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"Cooked leaf" taste...?

Posted: May 14th, '06, 13:41
by joseybird
I just got my package of Adagio samples!! Gorgeously packaged, I might add ^_^

Here's the problem I've encountered though--I've brewed a few cups of different flavored black teas, and I've been getting a distinct "cooked leaf" undertone which I've never gotten from black tea in teabags (or from the one previous full-leaf black tea I've tried: RoT's chai). I use boiling water (not INSANELY boiling though) and steep for exactly 5 minutes (or 4.5 minutes), and I use a teaspoon-full of leaves in a teaball...am I doing anything wrong?

Posted: May 14th, '06, 14:53
by kodama
I don't know enough about black teas to know if this causes what you are worried about (unlikely), but teaballs are not ideal for nearly any tea - it cannot expand, and that makes a big difference for the flavor, especially with whole leaves.

Posted: May 14th, '06, 15:50
by MarshalN
What do you mean by cooked leaf taste? Care to elaborate?

I agree with kodama, teaballs are terrible for any tea.

Posted: May 14th, '06, 18:03
by joseybird
literally, like cooked or stewed leaves...kind of mulchy, almost.

I've been using a tea ball because I need something fairly easy and portable =( can anyone rec anything better that's still relatively cheap and uncomplicated?

Posted: May 14th, '06, 18:43
by Chip
joseybird wrote:literally, like cooked or stewed leaves...kind of mulchy, almost.

I've been using a tea ball because I need something fairly easy and portable =( can anyone rec anything better that's still relatively cheap and uncomplicated?
I often use Republic of Teas infuser basket...it is big and allows plenty of room for your leaves to play...

As far as the tea taste, it sounds like it is the tea that was used as the base for the flavored teas. Usually, with flavored teas, the tea takes a back seat to the flavors. It is unusual for the tea to dominate in such a negative fashion. The tea is often rather nuetral or complimentary to the flavor.

I would email or call your supplier and see if they have had any simular comments. I am sure that your satisfaction is their #1 concern, and they will address your concerns promptly.

I doubt if the tea ball contributed to the problem, but try another method to be sure. 4-5 minutes for falvored black teas should be fine.

Posted: May 14th, '06, 18:57
by MarshalN
I'd go with an infuser basket too.

It does sound like the base is the problem, in this case. You might simply be getting, say, a Keemun based flavoured tea instead of, say, an Assam, and you're not used to the taste.

Posted: May 14th, '06, 19:15
by joseybird
;-; but if the tea base is the problem, then I guess no more flavored adagio teas for me...?

Posted: May 14th, '06, 19:32
by TeaFanatic
Hmmm, I would recommend that you try steeping for less time (perhaps in the range from 3-4 minutes) and see if that helps at all. I think that it probably will.

Posted: May 15th, '06, 18:50
by LavenderPekoe
I don't steep mine for over 3 minutes. I find they get bitter if I do.