending on how you look at it, it could be 10min or much longer.

No tea today Woke up running late so I had coffee and then haven't had time after work for tea.