Friday TeaDay 9/12/08 TeaBucks spending in 2008?

[Chip]

Good TeaDay, everyone! Let's brew and share what is in our cups today, all day!

Yesterday, Most TeaChatters were not so kind to the "other 3 teas." The vast majority of responders do not crave Rooibos, Yerbe Mate, or Herbals. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic is about TeaBudgets. How much do you expect that you will spend on TEA (no teaware, etc) in 2008? Do the math.

I am looking forward to sharing TeaDay with everyone today. Bottoms up ...

[Salsero]

Direct from the Thunderbolt Tea Company in Darjeeling, West Bengal.

The name Darjeeling purportedly derives from the concept in a local language of the thunderbold:

• "Dorje" the ecclesiastical scepter that represents
  the thunderbolt of Sakra, god of rain and thunder
  and very appropriate to the region; and "-ling"
  simply means place.

Click on the photo for a view of the dry leaves themselves.

[Beidao]

Having Keemun. Later it will definitily be Oolong and Kukicha. And some other things, still unknown.

Salsero - I like the way you put things together in your pictures to make them say more than "tea" only. You capture so much. I like how the chataku mirrors the colour of the tea, the package mirrors the whiteness of the yunomi, and the blue details goes well with the bluish background. Simple and balanced!

[tsverrir]

A large mug of shou on my way to work. I'll probably be drinking shou until noon to get my spirit up, but I've brought some rock oolong and Iron Goddess with me.

I've only been into tea for a few months so I'm still gearing up, but I figure that I've probably spent about $50 a month on tea only. Planning on keeping it that way, when I've built up sufficient quantity I'll be looking more at quality.

Have a nice one... (cup that is)

[omegapd]

I figure I've spent in the $150 range and am set for the rest of the year. I really try not to think about the $$$

EW

[Terrasi]

I can't decide whether I spend too much on tea or not enough.

[olivierco]

I haven't so far this year exceeded my 100€ monthly budget so roughly 1700$ per year

Houjicha with my lunch

[augie]

Salsero, that is pretty cool. All hand written package, no computer generated, scanable label. It's kind of like you get to know the person who shipped it.

Like EW, I am not keeping track of tea dollars. I know it has replaced a lot of soda dollars and that is a good thing. I am trying to just buy my lunch at noon and take hot tea with me and eat outside, lately. Soon I will be able to walk 2 blocks and have lunch at the new tea store!

TGIF

[Terrasi]

I haven't so far this year exceeded my 100€ monthly budget so roughly 1700$ per year

Did anyone else think "Wow, that's a lot!"

,But less than $200 a month isn't really a lot when you look at tea as a hobby, not just a drink. I spend about that on magic cards during competitive seasons.

I have a friend who spends WAY too much money driving RC cars.

When I can budget that kind of money on tea, I'll probably be happy about it.

[olivierco]

As you wrote, it is a matter of priorities. Many people spend way more than 100€ for cigarettes for instance. I am lucky to have a job with a decent pay so spending about 5$ a day on tea (not counting some generous gifts from my relatives) doesn't seem to me to be excessive.

[Trioxin]

Way more than I need to. Usually somewhere between $50 to $100 a month, or sometimes more. Then again, I don't party, I don't eat out alot, really I don't do much of anything so why not?

[kongni]

I spent 200-300 on shincha alone this spring. I would imagine I'm in the $1000+ range now that I do the math. I'm not embarrassed at all about my spending though. I get a lot of enjoyment from tea and it is something that I will always set money aside for.

Just finished my first steep of organic farmer's shincha. On to #2!

[Victoria]

I'm sure I'll be well over a grand with my taste for pricey High Mountain Oolongs. That and my foray into buying teas from India.

This morning a nice first flush Darjeeling from Lupicia.

Happy FRIDAY everyone!!!

[Smari]

Ah budget, when it comes to tea, I don't think there should be a budget
I've spent close to $500USD already this year alone and the year hasn't even end yet!

BTW, beautiful photo Sal! Seeing you photos every morning I come here on TC just gives me a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling

This morning, I had some iced Jasmine oolong right before I jumped in the car to get to work. Now, I'm having sencha fukamidori.

[auggy]

Hello, all! Sorry about going MIA for so long. Was grumpy and then was sick. But now I'm back to my chipper self and thankfully no longer sick.

I went through my budget for this year and added it all up and ended up with $350 for the year so far. Of course, if I add tea accessories that amount would double. Thank goodness you didn't ask about that, Chip!

Sal, I've missed your lovely photos while I've been gone. And I can't tell you how much I want to reach into today's picture and center the cup on the chataku! Yes, I can be just a little too structured.

I got the oolong box yesterday. That puppy is huge! I took some samples out of things that smelled yummy and am passing it on today (assuming that whole "schedule a mail carrier pickup" thing USPS has online with their Click n Ship actually works).

Happy Friday everyone!