The subject of Japanese black tea comes up from time to time, and I imagine that my fellow sencha enthusiasts may be as curious as I am.
Next month I'd like to host a tea tasting for this stuff:
http://www.tfactor.us/catalog/limited-e ... a-706.html
I am quite curious and I'd like to share it. Would anyone be interested? I'll purchase it and mail a sample to those who are.
If you are interested, pm me you're response/addy. I'll take the first seven. (seven plus me would mean everyone gets 15 grams, aprox.)
Dec 22nd, '07, 03:39
Posts: 1559
Joined: Jan 28th, '07, 02:24
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Contact:
Space Samurai
Dec 22nd, '07, 08:28
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Hey Space, a great idea to host this tea tasting. Count me in for the the barbeque Japanese black tea. Funny, this is their only Japanese tea offering.
I know we talked about this idea before. If someone different would do this say once a month, that would be great.
I would definately do a month. We could work up a schedule perhaps of those interested in participating.
I know we talked about this idea before. If someone different would do this say once a month, that would be great.
I would definately do a month. We could work up a schedule perhaps of those interested in participating.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
Dec 22nd, '07, 10:15
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Dec 22nd, '07, 11:18
Posts: 1559
Joined: Jan 28th, '07, 02:24
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Contact:
Space Samurai
Dec 22nd, '07, 12:00
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
I think it is a great idea...and I hope it catches on. I would say if you cannot get the needed number of participants, offer it outside to the general TeaChat population, but offer it here first.
I am already thinking what I would host when my time comes. I would say since you are already doing a Japanese tea, I would wait for at least one other offering, since I will clearly offer a Japanese green of some kind.
Heck, I might even try some pu-erh this way from some of our resident experts.
I am already thinking what I would host when my time comes. I would say since you are already doing a Japanese tea, I would wait for at least one other offering, since I will clearly offer a Japanese green of some kind.
Heck, I might even try some pu-erh this way from some of our resident experts.
Dec 22nd, '07, 13:37
Adagio
Posts: 29
Joined: Jun 10th, '05, 13:20
Location: Garfield, NJ
Contact:
michael
monthly tastings
We at Adagio have bemoaned the dearth of an authoritative voice to guide tea newbies in the bewildering choice of products and vendors. Love or hate him, hope you'll agree that Robert Parker has contributed immensely to the growth and popularity of wine consumption in this country. A similar voice in the realm of tea has yet to develop.
Years ago, we tried to fill this void with a venue that invited tea authors like Diana Rosen and James Norwood Pratt to blindly review teas under conditions resembling a wine tasting. It failed to develop, and we would be loath to try that format again.
The monthly tastings initiated by Space, open to all comers, is surely a more democratic, timely idea. With his permission, I propose we revive TeaCritic.com to be a compendium of opinions on teas sourced from a variety of vendors, both domestic and international, tasted blindly by all willing to take part in the experiment.
Please help us refine this initiative by offering suggestions on tea varieties and vendors you would like to see included in the upcoming tastings. Would monthly or bi-weekly be the preferred frequency of mailings? More importantly, what safeguards would you like to see us put in place to guarantee the objectivity of results given that Adagio Teas' products might be included in the tastings.
Looking forward to reading your suggestions. Many thanks in advance!
Years ago, we tried to fill this void with a venue that invited tea authors like Diana Rosen and James Norwood Pratt to blindly review teas under conditions resembling a wine tasting. It failed to develop, and we would be loath to try that format again.
The monthly tastings initiated by Space, open to all comers, is surely a more democratic, timely idea. With his permission, I propose we revive TeaCritic.com to be a compendium of opinions on teas sourced from a variety of vendors, both domestic and international, tasted blindly by all willing to take part in the experiment.
Please help us refine this initiative by offering suggestions on tea varieties and vendors you would like to see included in the upcoming tastings. Would monthly or bi-weekly be the preferred frequency of mailings? More importantly, what safeguards would you like to see us put in place to guarantee the objectivity of results given that Adagio Teas' products might be included in the tastings.
Looking forward to reading your suggestions. Many thanks in advance!
I believe a bit of the challenge that comes in is the relevance of the tastings to the audience. The people currently gathered here are more interested in exceptional teas, or curiosities like "Japanese black" that we have not seen anywhere else.
The most popular teas among the regulars seem to be Japanese green, yancha, and puerh. None of these are particularly cheap, or even accessible to a new tea drinker.
It is certainly possible to "grade" the different teas being tasted.
It is my opinion of Adagio that they are the ideal vendor for folks who are new to exploring tea, or folks who are more casual. The very diverse selection, good descriptions, photos, and reviews make it easy for people to explore. Adagio is doing amazing things in this market and I am not sure it makes any sense for them to compete in super premium teas. I think in a blind tasting of Chinese greens, or Indian teas, Adagio would consistently top the list. And we know who is the king of flavors
Having the site as a semi-official resource doesn't seem to kill impartial judgement on its own. Adagio has been very liberal with allowing teachat to review teas and teaware from anywhere on the web, and is a very nice site. I would just suggest grading the teas somewhat evenly, you would not have Adagio Dragonwell competing with a specialty vendor out of China.
Sort of a ramble, if you can make any sense of this I applaud you.
The most popular teas among the regulars seem to be Japanese green, yancha, and puerh. None of these are particularly cheap, or even accessible to a new tea drinker.
It is certainly possible to "grade" the different teas being tasted.
It is my opinion of Adagio that they are the ideal vendor for folks who are new to exploring tea, or folks who are more casual. The very diverse selection, good descriptions, photos, and reviews make it easy for people to explore. Adagio is doing amazing things in this market and I am not sure it makes any sense for them to compete in super premium teas. I think in a blind tasting of Chinese greens, or Indian teas, Adagio would consistently top the list. And we know who is the king of flavors
Having the site as a semi-official resource doesn't seem to kill impartial judgement on its own. Adagio has been very liberal with allowing teachat to review teas and teaware from anywhere on the web, and is a very nice site. I would just suggest grading the teas somewhat evenly, you would not have Adagio Dragonwell competing with a specialty vendor out of China.
Sort of a ramble, if you can make any sense of this I applaud you.
Dec 22nd, '07, 14:12
Posts: 1936
Joined: May 22nd, '06, 11:28
Location: Trapped inside a bamboo tong!
Contact:
hop_goblin
Re: Tea Tasting
Space Samurai wrote:The subject of Japanese black tea comes up from time to time, and I imagine that my fellow sencha enthusiasts may be as curious as I am.
Next month I'd like to host a tea tasting for this stuff:
http://www.tfactor.us/catalog/limited-e ... a-706.html
I am quite curious and I'd like to share it. Would anyone be interested? I'll purchase it and mail a sample to those who are.
If you are interested, pm me you're response/addy. I'll take the first seven. (seven plus me would mean everyone gets 15 grams, aprox.)
Dude I am in if the 7 slots are not taken!
Don't always believe what you think!
http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com
http://englishtea.us/
http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com
http://englishtea.us/
Dec 22nd, '07, 14:30
Adagio
Posts: 29
Joined: Jun 10th, '05, 13:20
Location: Garfield, NJ
Contact:
michael
aggregate by price point?
Very good points, all. To make the process useful for those new to tea, while at the same time interesting for connoisseurs, we may schedule two tastings each month. The first would aim to compare value-priced teas, while the second might set the loftier goal of identifying the finest teas in any one category. All would be invited to take part in either, or both.
Dec 22nd, '07, 15:38
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Once again, Alex is a creative innovator!
I would love to take part in the Japanese black tasting and also love to host a month myself. If the group becomes large, perhaps we could divide the work and expense by having co-hosts.
Posting a schedule would be nice so the hosts can plan ahead in case they want to order direct from China, India, Japan, or Taiwan. A couple months lead time would be helpful so they can be sure to have their product in hand before their month.
I would be willing to be involved in an Adagio sponsored event, since I respect Adagio and the corporate culture that has done more than anyone to foster a nascent US tea culture. I would be willing to bet that without TeaChat, there would be a least a few less tons of tea sold in the US each year! For many of us, TeaChat is the only way to communicate with others who like tea.
I would love to take part in the Japanese black tasting and also love to host a month myself. If the group becomes large, perhaps we could divide the work and expense by having co-hosts.
Posting a schedule would be nice so the hosts can plan ahead in case they want to order direct from China, India, Japan, or Taiwan. A couple months lead time would be helpful so they can be sure to have their product in hand before their month.
I would be willing to be involved in an Adagio sponsored event, since I respect Adagio and the corporate culture that has done more than anyone to foster a nascent US tea culture. I would be willing to bet that without TeaChat, there would be a least a few less tons of tea sold in the US each year! For many of us, TeaChat is the only way to communicate with others who like tea.