T-Bird tea machine

I've never been, but the whole concept seems to be a solution to a non-existent problem. This quote also causes me some scepticism:

?We?re using large tea leaves which we would normally recommend brewing for four to five minutes, but Tea-Bird does it in 90 seconds. Because the temperature of the water is SO HIGH and because we?re agitating the leaves, it brings the brewing time right down.? caps added by me.

I think really high heat is a killer for almost any tea, including blacks, and it really doesn't seem to be a good selling feature.

Cameron

I'd wonder about it just because it sounds like they're using one temperature of water..boiling...for everything including greens. However I like the idea of tea places that aren't all frilly and dainty and such...I never feel completely comfortable in places like that. It would be nice to have places to just lounge if one wanted to. Starbucks is a pretty cookie-cutter outfit, it is true, but at least you can relax there and just read a book or whatever. I also wonder what's wrong with just a teapot instead of a new contraption like that machine they have. I'd have to taste the tea made from it though to really make up my mind definitively. If it really is better, then viva la innovation!

Melinda

Hi all,

I read through some of it. The 90 second steep at boiling -- that should pretty much ruin *any* green, white, or yellow tea around -- is clearly a corporate decision. After all, can't move those teas over the counter fast enough to rake in that money; can't make those pounds wait five whole minutes. Undoubtedly they will be a chain, as the site says. Quality no, quantity yes. Time is money. Let's hear it for corporate profits. Hype. Pass this one by folks.

Michael Listening to Aka Pigmy music Drinking Special Select Silver Tip Pu-erh from Tea Gallery, NYC

snipped-for-privacy@posting.google.com7/20/04

But they offer nothing less than instant enlightenment: "The tea menu features...power teas, 'new styles of tea which allow for tea moments to calm or excite'..."

In a welcoming, amusement-park environment: "The fun theme of the shops is continued in the retails shelves’ stock of wacky novelty teapots, fun infusers, and other bits and pieces of tea equipage including Ch’a mugs with logo, insulated travel mugs, and fun glasses."

And we'll have fun fun fun now that daddy took the T-Bird away...

--crymad