Hey TeaFriends, come on in and share what is in your cup throughout the day.
Yesterday we discussed the average cost of our tea orders. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.
Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic is about tea tastings. Have you participated in group tea tastings that were shipped to you? If not, would you like to? If yes, how was the experience and would you do more?
I am looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone. Bottoms up!
Oct 12th, '10, 00:54
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Oct 12th, '10, 00:54
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Re: TeaTastiing?
When I say group tastings, I am referring to a group of people, "participants," all receiving the same tea or group of teas from a "host." They can be highly or loosely organized.
Participants then share notes and impressions about the tea.
Like OTTI.
Participants then share notes and impressions about the tea.
Like OTTI.
Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
Why, yes...
All of the TC OTTI's so far.
Puerh mix in my cup now.
All of the TC OTTI's so far.
Puerh mix in my cup now.
Oct 12th, '10, 03:17
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debunix
Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
I have participated in quite a few tastings on another forum, and now two OTTI here on TeaChat. I find them to be a lot of fun, to see how my results compare to others, to get tips on how to best prepare a particular tea, that have often informed my brewing of many other related teas. I've investigated green oolongs, senchas, and strong young sheng puerh in the context of these tastings, rediscovered the wonders of white teas, and my breakthrough sencha experience opened up green teas to me again.
Lately I'm just a little slow completing the sets of infusions--it's not so easy to find time to brew with sufficient focus when I can also keep up reporting, especially for many-infusion teas. So, I'm trying not to join every one, because I'm still trying to finish the OTTI #5 while OTTI #6 is well under way!
Only one tea Monday, a dark charcoal roasted TGY from Taiwan, from Norbu. It traveled in the thermos exceptionally well.
Lately I'm just a little slow completing the sets of infusions--it's not so easy to find time to brew with sufficient focus when I can also keep up reporting, especially for many-infusion teas. So, I'm trying not to join every one, because I'm still trying to finish the OTTI #5 while OTTI #6 is well under way!
Only one tea Monday, a dark charcoal roasted TGY from Taiwan, from Norbu. It traveled in the thermos exceptionally well.
Oct 12th, '10, 06:17
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IPT
Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
I have never participated in a tea tasting that was shipped to me. I would really like to, especially with some different Japanese teas.
Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
I've participated in all but one of the OTTIs and I expect (strongly hope) the TKY will arrive with today's mail.
The silver needles OTTI was illuminating. It took place just as I was moving toward exploring chinese teas, and taught me the wide variety of experiences that I could have with just one particular tea. I also learned - not much of a surprise here - that a well-chosen expensive tea tastes better than the less expensive ones. So one side effect of participation is that I'm spending more on the teas that I order but since I now I brew my tea one gram at a time I can afford to do so.
Another side effect is that my teaware is shrinking. First I bought a 5.4 oz Gyokko kyusu, then I bought a set of 5 oz tasting sets from Adagio, and my most recent purchase is a small 3 oz gaiwan from Tea Gallery. Small, smaller, smallest!
In my cup this morning - Seven Cups Silver Needles.
The silver needles OTTI was illuminating. It took place just as I was moving toward exploring chinese teas, and taught me the wide variety of experiences that I could have with just one particular tea. I also learned - not much of a surprise here - that a well-chosen expensive tea tastes better than the less expensive ones. So one side effect of participation is that I'm spending more on the teas that I order but since I now I brew my tea one gram at a time I can afford to do so.
Another side effect is that my teaware is shrinking. First I bought a 5.4 oz Gyokko kyusu, then I bought a set of 5 oz tasting sets from Adagio, and my most recent purchase is a small 3 oz gaiwan from Tea Gallery. Small, smaller, smallest!
In my cup this morning - Seven Cups Silver Needles.
Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
Yes many different tastings and the OTTIs as well.
Starting the day with Turzum Darjeeling and <4 hours sleep.
Starting the day with Turzum Darjeeling and <4 hours sleep.
Oct 12th, '10, 09:41
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Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
I think a group tasting is a great idea.
I haven't participated in any but sure would like to once I feel like I'm experienced enough to contribute some more competent comments. Or maybe it's more interesting when there are people from all levels of experience?
A short break from Sencha for me today. I had some Silver Needles I picked up at Mariage Frères during a trip to Paris a couple of weeks ago (nice place but overpriced).
JRS22, I noticed the same thing with me and the teaware I use getting smaller and smaller. When I started out with loose leaf tea, I didn't quite realize you could get so many good infusions out of the tea leaves and therefore went with bigger, more "western style" pots and cups at first. Then I learned more about how to prepare tea and bought smaller and more traditional style Japanese teaware and I am already planning on going smaller in the near future
I haven't participated in any but sure would like to once I feel like I'm experienced enough to contribute some more competent comments. Or maybe it's more interesting when there are people from all levels of experience?
A short break from Sencha for me today. I had some Silver Needles I picked up at Mariage Frères during a trip to Paris a couple of weeks ago (nice place but overpriced).
JRS22, I noticed the same thing with me and the teaware I use getting smaller and smaller. When I started out with loose leaf tea, I didn't quite realize you could get so many good infusions out of the tea leaves and therefore went with bigger, more "western style" pots and cups at first. Then I learned more about how to prepare tea and bought smaller and more traditional style Japanese teaware and I am already planning on going smaller in the near future
Oct 12th, '10, 09:57
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Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
Voted "other".
Recieved one OTTI at this point... and have been SO busy that I have not yet had time to devote to the focused tasting/sampling that such a situation deserves. Frustrating.
best,
...................john
Recieved one OTTI at this point... and have been SO busy that I have not yet had time to devote to the focused tasting/sampling that such a situation deserves. Frustrating.
best,
...................john
Oct 12th, '10, 11:03
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Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
[quote="Stentor"]
I haven't participated in any but sure would like to once I feel like I'm experienced enough to contribute some more competent comments. Or maybe it's more interesting when there are people from all levels of experience?[quote]
If you have taste buds, and some interesting in learning more about tea, you are experienced enough! I started out some of them pretty darn 'incompetent' with a particular tea, and learned enough to pick up the rest of 'competent' on my own.
I haven't participated in any but sure would like to once I feel like I'm experienced enough to contribute some more competent comments. Or maybe it's more interesting when there are people from all levels of experience?[quote]
If you have taste buds, and some interesting in learning more about tea, you are experienced enough! I started out some of them pretty darn 'incompetent' with a particular tea, and learned enough to pick up the rest of 'competent' on my own.
Oct 12th, '10, 11:16
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Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
Yes, I've participated in a couple of group TeaTastings. Both were with Lochan Teas. In fact, that is where I found my favorite go-to Tea, 2nd Flush 2010 Hattialli Golden Lion Assam.
Possibly would participate in others.
MF Marco Polo this a.m.
Possibly would participate in others.
MF Marco Polo this a.m.
Oct 12th, '10, 11:32
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Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
All right, sounds cool! I sort of meant that I'm afraid I might lack the vocabulary to describe to others what I'm tasting when I don't have any point of reference to a previous tea of the type being tasted. I would also need some pointers as to how to brew a completely unknown tea so as not to ruin the limited quantity but I guess that can be arranged, especially in a group.debunix wrote:If you have taste buds, and some interesting in learning more about tea, you are experienced enough! I started out some of them pretty darn 'incompetent' with a particular tea, and learned enough to pick up the rest of 'competent' on my own.
Oct 12th, '10, 11:42
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Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
yes, quite a few. It's nice to drink the same tea at the same time as others, it's nice when someone puts a name or a description to some aspect of the tea that you can't quite figure out
sipping some tgy from the current otti just now, thanks to IPT.
sipping some tgy from the current otti just now, thanks to IPT.
Oct 12th, '10, 11:57
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debunix
Re: Tuesday TeaDay 10/12/10 TeaTasting?
There is nearly always a post describing how the vendor of that particular tea suggests it be brewed, and several more posts if members of the tasting group think that is off a bunch, and plenty of willingness to translate often cryptic things like brew 212° 5", 10", 15" into something you can understand easily--just ask.Stentor wrote:hat I'm afraid I might lack the vocabulary to describe to others what I'm tasting when I don't have any point of reference to a previous tea of the type being tasted. I would also need some pointers as to how to brew a completely unknown tea so as not to ruin the limited quantity but I guess that can be arranged, especially in a group.
Comparative tastings have been the single most important aspect of my self-education in tea, whether solo or as part of an online or face-to-face group.