Who uses aroma cups?

[karmaplace]

For those of you who own aroma cups, do you use them? I had never heard of an aroma cup until I stumbled across a set with one, and the description on the set stated that the scent in the aroma cup differs from both the dry leaves and the tea in the drinking cup. I've found that I usually prefer the scent of the dry leaves to that of brewed tea, but I'm assuming the scent in the aroma cup should also be pleasant?

Basically, what are your opinions on aroma cups?

[Chip]

I recall this topic from a few years ago, I was surprised by the strong responses, I think one member used the word hate as I recall. While others loved them.

I like them, but just don't use them too much. I like them for Greener oolong specifically. After first pouring the tea into the aroma cup, then pouring it to the tasting cup, the resulting aroma in the aroma cup can be astounding.

Have you seen how to use an aroma/tasting cup set?

[karmaplace]

The description on the set said that you pour tea into the aroma cup, but then said hold the aroma cup upside down over the tea and collect steam, so, no, I have no idea how they're actually used.

[Chip]

The description on the set said that you pour tea into the aroma cup, but then said hold the aroma cup upside down over the tea and collect steam, so, no, I have no idea how they're actually used.

Ahhh, we must teach you, grasshoppah!

The concept is easy. Figure you have a cup of tea, the aroma given off is restricted by the relatively small surface area of the top of the liquid.

Now look at your aroma cup. After brewing, you pour the tea into this cup. Then you place the tasting cup over top (upside down) like a lid ... and flip the aroma cup over with a simple wrist movement, then lift the aroma cup up while still upside down. The liquid is now in the tasting cup.

Now the aroma is all over the steaming insides of the aroma cup, so much more surface space than a cup of tea! All this concentrated aroma!!!

Flip this aroma cup over and catch a scent of pure heaven (if you are using a good tea!) I think the greener oolongs work best for this, but it is a matter of personal preference.

[Scarlet Glow]

Try this video to see how to use an aroma cup set.

I have a set, but, like Chip, I don't use mine much.

[Chip]

Try this video to see how to use an aroma cup set.

I have a set, but, like Chip, I don't use mine much.

Thanks, I was going to go look for a video next ... There are lots on YouTube.

[karmaplace]

I love how so many tea videos have the same narrator from middle school science class videos, but thank you for sharing! I'm definitely interested in trying it and, hey, if I don't like it, I'll just have a pretty tall cup, or would that be blasphemy?

Now that I see how it's used I can't believe someone said they hated them though. Seems like a silly thing to hate, unless their tea smelled awful.

[Victoria]

I usually just use them if I am tasting a new tea, or if I am sharing a tasting with a group. But alone with a tea I've had, usually never. But they are nice to have. Usually rather small, you may find you use the flared cup, but not the tall one so much.

Unfortunately that video doesn't show the flip over technique that is more commonly used. I looked but can't find one either.

[Scarlet Glow]

Victoria, I use the flip over technique, as well. I couldn't find a video for it either.

[Chip]

*flips*

She also flips ... a little differently from what I have seen in the past ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clHj3GGmx48 about 4 minutes in to the video.

[TubbyCow]

I have one set I use on occasion. I don't use it consistently with any teas, and I tend to use it mostly when I want to do a serious tasting session of a new tea.

I like the set. I don't feel it is a necessary addition to my collection, nor would I say you have to own one, but it's nice to have around when I'm in the mood to be fussy with my tea.

[Victoria]

Can I share an experience with you? Picture this: A tea plantation in Hawaii, sitting upstairs in a beautiful two story owner's home on his expansive lanai. We are looking out over the tea plants and the palm trees and rolling green areas and native plants that give way to the ocean.
He brings a tea tray and aroma cups and we are tasting 4 of his Hawaii grown teas, right there, on his lanai. In aroma cups.

Paradise in paradise. It was definitely an experience I will never forget.

[Dresden]

I think the "flip" y'all are talking about is shown in this video at the 6:10 mark. It's a pretty good video of gongfu tea but I find he rinses the tea waaaay too much!!

[nickE]

Ever since I read Hobbes' article on aroma cups http://half-dipper.blogspot.com/2007/08 ... ngbei.html, and bought a pair from Hou De (the 50ml size because I'm not a fan of the tiny 30ml cups), I'm addicted! There is so much that I get from the aroma cup that I don't get from the tea itself, it always seems a waste to me if I'm not using them.

The aroma cup gives clues into the tea that you sometimes cannot get any other way, scents come out that you don't get just by smelling the top of a filled teacup. Also, the scent from the aroma cup changes as the cup cools, which forms a parallel to the flavors of the tea and the huigan (aftertaste).

I use my aroma cups for Pu'ers (raw and cooked), Oolongs, and some Hong Cha. I don't always use them for the whole tea session, but usually for at least the first 3 infusions. This is because usually the aroma fades before the flavors of the tea itself do, rendering the aroma cup useless.

Anyway, just my .02

Can I share an experience with you? Picture this: A tea plantation in Hawaii, sitting upstairs in a beautiful two story owner's home on his expansive lanai. We are looking out over the tea plants and the palm trees and rolling green areas and native plants that give way to the ocean.
He brings a tea tray and aroma cups and we are tasting 4 of his Hawaii grown teas, right there, on his lanai. In aroma cups.

Paradise in paradise. It was definitely an experience I will never forget.

Jealous!!!

[rabbit]

I use an aroma cup by filling it with the tea, placing the small teacup (about 30ml) on top of the aroma cup and flipping the two upside down (thus pouring the tea into the drinking cup), I then spinning the cup in between my palms while smelling the tea vapor.