"Alex Krupp" > wrote in message
news:2004030521465216807%alex3917@hotmailcom...
> Firstly, when brewing loose tea in a mesh infuser, when I pull the
> infuser basket out of the pot should I let it drip into the pot for a
> couple seconds or should I immediately slide a saucer or mug under it
> to prevent this? I know that the water that drains out of the infuser
> basket when you pull it out is most likely full of tannic acid and
> sediments, but I'm not sure what the accepted practice is.

I let it drip into the pot, but then who cares what I do.8^)

> Secondly, is there any guide or FAQ on how to develop ones palate for
> fine teas? I have heard that keemun is a good tea to start with, but I
> haven't been able to really appreciate the keemun hao-ya (#503) that I
> bought off specialteas. Any suggestions? I too want to be one of the
> elite who can tell whether a cuppa is more reminiscent of wooden
> steamships or English countryside weather
>
> Alex
>

I'm only about a year or so into the tea journey, and when I began I was
told my taste would change. Not only has what I like changed, but how teas
taste to me has changed. When I had my first Keemun Hao-Ya and other
Chinese black teas, I didn't get it. They were kind of woody and funny
tasting to me. I preferred the Indian and Ceylon teas. They tasted more
like what I was used to. I just kept trying a variety of teas, samples from
Upton and Special teas and teas from local tea shops and Asian markets. Now
I love Keemuns, Yunnans and other Chinese black teas, and prefer them to
Indian blacks. That's just one example.

I'm no expert, but I'd recommend that you just keep drinking tea often and
try a variety of kinds. At various points you may want to revisit some that
didn't do much for you to see if your tastes have changed. And don't feel
bad, I often don't taste the hints of this or that flavor that other's note
in their descriptions of tea. But I do know what I like and enjoy the hell
out of it.

I'm sure there is a way to train yourself to "taste" tea, just like for wine
tasting.

Blues

PS. What does English countryside weather taste like anyway?