Tuesday TeaDay 2/23/10 TeaObsession or TeaCompulsion?

[Chip]

Good TeaDay everyone and welcome to TeaDay. I hope you will stop by and share what is in your cup throughout the day.

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

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Is there a particular aspect about your tea leaf, brewing, enjoyment (non teaware!!!) that you are obsessed and/or compulsive about? Please share, share, share.

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

[Seeker]

Yes - aroma, flavor, mouth feel. Always primary factors for me in terms of where I put my awareness and my hopes.

Organic silver needle just now.

[pimli]

I like weighing my tea with an electronic scale. When I have a bit of time in the morning, I measure out a few servings of tea for the day into little plastic baggies, and bring those to work. My daily dosage.

Why do I feel like I'm admitting a dirty secret? This can be normal, right? Right??

On my second round of Lao Cong Shui Xian.

[artmom]

Yes, I am a compulsive "sniffer!" The aroma of the dry, and then wet, tea leaves is a major part of my enjoyment and I never fail to employ it. An Italian friend, long ago, introduced me to the joy of the aroma.

I think I'll start my day with Golden Monkey.

Welcome, Pimil!

[Mrs. Chip]

Yes, I am a compulsive "sniffer!" The aroma of the dry, and then wet, tea leaves is a major part of my enjoyment and I never fail to employ it. Welcome, Pimil!

+1 artmom! The 'tealeaf aroma' is always an exquisitely pleasant way to start the day. For the moment I will call that one of my 'TeaObsessions/TeaCompulsions' ... I am sure there are many more and I will have to ponder this thought provoking question a little longer.

And yes, Welcome Pimil!!! Why not tell us more about yourself under Introduction ... inquiring minds want to know.

Sencha, of course this morning with lots of kitties partaking in the 'aroma'. A Biwa SO was the Hagi cup of the day, nice eye-candy.
.

[LauraW]

I had to go with 'I think so,' because it's not really an obsession, but it's the way I pick my tea, especially in the morning at work. By afternoon, I often know exactly what I want when I go to the cabinet, but it's not unheard of for any time of day. I always start by picking up a tin, usually at random (and at work, I only keep 4-5 teas at a time, so the process doesn't take too long), open and smell. If it smells "right," I might smell a couple more just to make sure, but once I open the right one, I know it. It's strange how the smell of something can change - based on what factors, I don't know - often I'll find that a tea that I know I enjoy just doesn't smell appealing to me at the moment. This is why I'm always open to trying a tea multiple times, since it just may not have been the right tea for the moment (or preparation was off - steep time, temp, etc).

Long explanation, and I wish I could explain it better, but there it is.

Sagittarius this morning - I'm nearly out! Just about time to bring some new oolongs to work for variety (Thanks, Victoria!)

[AdamMY]

I'm a sucker for the aroma, in fact there are some teas that almost go cold while I'm holding them just enjoying their aroma. The aromas are amazing, and its quite surprising that they all come from the same basic type of plant.

[JBaymore]

One more sniffer here!

best,

................john

[depravitea]

I went with "I think so."
I guess this could go under brewing, but for some reason, if the kitchen isn't clean, and I mean SPOTLESS, I can't make tea until it is. I guess I can't relax around a mess lol

By the way, hope I don't get in trouble for posting a link...
I just published my first short story, Turnscrew, on feedbooks.com.

http://www.feedbooks.com/userbook/10570

I'm pretty happy about it

[Mrs. Chip]

I just published my first short story,
Turnscrew, I'm pretty happy about it

As you should be, I am happy for you too!
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!!!!!!!!

Currently in my cup, a very nice oolong from last evening, next up ... probably GenMaiCha!
.

[artmom]

I went with "I think so."
I guess this could go under brewing, but for some reason, if the kitchen isn't clean, and I mean SPOTLESS, I can't make tea until it is. I guess I can't relax around a mess lol . . .

I never would get to drink tea! Congrats on your book. I'll check that out.

Just had a delicious oolong from Anxi region from Silk Road Teas.

[Seeker]

Congrats Deprav!

[leiche2]

Maybe? I sniff teas and look at & hold cups to decide which to use, but there's no rhyme or reason to it. And I don't -have- to do any of that to enjoy my tea!

Sick and chilly today, so I'm enjoying some Oolong #8 from a cheery flowered cup from Den's.

[Victoria]

Congrats Depravitea!! That is quite an accomplishment!

Started my morning with Neela from Tao of Tea. Currently in my cup TGY from Jing Tea Shop.

[Skippyandjif]

Well, aside from absolutely needing to drop everything and have a couple cups of tea between classes every day ...

I have different mugs that I use for tea depending upon the time of day. For my morning and/or afternoon tea, there's the big rainbow mug; for my before-bed tea, it's the slightly-less-big ukiyo-e print mug; for any iced tea, there's a medium-sized apple mug. I never change it up. Basically, I like to drink a lot of tea during the day, so I use the biggest mug for that, and I love my other mugs too much to not use them.

Right now, I'm setting up for a couple cups of looseleaf Chinese Restaurant Tea (in my rainbow mug!! XD)-- oolong, green tea, and jasmine flowers.