tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post8896672152248793061..comments2024-03-20T16:34:04.414-04:00Comments on Alex Zorach's Tea Blog: The Importance of Context - Violinists in the Metro, and Tea PricesAlex Zorachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08335878680429494039noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825055425170299721.post-29205815735118244252011-12-14T01:25:12.324-05:002011-12-14T01:25:12.324-05:00Your cheap tea post caused me to reconsider a poun...Your cheap tea post caused me to reconsider a pound bag of Ahmad Tea's Barooti Assam, purchased for $5, that had been sitting at the back of my cupboard while I brewed pricier Assams instead. I had assumed that after sampling better teas, I would now find the Barooti lacking, but I was wrong. Although it's more astringent and not as smooth compared to my other Assams, it's still fantastic and has become a morning ritual. I have to admit I may have written off this tea largely because it was too cheap.<br /><br />But it also goes the other way, at least for me. My typical Assam costs me $1.50 to $2.25 an ounce, and when I bought Plymouth Tea's Meleng Assam for about $3.25/oz. in a recent purchase, although not a dramatic difference, it seemed like a splurge at the time. I was disappointed in it until I realized it was a very good tea; I just expected miracles because I had paid a little more. The higher price made me judge it more harshly - "sure, it's good, but is it THAT good?"<br /><br />Both situations are similar, in that I was biased towards the price range I usually pay. Thinking the Ahmad tea didn't cut it helped me justify buying mid-range Assams. And so did rating a pricier option as unimpressive.<br /><br />I'm really interested in that Influence book, in any case, even if it doesn't always predict my own behavior.Scott F.noreply@blogger.com