Monday TeaDay 2/23/09 Tea brewing changes?

[Chip]

Welcome to TeaDay, TeaFriends. Please share what is in your cup throughout the day today.

Yesterday the vast majority of responders indicated they were nature lovers on some level. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Continuing what we started last week, as time is passing, are you finding that your brewing methods are becoming more relaxed, casual, laid back? Or more precise, serious, painstaking? Please share where you came from and where you are going.

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

[Salsero]

Ever so slightly more relaxed. Shuppin Sencha, spent leaves:

[Victoria]

Leaning towards more relaxed, things are easier for me now that I've been around awhile. Brewing comes easy for me in most situations, so less less fuss and worry.

[tsverrir]

I would have voted: More relaxed, but still more precise.

Started off this day with some GABA tea from Taiwan.

[bi lew chun]

I admire the relaxed nature of Korean tea ceremony, and generally brew casually. However, I've recently become more stringent in my preparation methods when trying to know a tea fully. I feel that the exercise will allow me to be a better casual brewer. I still view the end result (steeped tea) as a kind of art, even if there is science involved in getting there.

[olivierco]

Definitively more relaxed. But as tsverrir wrote, more precise.

Matcha to start the day (Shin Shun Wakamatsu no Mukashi)

[Drax]

I think I quickly reached equilibrium, so I said no change at this point.

I'm having some of Adagios' Gyokuro this morning. Maybe it will be a green week??

[omegapd]

Mine don't change. Why mess with perfection?

[cherylopal]

I voted not really changed- seems like there are two things for me to consider- my methods and my feelings towards my methods. My methods have changed considerably- I now have a gyokuro brewing set, a kyusu, a gaiwan, and a scale on the way but my feelings about precision and playing around are the same.

rishi's jade cloud for breakfast

[acdidion]

I voted for more precise because I've gotten more careful about my brewing in the last few months, but painstaking is the wrong word. I find that making tea is very relaxing even if the process is precise. Making tea is what I do in the quiet hours of the morning and to unwind at the end of the day and I would never call it painstaking.

[boywoodhe]

I voted for not really changed.
I brew to taste..what taste good to me.
I like to experiment on different brewing times on greens, whites and oolongs teas. Black tea...I always brew 2- 1/2 mins.

[Herb_Master]

I have not voted, part of the time I more relaxed, casual, sometimes even slapdash. As skills and experience grow it is easier to successfully brew a good cup without as much apparent thought and care, and subsequent infusions can make adjustments if the first is a little off.

However familiarity can breed contempt and the occasional - "oops what happened here moment" turns me back into a formal mode, consulting notes, and recording impressions - contemplating the age of the product, have I stored it badly, are todays conditions or my mood unusual.

Occasionally I find a tea better than previously, time to add to my notes.

New teas that arrive through the door begin by being treated with a formal, precise approach.

[silverneedles]

mmmm

[silverneedles]

I voted for not really changed.
I brew to taste..what taste good to me.
I like to experiment on different brewing times on greens, whites and oolongs teas.

+1

[olivierco]

Kaboku sencha after my lunch.