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Dive deep. Tea. I have been drinking tea for years. Slowly,
over time, I have compared and contrasted this and that tea. I have
learned bits, and portions, and notions, and such, but only in parts.
Never a full course on the topic. Why not? Because it was...
annoying. I just... wanted tea. I didn't what to have to think
about it.
Finally, though, as I realize better teas are actually worth a bit more
money? But not all? And then, at some point, tastes, preferences,
come into play? Well... rather than buy $40 of even a few ounces of good
tea, but of a sort I didn't like? I... wanted to look at grade, type,
more information to allow me a better chance at choosing a tea I like, at
various price points.
Messy, but... yes. Tea. So, a bit ago, I went looking.
Almost too much information, if you ask me. But... not, too. Just
too much to take in, in a quick hurry? Right, more that. So, I
have been... watching, watching again, covering some areas several times to
get it straight. Lots and lots of information. And, of course,
only examples of portions of samples of the areas of data sets.
Hmm? Way... too much. However, I can start, have started.
Though, after digging in there, I saw another video by the fellow. This
one seemed more... potentially... currently... functional. I have teas,
and some good ones. And I have liked some, some only so-so, and others
not so much. But... there... may be a problem. User error?
Maybe. This would be the way to find out.
So I dug into this one next, but present it first. And, yes, I see...
some of my problems. Specifically regarding a Japanese green, and to a
much less degree (if it might end up being much more of a degree when managed)
a white tea. My oolong has been very very nice, and I see why. If
too, I see where I might be able to improve the cup just a wee.
Of course? I don't believe a damn thing he is saying. However, he
is sure about what he is saying. And... seems to come loaded for
bear. So I will give him, or his presentation, more than a hot second
before tossing it in the rubbish bin. So... back to... tea production
one oh one? Sort of.
And, to be honest, even if I don't believe? I... want to believe.
I think he may have points? As I have said, I do things, often, on a
sort of faith. I believe almost nothing, from no one, unless I have come
to similar conclusions after going through a serious period of disbelief,
trial, and examination. So... all good. It's... how I do.
As to the types of tea? This... is what drew me in. And, if you
can believe a thing out of his mouth? Then? I have chosen some...
quality teas. Assuming what I am sold is what is presented. My
white tea was his second preferred, if technically by him even the superior
tea. Our tastes don't always match quality, rarity, and such
standards. So, very fair either way. One of my green teas is of
reasonable quality. Even my chosen oolong is a respectable sort.
Not... that I care, in the sense of going along to go along.
I chose my teas on several factors, tasted (if steeping issues may remain),
and then accepted or didn't. My teas are chosen by flavor, not price,
standing, or else. Of course, I didn't have access to as proper of
brewing as could be, or the tech behind the agriculture and processing.
I was flying by preferences of taste, texture to some mild degree, and
such. Color doesn't matter, save maybe as an after thought.
Anyway... just thought I'd share my journey from a mild consumer on to a...
journeymen gourmet? Or some such. I will... let you know, as
I change up brewing temps and times, and strengths, on various teas in the
near future. Yes... something about tea is special.
I have my coffee down. I'm telling you, if you do coffee? Get a
small grinder (cheap is fine, though look for one that is better at medium to
heavy grinds (medium to larger pieces). Get a stainless or glass and
stainless french press. I use boiling water. I add whole raw
cream. And I live like few kings, as to having good, healthy,
coffee. But tea? Tea is... has... eluded me, to a degree.
I was sure I could have better cups, now I am thinking I am on the way.
Once I get the process down, per tea, and know my teas? Life becomes
much easier this way. Enjoy. I'm... that type of girl.
Tea, like most things in life are to personal taste. Wine, Women, song, vehicles and pets, we all have our preferences. I'm on and off about Tea.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm on...can't keep enough on hand (sample boxes with many "flavors") When I'm off, like now, Oolong 4-5 days ago, body not craving whatever it does from tea, or coffee. Simple to make, just not into the stuff all the time. My favs are Black (English/Irish breakfast, Earl Grey) I do appreciate a strong green tea. Weaker more delicate with food, STRONG alone.
Yes. And, you can either go deep, or just find something you like. I used to like liptons bags. Not sure about today, but that was really good, if only a few summer tea's a summer? Or so. I didn't drink hot tea back then.
ReplyDeleteHmm, you know? Now that I have started on true teas? I may see which teas are supposed to produce the best cold cup. I really liked cold tea, and these days might even enjoy it occasionally in the winter.
Coffee, tea, carbonated water, flat water? Or any particular food. It's... all... subjective. So, base it on what you functionally get from it, and by want after that?
White, green, and oolong are my favorites. I'll bet oolong would make the best cold tea. Or a lightly by time brewed, stronger by tea leaf volume, green tea? No... I'll bet white would be better, but similarly strong if brewed more quickly, less time.
I do love playing with tea, though, when in the mood. Tried mixing them, didn't think that worked well.
Oh, I still like earl grey, but decided the darker/heavier teas weren't coffee, and coffee was, so went elsewhere. Once I learned to enjoy coffee, by adding cream. I just never could do black coffee, and diabetes ended sweeteners (and most "creamers").
Stomach growling (rare, as when my stomach is empty I usually get nauseous). Wandered into the Kitchen a couple times, pulled a "freezer burnt" chunk o' steak out to thaw and see what can be salvaged. Browsed through my tea selection, nothing appealing. Carbonated water and grape juice for now, I'm working on a "menu" in my mind...
ReplyDeleteThe diet and roaming practices of the silverback great ape? Not... laughing at, with. Mostly. For myself? Coffee. I have had way too much chicken, but it's what I have. Out of butter, so veggies are sidelined. Bleh.
ReplyDeleteOh, I have been drinking a lot of carbonated water. Just a touch of coffee, or tea, elsewise. Mostly coffee lately. Though tea is... coming back into range.
I just need to find my temp controlled water heater. I need to try it below boiling. Ugh. Or... just... do as I have been doing, which is okay. I'd just really like to try it at a more exact time, temp, and vary the water to tea ratios a bit.
I resemble that Silverback" remark (only I'm not primarily a vegetarian like Mountain Gorillas)
ReplyDeleteRoasted chicken would do nicely... not set up for it now.
Can of tuna and green beans might be on tap.
"Someone" brought a loaf of Sourdough and butter... m.u.s.t...r.e.s.i.s.t. with some garlic powder and shredded cheese...r.e.s.i.s.t.i.n.g...h.a.r.d.e.r.
Is it purposeful torture? Is "she" doing this to me? or am I torturing myself?
No, no-one can "make" me feel anything... I do this to myself.
Grruummmble. I'm not going back out there without a plan.
Meh. Silverbacks get a steak on Thursdays and Saturdays, when the missesses and children are out shopping. Trust me. :p
ReplyDeleteYes. Bread. And other such. It isn't about feelings. It is about familiarity, even emotional comforts. You don't make yourself feel that way. If it wasn't a choice, there wouldn't be addiction.
As to walking by without saying hi? Do you have... something lessor, that you also like? Offer that as a trade, but only in time. I used to keep unsweetened fruits around. So if I got desperate for chocolate (milk chocolate, over peanuts or else!), I would have some fruit.
I had checked both blood sugar spikes, and the tradeoff was legit, or enough. Glad I don't have any bread though. Just saying.
As to women doing that? Yes and no. Passive aggressive little finks. Forgetful, when hungry themselves. And, sometimes... rather aggressive too. Never can tell. Anyone who has stretched their thighs around a human head... probably ain't all there anymore, though, too. :p
"Give us this day our daily bread"... ingrained into us it is... heck, even in-GRAIN-ed. Though they say the drinking of grain "products" fostered civilization, and people coming together.
ReplyDeleteInteresting catches. For the bad actors in religion, and I am wondering just how close to the majority, or how far over the majority, that really is, would very much use such as said. Hindus have been completely kept subservient through diet. And, monks often eat vegetarian meals (if in part for control of males, as well as the cheaper feed option).
ReplyDeleteThough, as to grains consumption? I look at it this way. It allowed more people. But, the more people, the worse the food. What is, really, animal feed? That is what grain, and veggies in general, are.
Though, remember? Hypercarnivores (like big cats, wolves, and Neanderthals)? Only ate 70% of their diets as meat, which isn't the 100% some (including me) run with (when I am behaving). Though... refrigeration, domestication, and grain growing... has allowed that. Crazy how... the world spins when looked at it from every axis and angle.
As a carnivore, I can surpass hypercarnivores, of a more natural sort, only because of other hypercarnivores becoming slaves (or the tech to fill those roles) as farmers, and many of other possible carnivores surrendering better foods to be more omnivores, or even herbivores. Actually... I should encourage more vegans. :p More for me!