I'm moving to Seattle in the Fall, and moving in with a roommate I've known since middle school. I'm there for Japanese politics, he's there for Song Dynasty poetry. He's haughty, slightly arrogant, but since he started dating this girl, a lot more open.
It was his birthday yesterday, and I asked whether he wanted dark chocolate (something he loves) or a tea kit. He knows nothing about tea except for what I rant about (which happens a lot on Twitter). So, it surprised me when he said he'd like a beginner's tea kit for his birthday.
The crucial question is which direction I should take this in. I already tried introducing him to craft beer and that was nigh disastrous. So I need to prepare a very, very carefully calculated kit with useful but not terrifying or intimidating equipment and newbie palate friendly tea.
I have a vague idea of what I might do, but I'd first like to seek the wise counseil of the ITD sages.
To plug our most excellent patron, Adagio's beginners kit is grand. You get the Ingenuitea, and a starter set of black, green, and a couple other choices. Get him a glass mug (which will hold an entire ingenuitea) and he's set.
That is how I started out my grand tea adventure and I still use it when I travel.
If you aren't a fan of plastic, there is a set with the personalitea instead. I've given two of those as gifts and they've done over swimmingly.
My two yen,
Fencer
That is how I started out my grand tea adventure and I still use it when I travel.
If you aren't a fan of plastic, there is a set with the personalitea instead. I've given two of those as gifts and they've done over swimmingly.
My two yen,
Fencer
I would say expose him to the corners of the tea kingdom.
Pu
Darjeeling
Silver Needles
Sencha
And from there fill in a few gaps as you see fit. A brewing vessel would be good too. I would say plain ceramic until he finds his corner. Or maybe a gaiwan, but that's getting a bit complicated for beginning.
Pu
Darjeeling
Silver Needles
Sencha
And from there fill in a few gaps as you see fit. A brewing vessel would be good too. I would say plain ceramic until he finds his corner. Or maybe a gaiwan, but that's getting a bit complicated for beginning.
I'm going to plug Adagio's starter kit, too. I recently ordered one and was thrilled. I can't think of a person who wouldn't love their sample tins, Chris's book is a decent and informative read, and the ingenuiTEA is just plain fun. It's crazy easy to clean, and the filter is the finest I've seen without going to paper. It's become my go to for all things rooibos, and I've brewed some fuka in it several times with great results. Maybe even better than my kyusu. And if your friend is the sort to use the microwave for everything, the ingenuiTEA will pull through.
Very flexible for the ultra-beginner, really.
Very flexible for the ultra-beginner, really.
Jul 24th, '08, 20:51
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I was basically referring to the fact that it is (so far) dishwasher friendly, and nothing gets stuck in the filter. Seriously...after a year and a half of scrubbing brew baskets after rooibos, I appreciate that small fact much more than I should.
A gaiwan, however, really *is* crazy easy to clean. It's not my go to piece of teaware for complete noobs...it does take a bit of practice, after all. But if you're willing to assist, the learning curve should be lessened.
A gaiwan, however, really *is* crazy easy to clean. It's not my go to piece of teaware for complete noobs...it does take a bit of practice, after all. But if you're willing to assist, the learning curve should be lessened.
Jul 24th, '08, 21:59
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Location: the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy
Some specific ideas:
A Kokoro is damn near perfect for coolness and usefulness on the cheap. You can brew 99% of the tea out there in it, and mine have withstood ridiculous abuse.
A couple of '08 long jings from teaspring: Lion Xi Hu and Emperor. I've tried them both this year, and each carried a wicked payload of tea goodness.
A sampler from Mighty Leaf, because I've tried more of their samples than I can remember and have found them consistently good.
A Kokoro is damn near perfect for coolness and usefulness on the cheap. You can brew 99% of the tea out there in it, and mine have withstood ridiculous abuse.
A couple of '08 long jings from teaspring: Lion Xi Hu and Emperor. I've tried them both this year, and each carried a wicked payload of tea goodness.
A sampler from Mighty Leaf, because I've tried more of their samples than I can remember and have found them consistently good.
Jul 24th, '08, 22:54
Posts: 307
Joined: Apr 16th, '08, 04:39
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bi lew chun
I think this would be the best bet. You could substitute some kind of glass Bodum tea press if you think the gaiwan would intimidate. And silver needle instead of peony.Wesli wrote:I say go simple: a gaiwan with a cup in it, and a yummy beginner tea of the different categories: a golden buddy dianhong black, a dragonwell green, a white peony white, a wuyi oolong, a green oolong (taiwanese or TKY).
Jul 24th, '08, 23:20
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scruffmcgruff
I'd vote for a koryo teacup, which is a bit more user-friendly than a gaiwan but similarly minimalist. As for teas, I'd say no to sencha-- too picky. Some easy-to-brew blacks and oolongs (roasted TGY, maybe) would be a good bet, methinks.
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