SUNDAY TeaDay 5/18/08

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Still discussing vendors, when selecting or evaluating a vendor, which is most important?

Price
0
No votes
Quality
18
34%
The relationship of price to quality...value
24
45%
Selection
3
6%
Customer service
0
No votes
Reputation or what other TeaChatters are saying about the vendor
5
9%
Gut feeling
2
4%
Other
1
2%
 
Total votes: 53
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May 18th, '08, 03:05
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SUNDAY TeaDay 5/18/08

by Chip » May 18th, '08, 03:05

Yesterday, TeaChatters' top pick was 3...3 being the number of primary vendors for Tea. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Welcome everyone to TeaDay, brew some tea and come share what is in your cup today...all day. Be sure to check out what others are sipping today as well. You can also reflect back upon your TeaDay if you need to.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic is again about vendors. How would you rate the importance of price, quality, value, selection, customer service, reputation...or maybe I am missing some others. Rate their importance to you as you select or evaluate a Tea vendor.

I am as always looking forward to seeing everyone on TeaDay. Bottoms up, refill, repeat...
Last edited by Chip on May 18th, '08, 03:27, edited 1 time in total.
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May 18th, '08, 03:18
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by PolyhymnianMuse » May 18th, '08, 03:18

I voted value. I've had some really cheap teas that were terrible, and "quality" teas that were just a waste of money. I usually look for the same tea of various websites to get an idea of general price and make my decision. It's always good to be able to taste the teas side by side.
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May 18th, '08, 03:42
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by omegapd » May 18th, '08, 03:42

Selection for me. Gotta be able to find what I'm looking for first, and then can compare prices, etc.

Enjoying the greatest value in the tea world this morning. CTC Assam from the Indian grocery store.

EW
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May 18th, '08, 03:53
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by Salsero » May 18th, '08, 03:53

Malty and bitter comfort provided courtesy of Assam. The flowers are Albizia julibrissin, just plain Mimosa to their friends.
Image
Last edited by Salsero on May 18th, '08, 09:33, edited 1 time in total.
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May 18th, '08, 04:23
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by tenuki » May 18th, '08, 04:23

Quality of the tea is first for me. If it isn't there I don't care about the rest.
Do something different, something different will happen. ( Gong Fu Garden )
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May 18th, '08, 05:24
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by olivierco » May 18th, '08, 05:24

Quality.

This morning Yunnan Golden tips.
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May 18th, '08, 06:33
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by ThinkingOutLoud » May 18th, '08, 06:33

Quality. If the tea isn't really good, what's the point?

Trying to decide what to treat myself to this sad Sunday morning. Harrumph. I think maybe Birthday Tea is in order for some fun.
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May 18th, '08, 07:56
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by Victoria » May 18th, '08, 07:56

It's all about the Quality.

ThinkingOutLoud - I keep thinking it is your Birthday, every time I read about you having Birthday Tea! You are confusing me, I'm not a morning person!

My breakfast cup: Darjeeling, Makaibari Estate Oolong, Organic

Have a nice day everyone!
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May 18th, '08, 08:23
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by ThinkingOutLoud » May 18th, '08, 08:23

Victoria wrote:ThinkingOutLoud - I keep thinking it is your Birthday, every time I read about you having Birthday Tea! You are confusing me, I'm not a morning person!
LOL No, alas, not 'til July. But the Birthday Tea has made me feel festive, even with *more* rain on the way. Y'all think I'm joking about building an ark, but I've found plans: http://www.ehow.com/how_2120468_build-ark.html.
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May 18th, '08, 08:38
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by Trey Winston » May 18th, '08, 08:38

Quality, without question. I have to know that I'm getting good stuff.
Trey
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May 18th, '08, 09:11
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by Ladytiger » May 18th, '08, 09:11

For me it's both value and reputation. I definatly do want to get good tea for a reasonable price but then I want to buy tea from vendors that teachatters know and love.
I'm cheating this morning because I wanted something quick and sweet so sweet tea it is with scrabbled eggs and toast. *waits for the torches and pitchforks* I'm still confused about the Yunnan Jig last night, maybe less time?
Last edited by Ladytiger on May 18th, '08, 10:57, edited 1 time in total.
May 18th, '08, 09:47
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by Beanbean » May 18th, '08, 09:47

I had a hard time choosing between quality and value but in this era of nearly four dollar a gallon gasoline, I had to go with value. Fortunately, I have found some excellent tea from good vendors at great prices so I am pretty content. Besides, quality is relative. My perfect brew may be dreck to someone else. (Though I doubt it. :P )

This morning I'm working on my second cup of Ceylon as an accompaniment to my plain yogurt and granola with banana slices. It's gonna be a great day!
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May 18th, '08, 10:07
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by witches brew » May 18th, '08, 10:07

Quality is the ultimate for me. Life is too short to drink bad tea.

And I haven't had any tea yet this morning. I'm still half-way through the first part of breakfast, which is fresh-squeezed orange juice and toast. Tea will follow. I am in a peppermint tisane mood this morning.
Brewing joy, happiness and green tea, like any good TeaWitch should!
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May 18th, '08, 10:28
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by GalileosDaughter » May 18th, '08, 10:28

Quality, quality, quality. I'll be cheap with other things, but not my tea!

ETA: Drinking Assam Melody this morning. Love the pic, Salsero!
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May 18th, '08, 10:40
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Farmers' Shincha

by Salsero » May 18th, '08, 10:40

I am sitting here staring at these very beautiful Farmers' Shincha leaves sent to me by Insanitylater. According to Hibiki-an, this is the Aracha farmers drink, minimally processed, neither sorted nor dried, and including stems, which seems to make it Karigane as well. Anyway, I wanted to show you all these leaves.
Image
And ask Chip if my usual parameters of 3.75 gr to 6 oz water, 160°, 1.5 m would get me started on the right foot with this beauty.

Also, thanks to devites who sent me some delicious Hatsumi (now consumed) a few days ago.
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