Good TeaDay everyone. I hope you will take a moment to share what is in your cup throughout the day.
Yesterday most responders indicated they owned a "go to" teacup. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.
Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. How often do you brew your tea incorrectly, or just not as well as you would have liked? I am talking about "human brewing error." Please share your misbrewing experiences.
I am looking forward to perfectly brewed tea with everyone today, I hope. Bottoms up ...
Mar 4th, '09, 01:27
Posts: 20891
Joined: Apr 22nd, '06, 20:52
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Location: Back in the TeaCave atop Mt. Fuji
Yes, it happens sometimes, particularly when I'm in a rush or distracted by other things - especially irksome is ruining perfectly fine gyokuro by answering the phone. My record is much better at home than at work.
When I'm trying new teas or experimenting I'm fairly focussed, but even then it can occasionally just go wrong.
Have been drinking a nameless Bao Zhong all day long (gift from a co-worker). Pretty satisfying so I'll say no human error this time.
When I'm trying new teas or experimenting I'm fairly focussed, but even then it can occasionally just go wrong.
Have been drinking a nameless Bao Zhong all day long (gift from a co-worker). Pretty satisfying so I'll say no human error this time.
Not too often... certainly a new tea brings challenges.... and of course, I'm making the assumption that I'm brewing it correctly to begin with! 
Today I will be exploring a 2007 Mengsa Arbor. We're starting off pretty nice, but I'm afraid my allergies and morning congestion might be getting in the way... *sigh*
Today I will be exploring a 2007 Mengsa Arbor. We're starting off pretty nice, but I'm afraid my allergies and morning congestion might be getting in the way... *sigh*
+1Trey Winston wrote:All the time. I'm easily distracted.
I have the same problem Trey it makes me so mad sometimes but oh well.
Once I put my tea infuser in a mug to steep and somehow ended up outside working in my garden
I went inside proably an hour later to find way oversteeped room temp. tea... yum drank it anyways.
Mar 4th, '09, 10:06
Posts: 995
Joined: Feb 8th, '08, 14:22
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Contact:
auggy
Happens occasionally. Mostly I don't figure out the proper amount of leaf to use (Zoji takes care of temp, timer takes care of steep time, so that's pretty much what I have left to screw up) and typically that is from being much too tired while making my first cup of tea in the morning to do proper math to figure out the grams needed. That really only happens on days that I don't use our normal travel mugs because I sat down one night and wrote on a Post It how many grams are needed for when I make my 12oz and DH's 16oz travel mugs of tea. That Post It is taped inside of the cabinet door where my tea cups and pots are so no matter how tired I am, I can just look and see how much is needed. But days I do a different travel mug combo, all bets are off.
No tea this morning. Not feeling good.
No tea this morning. Not feeling good.
More often than I care to admit. 
Although much less often since I invested in a scale and digital thermometer. Still, I tend to stick with Chinese teas during work hours because they seem to be more forgiving than the Japanese greens. If I'm distracted by an email or call while brewing, they still turn out drinkable.
E Mei E Rui this morning.
Although much less often since I invested in a scale and digital thermometer. Still, I tend to stick with Chinese teas during work hours because they seem to be more forgiving than the Japanese greens. If I'm distracted by an email or call while brewing, they still turn out drinkable. E Mei E Rui this morning.
I have trouble occasionally, but I've been brewing familiar teas of late so my brews have generally been good. I still have some trouble brewing successive infusions of Japanese greens but that is getting better too.
Finished yesterday with Jing's 2008 Xiang Hua TGY. It is very light bodied with youthful vitality and shows at most light roasting. It is slightly creamy but with an incredible concentration of floral aromas and tastes -- I haven't eaten many flowers so I won't try to describe them. If you like subtle teas then this is worth tasting.
Mem Imports Organic Wuyi Oolong in my cup right now.
Finished yesterday with Jing's 2008 Xiang Hua TGY. It is very light bodied with youthful vitality and shows at most light roasting. It is slightly creamy but with an incredible concentration of floral aromas and tastes -- I haven't eaten many flowers so I won't try to describe them. If you like subtle teas then this is worth tasting.
Mem Imports Organic Wuyi Oolong in my cup right now.
Last edited by brlarson on Mar 4th, '09, 14:07, edited 1 time in total.
Mar 4th, '09, 10:46
Posts: 5151
Joined: Dec 20th, '06, 23:33
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Location: Gainesville, Florida
I voted that it happens occasionally. I think that I have blacks down pretty well and can get consistent results. My problem is greens! I've tried quite a few times, and they rarely come out right for me ... or maybe (blasphemy alert!) I don't really like them that much?
Hopefully that will be remedied when I get my "Green Starter Set" from Den's Tea. Figured I should give greens a fair chance plus get a cute little kyusu in the deal.
Hopefully that will be remedied when I get my "Green Starter Set" from Den's Tea. Figured I should give greens a fair chance plus get a cute little kyusu in the deal.
Mar 4th, '09, 11:04
Posts: 88
Joined: Feb 8th, '09, 10:57
Location: Buffalo, New York
Contact:
Nexius8510
+1 alsobrad4419 wrote:+1Trey Winston wrote:All the time. I'm easily distracted.
I have the same problem Trey it makes me so mad sometimes but oh well.
Once I put my tea infuser in a mug to steep and somehow ended up outside working in my garden
Haha, I find myself doing that way to often :\ I don't know what my problem is! Generally since I came here however, I blame TeaChat
Haha, I'll put a pot on come back to my laptop to continue reading and totally forget about what I was doing! Oh well, it happens. Unfortunately, I have been away from home since last night so, no tea for me yet. Hope everyone has a great day! 