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Prof Wonmug

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Nov 5, 2009, 4:51:55 PM11/5/09
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As I continue testing various teas and brewing parameters, I have
noticed that some teas get better after a few cups and some get worse.
These are all from the same pot and usually consumed within a few
hours from a glass-lined thermos.

Can I conclude anything about the tea itself or the way I brewed it
from this information?

Lewis Perin

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Nov 5, 2009, 5:40:19 PM11/5/09
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Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:

Uh, maybe. Care to tell us your results?

/Lew
---
Lew Perin / pe...@acm.org
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

Dominic T.

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Nov 5, 2009, 7:28:32 PM11/5/09
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I'm with Lew, you gotta give up something to get something. :)

I have heard a phrase from a tea drinking friend I highly regard that
roughly translates to "the leaves can smell bad after brewing as long
as the tea tastes great" and it is in reference to skilled brewing.
Extracting only the good qualities and flavors from the leaf and
leaving behind the "bad".

- Dominic

Space Cowboy

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Nov 6, 2009, 8:13:54 AM11/6/09
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As a general rule the gongfu method is the only claim made by some
where subsequent cups are better. Im of the Engllish school where the
first cup is the best. Anything else is leftovers but I wouldnt say
better. Drinking from the same pot spread out over hours depends more
on biorythms than tastebuds. So name the tea and how you brewed it
that makes you think it tastes better.

Jim

Prof Wonmug

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Nov 6, 2009, 11:00:38 AM11/6/09
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On 05 Nov 2009 17:40:19 -0500, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:

>Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:
>
>> As I continue testing various teas and brewing parameters, I have
>> noticed that some teas get better after a few cups and some get worse.
>> These are all from the same pot and usually consumed within a few
>> hours from a glass-lined thermos.
>>
>> Can I conclude anything about the tea itself or the way I brewed it
>> from this information?
>
>Uh, maybe. Care to tell us your results?

I was hoping to get comments and opinions that were not influenced by
my "findings". A good researcher never contaminates the data
collection process by interjecting his own biases.

I would, of course, disclose any "results" for the benefit of those
who find such endeavors useful and as target practice for others. ;-)

Lewis Perin

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Nov 6, 2009, 12:18:37 PM11/6/09
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Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:

> On 05 Nov 2009 17:40:19 -0500, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:
>
> >Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:
> >
> >> As I continue testing various teas and brewing parameters, I have
> >> noticed that some teas get better after a few cups and some get worse.
> >> These are all from the same pot and usually consumed within a few
> >> hours from a glass-lined thermos.
> >>
> >> Can I conclude anything about the tea itself or the way I brewed it
> >> from this information?
> >
> >Uh, maybe. Care to tell us your results?
>
> I was hoping to get comments and opinions that were not influenced by
> my "findings". A good researcher never contaminates the data
> collection process by interjecting his own biases.

I asked for results, not biases.

Prof Wonmug

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Nov 6, 2009, 1:47:38 PM11/6/09
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On 06 Nov 2009 12:18:37 -0500, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:

>Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:
>
>> On 05 Nov 2009 17:40:19 -0500, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:
>>
>> >Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:
>> >
>> >> As I continue testing various teas and brewing parameters, I have
>> >> noticed that some teas get better after a few cups and some get worse.
>> >> These are all from the same pot and usually consumed within a few
>> >> hours from a glass-lined thermos.
>> >>
>> >> Can I conclude anything about the tea itself or the way I brewed it
>> >> from this information?
>> >
>> >Uh, maybe. Care to tell us your results?
>>
>> I was hoping to get comments and opinions that were not influenced by
>> my "findings". A good researcher never contaminates the data
>> collection process by interjecting his own biases.
>
>I asked for results, not biases.

Isn't it the general opinion around here that tea is a completely
subjective experience? If so, my "results" would be subjective and
inherently biased. No?

Lewis Perin

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Nov 6, 2009, 2:52:03 PM11/6/09
to
Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:

> On 06 Nov 2009 12:18:37 -0500, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:
>
> >Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:
> >
> >> On 05 Nov 2009 17:40:19 -0500, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >Prof Wonmug <won...@e.mcc> writes:
> >> >
> >> >> As I continue testing various teas and brewing parameters, I have
> >> >> noticed that some teas get better after a few cups and some get worse.
> >> >> These are all from the same pot and usually consumed within a few
> >> >> hours from a glass-lined thermos.
> >> >>
> >> >> Can I conclude anything about the tea itself or the way I brewed it
> >> >> from this information?
> >> >
> >> >Uh, maybe. Care to tell us your results?
> >>
> >> I was hoping to get comments and opinions that were not influenced by
> >> my "findings". A good researcher never contaminates the data
> >> collection process by interjecting his own biases.
> >
> >I asked for results, not biases.
>
> Isn't it the general opinion around here that tea is a completely
> subjective experience?

Completely? No.

> If so, my "results" would be subjective and inherently biased. No?

This reminds me of dorm room conversations from long ago. I seem to
remember that they bored me then, but I could be wrong about that:
subjectivity, you know...

Dominic T.

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Nov 6, 2009, 3:36:43 PM11/6/09
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I'm just glad that all the exasperation I've suffered wasn't isolated
to me. Is disagree-ability just fun for some folks? We're a group of
people who like tea, a lot, to the point that we've all got some sort
of disorder about it... how that can turn into anything but maybe a
spirited/passionate debate at times is beyond me. It's just freakin
tea. And most of us here just practice a sort of mental masturbation
because we already know our own likes/dislikes and those of everyone
else here for the most part. I enjoy helping others along when they
hit a confusing or confounding spot, and occasionally I glean a tip or
two or a new thought or type of tea which is the ever-so-slight
reward. How it becomes so hard at times could be a study of its own.
Why I continue to do it to myself is another topic for study.

- Dominic

Space Cowboy

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Nov 6, 2009, 6:32:07 PM11/6/09
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Ive been ready to throw in the towel many times myself.

Jim

On Nov 6, 1:36 pm, "Dominic T." <dominictibe...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Nov 6, 2:52 pm, Lewis Perin <pe...@panix.com> wrote:

...You can lead a horse to water ...

george tasman

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Nov 6, 2009, 8:58:08 PM11/6/09
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This "woe is me" and Space Cowboy's follow-on about throwing in the
towel are amusing. About two thirds of the group traffic is you two
plus short bits that are mostly questions from Lew P . DIscussion
volume is a fraction of what it used to be according to the inf about
the group. The friend who put me on to it was one Space Cowboy
savaged, so she dropped off it, and she showed me a few old
"discussions" where your own petulant vanity and and his nastiness are
everywhere.You drove out a lot of people. I haven't seen more than
hints of that, maybe because there is no one left for you to go after.
If you two drop out, then maybe a real group can form and the Mike
Petros and other apparently expert and nice folk she showed me about
will come back. You can still talk to each other about IT stuff and he
can send photos of tea leaves and you can tell him about your meeting
with Starbucks executives (which seems implausible) and write all
those long screeds which have "I" in them every sentence. Space C
hasn't provided a useful or interesting input in the month I've been
logging on. He's a dogmatic blowhard.

I'm getting off the group. It's not the forum I hoped for and so much
want to see. It used to have 400-800 messages a month. Now it's
100-200 most months and take out the porn and spam the discussion is
even smaller.

Dominic T.

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Nov 6, 2009, 9:16:42 PM11/6/09
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Well, consider it done. If I am the problem here, I don't want to
continue it. I have tried to do my best to help folks. It is a shell
of what it once was, I don't personally believe it was my doing, but
regardless of the true reason I'd love to see if it just dies off
completely or flourishes once I walk away.

Peace,
- Dominic

Prof Wonmug

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Nov 6, 2009, 9:41:09 PM11/6/09
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I don't think you should leave -- even if you are correct about why
others have left. If you have something of value, stay and raise the
average.

Space Cowboy is a loose cannon with a signal/noise ratio close to
zero. Dominic, on the other hand, is pedantic and officious, but he
really seems to know a lot about tea. I'd hate to see him leave.

Dominic T.

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Nov 6, 2009, 10:52:01 PM11/6/09
to

I don't want you to think my decision is based just on our exchanges,
it's not. In fact, I hope you do find enjoyment through the list I had
created and the less than scientific brewing advice. I still hope to
hear the results. It's not because of George either, I've had many
people personally thank me and come away very happy from exchanges,
and that means a lot to me. I'm sure I've ruffled some feathers too,
that happens. I've learned a lot from others and thank them all.
Either way, things have been on a steady decline here for a long time.
I don't think blame needs to be placed, but if it does then that's
fine.

I know a lot of folks use teachat, I don't like the fact that it is
associated with Adagio and the impermanent nature, but if things don't
snap back to the heady days of yore due to my leaving, you may find
continued discussion and help there. I'll still post my own journey on
my blog, and I'm always happy to help or answer any questions I can
directly via email or through the blog to anyone.

- Dominic

toci

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Nov 7, 2009, 8:28:51 AM11/7/09
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> - Dominic- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Dominic- I've always enjoyed your comments even if I haven't had a
response. You're on task and I fail to see how your entries are
controversial. Please don't go away. Toci

toci

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Nov 7, 2009, 8:30:17 AM11/7/09
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> > - Dominic- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

One can come less often without throwing in the towel. What you say
is relevant. Toci

toci

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Nov 7, 2009, 8:33:27 AM11/7/09
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> even smaller.- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

So you're a seagull who flies over, scatters feces around, and goes?
Goodbye. Toci

Space Cowboy

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Nov 7, 2009, 9:33:36 AM11/7/09
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Ignore the posting style attack of your too many Is, Lews snippets, or
my sometimes acrid posts. Its on par with spelling and grammar
flaming. It is nothing more than Kill The Messenger. They win if you
go away.

Jim

PS I was off this group for six months when my computer crashed.
Nobody even mentioned I was gone. So much for my influence.

Scott Dorsey

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Nov 7, 2009, 9:51:05 AM11/7/09
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Well, off the record, I tend to brew in a one-cup brewing basket, and I agree
that, using this method, some teas improve with repeated steeps and some do
not.

It doesn't seem to have any pattern. The Rohini Enigma seems to be better on
the second steep than the first, and a lot of the better greens seem to be
that way too. No clue why.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Will Yardley

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Nov 7, 2009, 6:18:43 PM11/7/09
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On 2009-11-07, george tasman <gtbo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Space C hasn't provided a useful or interesting input in the month
> I've been logging on. He's a dogmatic blowhard.

So killfile the folks who you find annoying. You will find that group is
considerably less annoying that way.

But I agree that there hasn't been much in the way of interesting or
useful discussion on this newsgroup for quite a while. Most of the
people who know what they're talking about seem to have moved to
teachat, the Livejournal puerh_tea community, or elsewhere.

--
Multi-lingual forum for Chinese and Japanese tea and teaware:
http://teadrunk.org/

TeaMatt

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Nov 7, 2009, 5:32:01 PM11/7/09
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For what it's worth, I think that it really depends on what type of tea
you're talking about.

With Black tea, I only steep once because subsequent steepings lose so
much of the flavor.

Just the opposite is true with high mountain oolongs, though, which are
rolled into tight balls during processing. During the first steeping,
the leaves don't unfurl completely, and you have to steep the tea a lot
longer to get a full brew... and it ends up tasting a little more
earthy, and sometimes a bit more bitter.

On the second steeping, though, the leaves are unfurled and there's
more surface area in contact with the water, and the resulting brew is
noticeably more fragrant and sweet.

I also find that the first steeping of most green teas is a little bit
more vegetal in flavor, or grassy, depending on the tea, and the second
steeping is a little better... but it just seems to me to get weeker
after that.

Just my two cents :)

- Matthew


--
TeaMatt

TeaMatt

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Nov 7, 2009, 10:11:15 PM11/7/09
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I just took a minute to re-read the original post in this thread, and
realized of course that I had completely read it wrong the first time
through. Disregard my previous response.

Hell of a community here :) Looks like I walked in on the middle of
something...

- Matt


--
TeaMatt

Lewis Perin

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Nov 8, 2009, 10:20:31 AM11/8/09
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Will Yardley <&-@no.spam.veggiechinese.net> writes:

> On 2009-11-07, george tasman <gtbo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Space C hasn't provided a useful or interesting input in the month
> > I've been logging on. He's a dogmatic blowhard.
>
> So killfile the folks who you find annoying. You will find that group is
> considerably less annoying that way.
>
> But I agree that there hasn't been much in the way of interesting or
> useful discussion on this newsgroup for quite a while. Most of the
> people who know what they're talking about seem to have moved to
> teachat, the Livejournal puerh_tea community, or elsewhere.

The LJ Pu'er community's been torpid lately. This happens a lot with
Net communities, and not only those concerned with tea, of course.
It's a little like slash-and-burn agriculture; one difference is that
the namespace of Net communities, unlike land, is a limitless
resource, so people feel no need to return after a few years. Another
difference, especially with RSS, is that you don't have to choose one
plot to till.

If I were a sociology grad student, I might try to study how people
migrate in cyberspace.

Space Cowboy

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Nov 9, 2009, 9:31:28 AM11/9/09
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We are part of Usenet with a Charter and have been around since 1995.
Basically we are on the honor system since we are not moderated. If
you want to learn about tea then this is the place. If you want to
contribute what you know that is very much welcomed. I think the real
knock about the group is we could use some new blood. I am aware
there are new perspectives about tea that seem to go beyond the
traditional cuppa. Im almost willing to cave in to the scented teas
and over the top brewing methods. If people want to drink tea because
it is medicated or spiritual that is fine with me. You brew enough
cups simplicity becomes spiritual and it didnt cost you anything extra
if you live a day longer. Maybe the basics are passe. Some think it
is better somewhere else talking about tea. It isnt. So welcome.
Every two cents counts in this economy.

Jim

On Nov 7, 8:11 pm, TeaMatt <TeaMatt.53c3e48.462...@foodbanter.com>
wrote:
...any response to a tea post is better than nothing...

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