The leaves are crisp and rolled before they go into the pot. They're a soft green, cuddled in fine white fibres. But it's not nearly as much as the Silver Needle I had a few days ago.
The water is heated. I've decided on at least two more infusions, depending on the character of the last cup. I forgot to check the time with this one, so it may be a little off. It's currently 7:57pm, and already was immediately after pouring the water into the tea pot. In the time I needed to click to bring the seconds reading, time had advanced to 7:57:20. I'd guess maybe ten or fifteen seconds had passed. Eight on the dot, I'll say. Maybe I'll wait just a few seconds. Then I'll test this tea again.
The third infusion is poured. Its color is slightly less than the previous two. But the aroma is promising, though a touch darker than the previous cups. Two sips. The strength has not diminished much more, surprisingly. It's a touch more bitter, but not significantly more than the second infusion. The color? Light yellow, with just a hint of green. Photographs? Pictures are unnecessary here. During the pour, the tea takes a trip from the spout of the tea pot and the cup, cascading backlit by my computer's monitor. the site in the browser is white. The tea, by all accunts, on all pours, has appeared transparent. In the cup, a soft yellow appears. Lighter each time, until at the third it is nearly transparent as still water.
The fourth and final infusion. While pouring the water, I noticed some of the leaves have completely unfurled. Some are still curled, but they seem softened by the warm water. The water had cooled more than I expected. Color? Lighter still. Aroma? Almost nonexistant. This tea has now fully served its purpose. The overall flavor of the fourth cup is lighter, though somehow the bitterness is dominant. But it's so diluted that it makes little difference. I still find it pleasant.
The leaves, post use:
Some are stull curled, but most have fully unfurled. It's good to see so much nature in the pot!
It's a very relaxing tea. Sure, white teas have less caffeine than darker teas, but I wonder how much that has to do with anything. Before recently, everything I drank in life (save a nice glass of Scotch or snifter of Brandy) has been in haste and unappreciated for more than its surface qualities. Tea is a new appreciation for me. I have much to learn, and much more to love.
So I don't know much of the nuances of tea. I cannot yet explain, cannot describe, what I'm experiencing. I am, after all, a novice to tea.
Tea: Song Yang from Adagio 3 grams
Water: Bottles spring water, just to a boil then cooled.
Infusion times: 3, 4, 4+, 4+ minutes respectively.
This is the pot I used. It's a simple ceramic tea pot, imported from Japan. It was more of a for-run purchase, until i started with tea. It's a good all purpose pot.
OK, so this is my first and opening post here. Why tea novice? I'm very new to tea. I see a lot of blogs out there made for experienced tea drinkers. I thgout someone should show perspective from the beginning. So, in stead of waiting for one, I made one. I have a lot of teas to experience, and I'll post about many. Though I've already tried some, it was more experimental. I'm learning a lot about brewing right now. In fact, I have some tips:
1.) Pay very close attention to brewing time. Brewing too long the first time can ruin later infusions. Not steeping long enough later on will result in too weak a tea, and discarding still good leaves.
2.) Water temperature is very important. Though I don't use a thermometer, I don't use just-off-the-burner boiled water for teas that should use cooler water. In fact, many teas need to be steeped in water cooled enough to drink. Of course, every tea has its own requirements.
3.) Experiment! This is very important. Try many kinds of tea. See what kinds you like. See which ways of brewing each renders the best results.
4.) Slow down a bit. This isn't about throwing some foliage and water in a bowl, and spending the "waiting" time doing things that will make you forget the tea. Use a timer, or keep an eye on a clock with a seconds indicator. You'll want to be used to this if you ever delve into the world of gong fu brewing.
5.) Relax. Tea isn't something to get worked up over. In fact, tea's casual ritual (for lack of a better word) is about relaxation. Clear your mind of the day's worries. It's not about meditaion or forgetting. It's about a change of pace, setting aside the rest for later, even if later is at the end of your tea break.
6.) Find your brewing style. Don't feel obligated to brew western style, gong fu, or any particular way at all. Find what fits you best. And don't feel intimidated if you get the impression that tea is for women to make or enjoy, or whatever. IT's not. Tea is for everyone. I promise. And you'll find plenty of equipment out there without flowers and all that on it. I promise.
7.) Enjoy the tea. Find what you like. Experiment as you wish. As someone recently said, "At the best you'll have a great cup of tea. In the worst, you'll have tea-flavored water." Or somethign like that.
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