Thursday 12/13/12 New Tradition revisited

[Chip]

A Back to the Future TeaDay!
This feature was first born in 2008 and I have been neglecting asking TCers about their fave monthly tea for a while. So way back then I asked ...

Welcome one and all to TeaDay, so pour a pot of brew and come share what is in your cup through out the day. Of course, be certain to check out what everyone else is sipping as well.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic is the start of a new tradition. At the start of each month, I will ask what your fave tea was the previous month. How I ask it, may vary however. Today, I ask first of all, what type is it, then share something more about it, hopefully including why this topped your list for the month.

So, reflect about last month's teas, and share with us.

I am anxious to hear about your fave tea for November and the first half of December (and start thinking about what starred for 2012) ... and to hear what is in your cup today!

Bottoms up!

[SilentChaos]

I've been drinking pretty much nothing but aged oolongs, and my fav at the moment would have to be my aged Chinese TGY.

[ethan]

Drinking 2 teas: I have a giant mug of a bland Indonesian black from Mountain Tea for when I am at the computer or likewise not savouring what I drink, & I have gongfu going w/ a good oolong for when I take a few minutes to really taste something special.
I don't usually drink this way & think I won't do it again.

[amaranto]

I have been drinking Seven Cups's High Mountain Tie Guan Yin Anxi Wulong for a few weeks now and really enjoy it. It is not as thick on the tongue as some oolongs I have tried, but it has a nice, lingering floral taste and is good for several steeps. It's just a good everyday tea.

[Evan Draper]

I can't stop smelling my 02 Fengqing, but I haven't nailed the brewing yet. Meanwhile the tenryu sencha tastes pretty sweet....

[brlarson]

Tea Habitat's Ni Wei Yi dancong was my fave for the last 6 weeks.
It was tough choice, though, and the next four contenders were all Japanese greens.

[debunix]

Over the past six weeks, it's been difficult not to reach for the "Imperial" TGY from Yunnan Sourcing every time I start a tea session. I went through a bit of a drought re: TGY before I got this batch, and as there are a bunch of vacuum packed packets in my stash, there's enough to last until the next harvest with a modicum of restraint.

[jaderabbit]

Just polished off a bag of dan-cha from Morning Crane Tea. Opening my second bag soon.

[AdamMY]

Just polished off a bag of dan-cha from Morning Crane Tea. Opening my second bag soon.

Good Tea, I have two bags myself that I have been itching to open. Trying to finish of some things I currently have open first.

[Tadpole]

Been OD-ing oolong, as usual. My mom brought a few pounds of the stuff from Taiwan, so I have been shaking those nuggets into my cup/mug/teapot/gaiwan/jar/bowl/bucket. Most of it is Alishan plus several ounces of Jing Xuan.

Dian hong in a gaiwan this morning. Chocolately and malty.

[Devoted135]

Voted for Rooibos because in Oct/Nov I had the opportunity to spend 15 days in South Africa and finally learned how to brew it right. I love having a relaxing pot right before bed, especially now that winter is finally kicking in.

[ethan]

Is brewing rooibus right, a heaping teaspoon for 8 oz. for at least 6 minutes?

[Poohblah]

Voted for Rooibos because in Oct/Nov I had the opportunity to spend 15 days in South Africa and finally learned how to brew it right. I love having a relaxing pot right before bed, especially now that winter is finally kicking in.

Please let me know the "right" way to brew rooibos! Sometimes I brew it like tea, sometimes like pour-over or drip coffee. I think brewing it like coffee seems to work a little better.

[Devoted135]

Is brewing rooibus right, a heaping teaspoon for 8 oz. for at least 6 minutes?

Yep, I (now) use similar proportions to black teas, steep for about 9 minutes (water just off the boil) and it's not a big deal if I forget and accidentally steep for 20 minutes. I add a healthy dash of (soy/almond) milk and about a teaspoon of honey. I hope that works for you guys, I went from finding it sickly sweet to absolutely lovely.

Voted for Rooibos because in Oct/Nov I had the opportunity to spend 15 days in South Africa and finally learned how to brew it right. I love having a relaxing pot right before bed, especially now that winter is finally kicking in.

Please let me know the "right" way to brew rooibos! Sometimes I brew it like tea, sometimes like pour-over or drip coffee. I think brewing it like coffee seems to work a little better.

I've never tried brewing it like coffee, what does it taste like when brewed that way?