Take 2... take 1 lost in a Computer PSU failure

Prof Wonmug wrote:
> I would be interested in any opinions on the most effective ways, or
> at least the tradeoffs of various ways, to test new teas.
>
> I have two main questions:
>
> 1. What's the best way to vary the parameters?
>
> 2. Is it better to test multiple pots of the same tea or intersperse
> the tests with pots of other teas?
>
>
>
> Question 1: How to vary the parameters?
>
> Dominic has suggested starting out with about 1 tsp/cup and brewing
> for 15 seconds. Then increase the steep time by 15 second increments
> until the sweet spot is found. I have tested that approach and found
> it useful.
>
> I presume that testing would then continue at a different strength
> depending on the results of the above. If too weak, increase to 1.5
> tsp/cup.
>
> I weigh everything, at least in the beginning, so usually start with
> 1.0 g/cup and go from there.
>
> Does anyone have any comments on this general approach or suggestions
> for another way to test?

What is your goal for the test: getting to know the tea better or
quickly finding good parameters for brewing the tea? What I generally do
with a "new" tea is to start with some standard brewing parameters and
then going to the extremes pretty radically: double and half the brewing
time (and then double/half again) Brew colder/hotter in 10 C (20 F) steps...
These tests teach you about the character of your tea and will tell you
how "flaws" in your brewing methods show up in the taste of the tea.

If you are searching for an optimum, you should make a matrix and test
several combinations of Leave/Water ratio, temperature and steep
duration; but that could lead to a lot of tests: 3 different weights, 3
different temperatures and 4 different steep times gives 3*3*4=36 tests.
(Keep notes of your tests!)

> Question 2: Multiple tests of one tea or interspersed?
>
> Next question is whether to test several pots of the same tea back to
> back or intersperse them with other teas.
>
> My approach has been to test just one pot of each tea, then go to a
> different tea. My thinking was that this is a fairer test because it
> is more like a randomized experiment.
>
> Testing several pots of the same tea back to back does provide a
> better direct comparison, but I worry that my palate gets affected by
> the previous pots.

If you make smaller pots (mug-size), you can do more experiments (and
drink the resulting tea) in a day... Yes, the previous tests influence
what you taste and it is hard to properly evaluate a weak cup if you've
had a much stronger cup before it. Going from weak to strong should not
be a problem.