Tuesday TeaDay 3/24/09 Tea Experiments II

[Chip]

It is a good day for lots of tea, please stop by and share what is in your cup with us.
Today TeaDay is sporting orange in tribute to the new TeaChat look thanks to Inguna and Ilya!

Yesterday responders indicated varying degrees of experimentation versus contentment in their tea choices. You can still vote and discuss yesterday's topic.

Today's TeaPoll and discussion topic. Tea Experiments II, how much do you experiment in brewing tea, in particular a new tea?

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

Check out the new Box Pass under Signature Blends!
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[Salsero]

I generally start from some previous standard and try to fine tune from there. When that doesn't seem to be working or when flummoxed by something novel, I seek advice via the TeaChat search function, Google, vendors, blogs, and by posting questions in TeaChat. Sencha is the hardest thing for me to brew. I have a devil of a time getting consistency even when I think I have reproduced previous parameters meticulously. But when it works, it's dynamite.

[Chip]

... looks like someone needs to post a photo or two in the Hagi Topic!!!

[Pentox]

For sake of comparison and reviewing, I tend to try to keep my parameters as close to my normal as possible. Once I've done a review of my particular tea though I'll experiment around with it to try to determine it's true character.

[sp1key]

I rarely deviate methods etc when testing new pu, for aged pu or appreciating I prefer to be relax and enjoying it rather than spending too much time fussing over methods etc

[boywoodhe]

I experiment with new tea once in a while, when it doesn't taste right, to my taste. I might add other teas or brew less or longer, it all depends on the tea.

Drinking raspberry green at the moment...yummy!
You have to try it! This tea has a nice hint of raspberry with the nice backround of mellow green tea.

[Drax]

How appropriately... I completely botched a brew of a dragonwell this morning. Or at least, I'm hoping, because otherwise this tea is terrible. I think I used way too much, though. So yes, experimentation usually out of necessity.

Although even if I get to a place where I enjoy the tea, I will still push the parameters to see if I can find anything better.

In my cup this morning -- as I mentioned, a dragonwell ...

[acdidion]

I tend to stick with my parameters with a new tea, but if I am not satisfied with how it turns out then I experiment. If I don't get a tea right at first it can be a bit frustrating until I do, I worry that it is just not good tea and sometimes that is the case, but usually it is my error.

[Victoria]

For me: When brewing (new) tea I experiment basically when I am not satisfied with my normal brewing methods/parameters

New teas go by my basic parameters first, then I try and tweak them accordingly.

In my cup this morning FF Darjeeling from Lupicia.

Have a nice day everyone!

[tea-guy]

I experiment somewhat with all teas, but do have some regimen which I attempt to adhere to.

[brlarson]

I usually experiment quite a bit with new teas, and the better the tea the more I will poke it.

Teaspring's Rou Gui this morning.

[Chip]

I will usually try my set method first and try to draw some conclusion as to whether any changes are needed. However sometimes instincts kick in that cause me to try a different approach first.

I am a bit fanatical about trying to find the very best brewing method for a particular tea in order to bring out its very best qualities, but I seem to have mellowed in this just a bit ... which might be a good thing?

Began the TeaDay with organic Kagoshima from Yuuki-Cha which was very good! SweeTea was enjoying it quite a bit. Pyrit, TEAh, and Lil Bit took turns passing through ...

Next up ...

[silvermage2000]

I only change how I brew when I do not like how the cup turns out with new teas.

[Cinnamon Kitty]

I start off with either the recommended brewing parameters given with the tea if they are feasible to use or parameters that have worked well with a similar tea. If neither of those work, I change things up a bit until I get something that tastes good.

Currently in my cup is Wuyi Shui Xian "D" from Gingko. It has a surprisingly strong charcoal scent, but the flavor is more balanced with dark chocolate and berry flavors.

[olivierco]

I generally start from some previous standard and try to fine tune from there.

+1

Kanro gyokuro in a few minutes.