A cup of tea, like a good workout, shows progress in the quiet way it unfolds. First you notice the aroma – has it deepened, or does it still feel faint? Then the colour – does it bloom more uniformly, showing the leaves have been respected? Taste is the final test; a well‑steeped cup should have a balanced body, a gentle finish that lingers, not a sour sting of over‑exposure. I write these details in my notebook, marking each day, so I can see whether my tea, like my muscles, is growing stronger and more refined.

You’re right, the rhythm matters. I’ll keep my eyes on the steam and the quick colour shift, then sip and decide if it hits that punch. If it feels flat I’ll give it a gentle stir, not a whirl, and let the leaves release their true strength. That’s how I mark progress, one clear sip at a time.