How many times do you use your tea leaves before throwing them out?
How long should you let them sit before throwing them out in between steepings?
This is all pretty much a matter of personal preference.
Typically one would brew the leaves till they no longer yield a decent, or enjoyable cup. And that has too many variables for someone to answer you specifically. It depends on the tea and the amount you brew, and the temp.
You need to try it with each of your teas and see.
As for sitting between steeps again it's what you feel comfortable with. I used to have a 4 hour rule, which I recently threw out the window. With good leaves of an excellent or expensive tea, no one is going to throw away leaves due to a time limit. I have not re-brewed leaves left in a pot overnight, but some here do. And I might too, given the right circumstances.
Typically one would brew the leaves till they no longer yield a decent, or enjoyable cup. And that has too many variables for someone to answer you specifically. It depends on the tea and the amount you brew, and the temp.
You need to try it with each of your teas and see.
As for sitting between steeps again it's what you feel comfortable with. I used to have a 4 hour rule, which I recently threw out the window. With good leaves of an excellent or expensive tea, no one is going to throw away leaves due to a time limit. I have not re-brewed leaves left in a pot overnight, but some here do. And I might too, given the right circumstances.
- Victoria -
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
http://victoriasown.blogspot.com/
Ok, well, I have only been steeping the leaves 2 times for everything. I guess I'll have to try longer and see how they do.
I have left my leaves in the pot overnight and used them again, but I just wasn't sure if that was a good idea. It seems to be fine. I just wasn't sure how long it would take for mold to set in, since they stay wet.
I have left my leaves in the pot overnight and used them again, but I just wasn't sure if that was a good idea. It seems to be fine. I just wasn't sure how long it would take for mold to set in, since they stay wet.
Jul 10th, '08, 16:43
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Ok, I may have to try that then. Thanks!Salsero wrote:I stick the pot in the refrigerator if I am going overnight.elchai wrote: I have left my leaves in the pot overnight and used them again, but I just wasn't sure if that was a good idea. It seems to be fine. I just wasn't sure how long it would take for mold to set in, since they stay wet.
If I'm brewing western style, I steep 3 times over about a 24 hour period. I'll decant and drink the first brew immediately and cover the leaves with hot water again. I'll probably drink the second brew 3-8 hours later. The 3rd brew I'll have sit overnight, sans refrigeration, and probably drink sometime after my first fresh cup of the day. I never let the leaves dry out before adding water again.
Leaving tea sit over 36 hours leads to off tastes develop and I toss it. If I have wet leaves sitting around they go moldy after 3 days. For them to stay wet and go moldy the container must be covered, like in a gaiwan. Otherwise they just dry out. I've never had liquid get moldy, just the leaves, though I have observed a change something like fermentation in the liquid after several days.
The way your tea behaves will also depend on the conditions of your household, such as temperature, sunlight, and humidity. So experiment and get to know your tea.
Leaving tea sit over 36 hours leads to off tastes develop and I toss it. If I have wet leaves sitting around they go moldy after 3 days. For them to stay wet and go moldy the container must be covered, like in a gaiwan. Otherwise they just dry out. I've never had liquid get moldy, just the leaves, though I have observed a change something like fermentation in the liquid after several days.
The way your tea behaves will also depend on the conditions of your household, such as temperature, sunlight, and humidity. So experiment and get to know your tea.