Friday TeaDay 3/26/10 The Outer Limits of brewing?

[Chip]

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

Yesterday we discussed our castaway mystery package. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic.

There is nothing wrong with TeaDay. Do not attempt to adjust the tea. We are controlling brewing. If we wish to make it bolder, we will bring up the intensity. If we wish to make it softer, we will brew it lighter. For this TeaDay, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear in brewing parameters. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your TeaDay. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Outer Limits ... of tea. (Outer Limits Intro paraphrased)

So today ... which are you? "I am willing to take risks in brewing." or "I like to play it safe when brewing." So, do you play with the outer limits of brewing, or do you follow the basics prescribed? Please share ...

Up to 3 votes today!

I am looking forward to sharing this TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up.[/b]

[omegapd]

With a new tea, I'll follow the vendor's suggestion if it's not too off the wall for the first cup and then tweak it after that. Recently, my friend Freddy on here, sent some green Jasmine tea and the brewing directions on the package (a tea stick) were for boiling water and a 5 minute steep. That was one time I didn't follow the directions for the first cup.

EricW

[dooble]

Yep a gyokuro sample I got told to brew it 4mins... I tried ~2 mins and it was overbrewed by then.

Usually I don't really take time or watch the temperature of the water expect by how it sounds, so I'd say I do my way.

[JBaymore]

Frank Sinatra.

best,

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

[AdamMY]

Sort of wanted two votes, as with Chinese teas I'd say I tend towards the outer limits... I often push teas early on to test their durability until I get to know them.

But with Japanese teas, I would say I tend to play it safe, often using cooler water than necessary, and I'm rather cautious about steep time.

[bsteele]

I do it my way I suppose.

[brlarson]

I usually test the limits of brewing parameters for new teas and then use those results for my daily brews.

Hibiki-an super-premium fukamushi with breakfast today.

BTW, Hibiki-an has stated posting their ``Shincha News Flash'' http://www.hibiki-an.com/readings/shinc ... flash.html

[edkrueger]

I think that I've seen that news flash before...

[Victoria]

Frank Sinatra.

best,

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

I love that,

+1


In my cup this morning Darjeeling Oolong.

[Mrs. Chip]

I am still somewhat of a grasshoppa when it comes to brewing. My mentor especially enjoys brewing tea for me, so the only brewing I do on my own is at work.

So, at the beginning I pretty much followed Chip's parameters ... which by the way were his parameters ...

However I have since graduated to his paraphrased mantra here on TC,

Brew how you like and like how you brew!

Adagio's Fujian Baroque in my work cup after another mystery sencha in our cups this morning.

Yipee!!!!! The weekend is upon us, hope everyone has a GREAT ONE!
Make that a TEArrific one and enjoy lots of TEA!
.

[artmom]

When brewing tea new to me, I follow directions. When brewing black, I do it my way. With others, I often take risks. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

[entropyembrace]

I´m at the outer limits...I use a fairly large glass pot, high volume of leaf and long infusion times...some people say I brew too strong and overwhelm the flavours with bitterness...but that´s not what I taste Lucky gf is with me on my school of thought...saturate the water with as much tea juice as it can hold!

[LauraW]

Frank Sinatra.

best,

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

I love that,

+1

+1 from me too - awesome! Must listen to that now... I've got it around here somewhere...

Anyway, I tend to at least start out by following vendor instructions (especially if it's something with which I'm unfamiliar - i.e. greens, lately), but as I begin to get familiar, I try new things until I find what's optimal for me. Which occasionally is exactly as the vendor states, but it can't hurt to try!

AliShan this morning, but what will the afternoon bring?

[MASALACHAAAAIIIIII]

I usually do the suggested brew times by the vendor at first, then go crazzzzyyyy! change whatever I need too.. usually ignore them though if I'm already used to the tea type...

Had a bowl of matcha earlier, may have another and make a cup of green tea to go in my new super duper awesome tea thermos. FINALLY A THERMOS THAT DOESN"T AFFECT MY TEA'S TASTE...no more metal ions/leaching plastic...well atleast at the moment hehe! I might try and make my own one of these days. Off to brew and walk to Structural geology lab, such a beautiful tea day ha!

DRINK MO TEA TEA!

[Mrs. Chip]

Currently in my cup at work after lunch, home-roasted GenMaiCha.

Great tea to drink after or with a meal.