Hi,

I am a green tea lover, and thought I knew a little about it until I
read your posts. I've been drinking it almost daily, especially jasmine
tea, for several years (5, 6?) but have recently eliminated simple
carbs from my diet (sugar, white flour, white rice, etc.) so my daily
tea has become even more of a pleasure. I drink one 24-ounce pot. I can
see some of you would cringe if you saw me prepare it: eyeballing the
quantity, and pouring the water when it "sounds right." But I'm always
very happy with the result, so...

I'm looking forward to doing some searches here for answers to some of
my long-held questions: how much does the caffiene content vary among
types and brands; what are the other caffeine-like substances I've
heard about; what's the recent research on green tea benefits, and so
on.

Happy to be here!
Kristen

Hey Kristen,

If anything it sounds like you have it perfectly! Eyeballing the amount
and going by sound/"feel" of the water is exactly how it should be
done. There never will be a thermometer or scale involved in my tea
making. (although I must admit I've used one twice but to check how
close my "feel" for a particular temp really was before brewing a
seriously expensive tea.)

I'm a jasmine green fan as well, and it is still a comfort tea for me
even after all these years and teas. I do find a lot of enjoyment from
dragon pearls/tears which are little rolled balls with two leaves and a
bud and a jasmine petal. Worth a shot as the quality is top notch.

You're doing just fine, stick with it and your feel will get even
better with time. I generally now get within 5 degrees of the water
temp I want by time and feel alone, which is close enough in anyones
book. There is a ton of info in these archives, and while I primarily
enjoy Japanese greens I have started to get more into chinese greens.
Congrats.

Dominic

Kristen wrote:
Hi,

I am a green tea lover, and thought I knew a little about it until I
read your posts. I've been drinking it almost daily, especially jasmine
tea, for several years (5, 6?) but have recently eliminated simple
carbs from my diet (sugar, white flour, white rice, etc.) so my daily
tea has become even more of a pleasure. I drink one 24-ounce pot. I can
see some of you would cringe if you saw me prepare it: eyeballing the
quantity, and pouring the water when it "sounds right." But I'm always
very happy with the result, so...

I'm looking forward to doing some searches here for answers to some of
my long-held questions: how much does the caffiene content vary among
types and brands; what are the other caffeine-like substances I've
heard about; what's the recent research on green tea benefits, and so
on.

Happy to be here!
Kristen

Kristen wrote:

I'm looking forward to doing some searches here for answers to some of
my long-held questions: how much does the caffiene content vary among
types and brands;

Outrageously. It can vary a lot from year to year with the same tea,
even. Most of it comes out in the first steep too, since it's very soluble.

what are the other caffeine-like substances I've
heard about;

There are all kinds of xanthines in tea that have similar effects to
caffeine, most notably theophylline. They are all more or less in the
same chemical family with caffeine and most folks just wave their hands
and call all of them together "caffeine" even though technically they
are not.

what's the recent research on green tea benefits, and so
on.

I have no idea. If it tastes good in your mouth and makes you feel good,
what more benefit do you need?
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I can
see some of you would cringe if you saw me prepare it: eyeballing the
quantity, and pouring the water when it "sounds right." But I'm always
very happy with the result, so...

I have to agree with Dominc, the way you are brewing is perfect "for
you". Since I am an engineer I am a bit meticulous about understanding
variables. So I did *start* out using thermometers and scales etc, but
that was only until I got a *feel* for what it took to make tea the way
I like it, and how to repeatably brew tea the way I like it. Once I
developed that *feel* I stopped using the instrumentation. Now,
admittedly, I do still use the toys on occasion when I am trying to
tackle a new tea genre, but eventually I get back to the touchy feely
method.


I'm looking forward to doing some searches here for answers to some of
my long-held questions: how much does the caffiene content vary among
types and brands; what are the other caffeine-like substances I've
heard about; what's the recent research on green tea benefits, and so
on.

Here is an iteresting link on caffeine in tea:
http://users.argolink.net/purfarms/komchem/teacaff.HTM

And in other beverages/products:
http://www.holymtn.com/tea/caffeine_content.htm

Mike
http://www.pu-erh.net

If you are always happy with the result - you are way ahead of most of us
here )))))))))))
My advice - buy a simple gongfu set and try more wulongs, both cheap an not
so cheap. The more you try the more your skills will develop and the more
your skills develop the more you will want to try.

Sasha.


"Kristen" wrote in message
ups.com...
Hi,

I am a green tea lover, and thought I knew a little about it until I
read your posts. I've been drinking it almost daily, especially jasmine
tea, for several years (5, 6?) but have recently eliminated simple
carbs from my diet (sugar, white flour, white rice, etc.) so my daily
tea has become even more of a pleasure. I drink one 24-ounce pot. I can
see some of you would cringe if you saw me prepare it: eyeballing the
quantity, and pouring the water when it "sounds right." But I'm always
very happy with the result, so...

I'm looking forward to doing some searches here for answers to some of
my long-held questions: how much does the caffiene content vary among
types and brands; what are the other caffeine-like substances I've
heard about; what's the recent research on green tea benefits, and so
on.

Happy to be here!
Kristen

I have to admit, this is sort of exciting. I belong to several Yahoo
Groups, and had done a green tea search there a few times over the last
couple of years. There's not much activity. And now here you all are on
Google! It's kind of like walking into a room and discovering everyone
is listening to your favorite music or talking about your favorite
book. I know people who are passionate about coffee and/or beer
brewing, but not tea, and certainly not the lovely green stuff.

I think you're right Dominic. I feel wise when I just "know" the water
is ready. I'll stick with the way I do it.

Jasmine is my tea of choice, but I drink others as well. A Teavana
store opened near me recently, and I bought some gyokuro there. I'm
sure it was over-priced, but it sure is yummy. I have already checked
out some of the vendors I've seen mentioned here, and am very excited
to try some new things. I also love Republic of Tea's Spring Cherry
green tea. I imagine most of you skip flavored teas, but I really enjoy
it. I have a thing for cherry blossoms and japanese culture, too. Can't
really explain it, since I'm not Asian.

I'm surprised to see so many men here; I guess in a tea group I
expected to find a bunch of southern housewives who wear hats and eat
cucumber sandwiches. I guess they're drinking Lipton. And they're
probably not measuring and taking water temperature readings . C'mon,
admit it...some of you probably keep charts, too? I would.

Best,
Kristen

"Kristen" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have to admit, this is sort of exciting. I belong to several Yahoo
Groups, and had done a green tea search there a few times over the last
couple of years. There's not much activity. And now here you all are on
Google! It's kind of like walking into a room and discovering everyone
is listening to your favorite music or talking about your favorite
book. I know people who are passionate about coffee and/or beer
brewing, but not tea, and certainly not the lovely green stuff.

LOL! Surprise!

I think you're right Dominic. I feel wise when I just "know" the water
is ready. I'll stick with the way I do it.

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

I'm surprised to see so many men here; I guess in a tea group I
expected to find a bunch of southern housewives who wear hats and eat
cucumber sandwiches. I guess they're drinking Lipton.

I'd think if they're serious, they're brewing with loose leaves and using
those little silver strainers with little silver tongs for sugar lumps. "One
lump or two, dear?"

And they're
probably not measuring and taking water temperature readings . C'mon,
admit it...some of you probably keep charts, too? I would.

Yes, there are so many teas, there's no way I can possibly remember them
all. I keep a tea journal to record tea, vendor, price, brew tests (amount
of tea, water temp, time) to attain the optimal taste for me, and other
applicable comments that vary from "Yuck!" to "Must reorder!" or "Keep as
staple!"

--
~~Bluesea~~
Spam is great in musubi but not in email.
Please take out the trash before sending a direct reply.

Kristen wrote:
I have to admit, this is sort of exciting. I belong to several Yahoo
Groups, and had done a green tea search there a few times over the last
couple of years. There's not much activity. And now here you all are on
Google! It's kind of like walking into a room and discovering everyone
is listening to your favorite music or talking about your favorite
book. I know people who are passionate about coffee and/or beer
brewing, but not tea, and certainly not the lovely green stuff.

Tea coverage here is pretty even keeled, with a strong weighting to
Pu-Erh. I try to toss in some green talk when possible and a few others
do too. The nice thing is that tea is tea, and learning and reading
about so many new and specific teas has really opened up my eyes from
the tunnel vision I had for years. Now, I could care less what tea is
being talked about because it has all become part of my knowledge and
cup. At first I was a bit bummed that green tea (specifically Japanese)
was so seldom touched on, but that has gone away big time. Teas I never
woul dhave even tried outside of coincidence are now some of my most
sought after, like Shui Xian. Black (cooked) Pu-erh has left my radar
but I gave it hell, and uncooked has found a spot in the lineup as a
3rd string... I can appreciate them now though and occasionally crave
on or the other which is way more than if it had not been for this
group.

I think you're right Dominic. I feel wise when I just "know" the water
is ready. I'll stick with the way I do it.

Woo-hoo someone thinks I'm right Your new, give it time Seriously
though, it may seem like your going about it wrong or just shooting in
the dark but honestly that is what its about and how you learn. I've
never seen a little old chinese man with a digital scale and
thermometer and bunsen burners brew me a cup of tea, and I'm sure the
ancients didn't either. Scales or specific sized scoops may have been
used, but I'd imagine that is about it.

Jasmine is my tea of choice, but I drink others as well. A Teavana
store opened near me recently, and I bought some gyokuro there. I'm
sure it was over-priced, but it sure is yummy. I have already checked
out some of the vendors I've seen mentioned here, and am very excited
to try some new things. I also love Republic of Tea's Spring Cherry
green tea. I imagine most of you skip flavored teas, but I really enjoy
it. I have a thing for cherry blossoms and japanese culture, too. Can't
really explain it, since I'm not Asian.

Go for it! I know it may get looked down upon at times, and alot of the
time deservedly so, but flavored teas have a place. I enjoy the crappy
yellow tin Jasmine tea, and higher end jasmine pearls, and even some
different greens processed with jasmine petals. I like lotus root
flavored greens, I enjoy ginger-peach black tea, and a few others.. but
I never expect them to be something I'm going to sit and contemplate or
hunt for subtle nuances. I enjoy them for what they are. I too was
enamored with Japanese culture, and I kind of got away from some of it
because of the fakenes and ceremony and money/class type stuff, but I
still enjoy a lot of the culture, philosophy, and tea. China's past is
just so much older and rich and detailed that it has kind of stolen
some of the thunder for me.

I'm surprised to see so many men here; I guess in a tea group I
expected to find a bunch of southern housewives who wear hats and eat
cucumber sandwiches. I guess they're drinking Lipton. And they're
probably not measuring and taking water temperature readings . C'mon,
admit it...some of you probably keep charts, too? I would.

Best,
Kristen

Yep, I played hockey for 12 years a pretty solid pugilist and I proudly
display and claim the little Yixing teapots in my home as my own.
Tea is one of those things that really has a masculine side that never
is seen in America or portrayed in many ways, it is every bit as equal
if not morese to wine, food, etc. I actually keep em all in my head, I
have a pretty solid memory but it does fail me at times. I've been
kicking around the idea of a notebook, and I may start.

Have fun, welcome, and enjoy!
Dominic

"Kristen" writes:

I have to admit, this is sort of exciting. I belong to several Yahoo
Groups, and had done a green tea search there a few times over the last
couple of years. There's not much activity. And now here you all are on
Google!

No, we're on Usenet. Google is what you and many others use to reach
Usenet. This may seem academic, but if Google ever decides to change
its corporate strategy, it could suddenly become salient to you.

Welcome, anyway!

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

Lewis Perin wrote:
No, we're on Usenet. Google is what you and many others use to reach
Usenet. This may seem academic, but if Google ever decides to change
its corporate strategy, it could suddenly become salient to you.

Welcome, anyway!

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

Way to win a new gal over I bet you say that to all the ladies

But yes, to be exact, this is Usenet and Google Groups is just a nice
easy web-based way to access it.

Dominic

Gee, Lew, aren't you a ladies man!

Sasha.


"Lewis Perin" wrote in message
news
"Kristen" writes:

I have to admit, this is sort of exciting. I belong to several Yahoo
Groups, and had done a green tea search there a few times over the last
couple of years. There's not much activity. And now here you all are on
Google!

No, we're on Usenet. Google is what you and many others use to reach
Usenet. This may seem academic, but if Google ever decides to change
its corporate strategy, it could suddenly become salient to you.

Welcome, anyway!

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

"Alex Chaihorsky" writes:

Gee, Lew, aren't you a ladies man!

Uh, I love my wife.

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

"Dominic T." wrote in message
ups.com...

snip

I like lotus root
flavored greens, I enjoy ginger-peach black tea, and a few others.. but
I never expect them to be something I'm going to sit and contemplate or
hunt for subtle nuances.
snip
Dominic


Lotus root flavored green tea? I thought it was the flowers...I've never
tried a lotus tea though so I have no idea. I've had fresh lotus root but
can't quite fit that taste in with green tea...could you describe this taste
for me Dominic? Interesting...

Melinda

That's too funny; my husband is a Geologist, and I'm in human services,
so I'm quite accustomed to being corrected on matters of the
computer/net. I've actually become quite deficient in that area because
I don't have to pay attention. I'm just glad your comment didn't have
the word "duh" in it .

Kristen

Lewis Perin wrote:
"Alex Chaihorsky" writes:

Gee, Lew, aren't you a ladies man!

Uh, I love my wife.

/Lew
---
Lew Perin /
http://www.panix.com/~perin/babelcarp.html

"Kristen" wrote in message
That's too funny; my husband is a Geologist,

Whoa! What is it the brother did to make you capitalize our profession?

Sasha
(oscillating between exploration Geology and mathematical
genetics/immunology)