MJ's little flock

[Shadrach]

He tears the meat up much faster than she does and he's utterly rigorous about the chicks

Of course he is, one task at a time. None of that multitasking stuff.

 

[RoyalChick]

They're all black teas. I prefer to drink them with milk and without sugar. Others may prefer it the other way around or with nothing added at all.

The important thing with tea is to brew it strong (but don't stew it), taste, then dilute the flavour with a splash of boiling water and re-taste. If it's still too strong, continue diluting in small increments until you find it palatable.

If you take milk, then diluting with milk is more effective
My mother could taste if you used water that was not at the point of boiling or had been previously boiled. So using fresh boiling water has always been an essential part of my tea ritual.

 

[MaryJanet]

If you take milk, then diluting with milk is more effective
My mother could taste if you used water that was not at the point of boiling or had been previously boiled. So using fresh boiling water has always been an essential part of my tea ritual.

Yes, boiling water de-oxygenates it which means some of the finer notes in the tea can't release.

So "fresh water, coming up to boil" was what my nana used to say. Catch it before the kettle whistles or turns itself off.

 

[RoyalChick]

Yes, boiling water de-oxygenates it which means some of the finer notes in the tea can't release.

So "fresh water, coming up to boil" was what my nana used to say. Catch it before the kettle whistles or turns itself off.

Exactly!

 

[MaryJanet]

Exactly!

Have we covered all the main points RC?

I was thinking when it's my turn to taste I'll brew leaves in similar pots (all ceramic) but I've never heard of the pot having much influence on flavour.

Oh! To avoid stewing black teas, make sure the water is really close to full boil. If the temperature of the water is too low, it'll stew. Also if you leave it steeping for too long, it'll stew.

So, use water close to full boiling, and by 3-5 minutes most teas will have developed all the flavour. Then you can pour a little into the cup for a colour and taste test to see if it needs to be diluted or if it needs more time steeping.

Too tanniny? Too sharp, bitter, and dry in the mouth? Try adding milk or water to bring it back to life but it might not be redeemable.

Some people like to gently agitate the pot either by stirring with a teaspoon immediately after pouring the water or by swirling the pot to get the leaves moving around in the water. Bringing each leaf into full contact with the water will help it release flavour.

None of this really matters because it's tea drinking and the core purpose of drinking tea is pleasure. So don't get caught up in the "rules" just give it a little time and see if it gives you a little joy.

 

[RoyalChick]

Have we covered all the main points RC?

I was thinking when it's my turn to taste I'll brew leaves in similar pots (all ceramic) but I've never heard of the pot having much influence on flavour.

Oh! To avoid stewing black teas, make sure the water is really close to full boil. If the temperature of the water is too low, it'll stew. Also if you leave it steeping for too long, it'll stew.

So, use water close to full boiling, and by 3-5 minutes most teas will have developed all the flavour. Then you can pour a little into the cup for a colour and taste test to see if it needs to be diluted or if it needs more time steeping.

Too tanniny? Too sharp, bitter, and dry in the mouth? Try adding milk or water to bring it back to life but it might not be redeemable.

Some people like to gently agitate the pot either by stirring with a teaspoon immediately after pouring the water or by swirling the pot to get the leaves moving around in the water. Bringing each leaf into full contact with the water will help it release flavour.

None of this really matters because it's tea drinking and the core purpose of drinking tea is pleasure. So don't get caught up in the "rules" just give it a little time and see if it gives you a little joy.

In using the same tea in two different countries and in several different pots in each country, I think the water and the milk make much more of a difference than the pot.
I don't believe in stirring!

 

[MaryJanet]

Of course he is, one task at a time. None of that multitasking stuff.

It seems like he gets to do 1 feed a day while she does 4-5.

When he has prey, he lands on the ledge and announces the meal with a shriek. If she's there, she'll shriek back, accept the prey, and start plucking it (it's usually a starling or an eastern rosella) before feeding the chicks.

If she's not there he waits maybe 5 minutes even if the chicks are crying for food. Only when he's certain she's not around will he start feeding them.

If she turns up mid-feed, he hands over to her.

 

[MaryJanet]

In using the same tea in two different countries and in several different pots in each country, I think the water and the milk make much more of a difference than the pot.
I don't believe in stirring!

It's not that I don't believe in it, more like I can't be bothered I'm sure it makes only a very small difference to flavour so a professional taster might do it, but my palate is not so finely attuned!

On the other hand, I have a good friend who swirls the pot every time.

 

[RoyalChick]

I can't remember whether it was here or on @ManueB's thread but I found the webcam app I was using.
Here is a link to the web version, but the app works well on my phone. During Covid shut down I would watch bald eagles, grizzly bears and zebra.
https://explore.org/livecams

I also found this which is more of an index and seems a bit UK focused: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/livestreams-wildlife

 

[MaryJanet]

I can't remember whether it was here or on @ManueB's thread but I found the webcam app I was using.
Here is a link to the web version, but the app works well on my phone. During Covid shut down I would watch bald eagles, grizzly bears and zebra.
https://explore.org/livecams

I also found this which is more of an index and seems a bit UK focused: https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/livestreams-wildlife

Thanks! Can't wait to try them out!