Re-steep?

by JM » Feb 26th, '08, 19:13

Re-steep?

by JM » Feb 26th, '08, 19:13

I've noticed in a few threads that some people are re-steeping their leaves, I'm new to loose leaf, could I re-steep my infuser? How long after I use it the first time can I re-use it?

Thank you.

j

by **Victoria** » Feb 26th, '08, 19:22

by Victoria » Feb 26th, '08, 19:22

Yes you certainly can! Right away! You will want to steep a little longer each time. And make sure the water is just off boiling (for blacks).

Depending on the tea and the volume you should get 2-3 good steeps. You will notice the flavor changing. Brew till it no longer tastes good! You will find the blacks calm way down and mellow out fast.

How long in between? Well, personally I don't like it sitting around more than 4 hours.

by **harmyd** » Mar 15th, '08, 23:28

by harmyd » Mar 15th, '08, 23:28

Hello. I have been re-steeping my black teas and each cup is very enjoyable. The taste changes from each steep which makes the tea interesting. Using Yunnan Gold, I get three infusions while with Ceylon Black Tips I have been getting two infusions. It is all about experimenting around and you will find what works out.

by **ABx** » Mar 16th, '08, 00:53

by ABx » Mar 16th, '08, 00:53

As long as you don't let the first infusion steep forever you should be able to get multiple infusions out of pretty much any tea. How many steeps depends on the individual tea, though the higher quality teas tend to yeild more infusions.

by **Chip** » Mar 16th, '08, 04:10

by Chip » Mar 16th, '08, 04:10

Dust, fannings, and many BOPs will not give you multible infusions...but for most fannings and dust, they won't give you even one good steep. :evil:

by **harmyd** » Mar 16th, '08, 16:10

by harmyd » Mar 16th, '08, 16:10

Chip wrote:Dust, fannings, and many BOPs will not give you multible infusions...but for most fannings and dust, they won't give you even one good steep.

Definitely, dust and fannings are not harmyd approved :roll:

by **Chip** » Mar 16th, '08, 16:31

by Chip » Mar 16th, '08, 16:31

But they are Lipton approved...

This is why quality loose leaf is also a much better value. Some of my best sencha work out to less than a quarter a cup when I factor in multible steeps.

by **skywarrior** » Mar 24th, '08, 00:23

by skywarrior » Mar 24th, '08, 00:23

I tend to not do multiple steeps with black teas. I think it's because I use so little black tea to begin with that the multiple steeps don't taste quite right to me even though I let it steep a while.

I think greens and oolongs do better with multiple steeps. This is all IMO.

by **olivierco** » Mar 24th, '08, 02:34

by olivierco » Mar 24th, '08, 02:34

I don't resteep black teas. I tried it but as I like my black tea strong, I felt the resteeps too light.
Moreover, I didn't tasted major differences between the steeps (only in intensity) to the contrary on green teas, oolongs or puer multiple infusions.

by **motokochan** » Mar 31st, '08, 00:09

by motokochan » Mar 31st, '08, 00:09

I've tried re-steeping my black teas, but I can never get the second infusion to taste good. I either get weak and bitter water, or just ultra-weak tea.

My green and oolong teas steep so well for multiple infusions. Is there some special trick to the first infusion to get decent second infusions out of it? I usually steep for five minutes with water just off a boil (mild, not a rolling boil).

by **silverneedles** » Mar 31st, '08, 01:33

by silverneedles » Mar 31st, '08, 01:33

5min? @ right before boil ?

should not take that long to get taste out ...
maybe not using enough leaf?

by **motokochan** » Mar 31st, '08, 02:11

by motokochan » Mar 31st, '08, 02:11

It has been my understanding that the general brewing rules are:

Black: 5 minutes with 212F water (100C)
Green and light oolong: 3 minutes at 180F (82C)
Dark oolong: 5 to 7 minutes at 212F water (100C)

Since I don't have a scale, I usually go for about 1 tsp of leaves per cup (about 8oz) based on the leaves, although I'm sometimes a bit stingy on leaves. For measuring, I use a cone-shaped coffee scoop (it was free) that I fill to about 2/3 to 3/4 full. This usually brews fine for my 14oz glass mug.

by **scruffmcgruff** » Mar 31st, '08, 02:37

by scruffmcgruff » Mar 31st, '08, 02:37

motokochan wrote:...the general brewing rules are...

Well, there's your problem.

If you're taking a serious interest in tea, leave those general rules behind! They are really designed for casual teabag users and those who don't know enough to try to get a second steep out of their teas. I would suggest experimenting with more leaf and less time; the rewards will be great in the long run.