Storing tea between infusions.

[clayton684]

Storing tea between infusions.

by clayton684 » Sep 24th, '10, 14:32

I'm a real novice with oolong teas. When I go back to try an oolong after one infusion, there are little fuzzies growing on my leaves. What should I do.

[TwoPynts]

Re: Storing tea between infusions.

by TwoPynts » Sep 24th, '10, 14:36

Well, one suggestion would be to try and finish the leaves up in one long session. Some folks don't believe in storing wet leaves. Another suggestion would be to drip dry the leaves as much as possible and then store them in an airtight container in the fridge.

If it is just going to be a few hours, I wouldn't worry. I have kept leaves in a pot overnight (covered) and have yet to have anything grow on them.

[Alex]

Re: Storing tea between infusions.

by Alex » Sep 24th, '10, 15:22

Out of interest how long are you leaving them clayton?

[tingjunkie]

Re: Storing tea between infusions.

by tingjunkie » Sep 25th, '10, 00:41

Out of interest how long are you leaving them clayton?

+1

[clayton684]

Re: Storing tea between infusions.

by clayton684 » Sep 25th, '10, 20:42

I'm leaving them in a tupperware container about a day. I normally am able to take tea between 4 and 7, so around those time. The leaves are wet however. Normally the Wuyi gets the fuzzies earlier.

[tingjunkie]

Re: Storing tea between infusions.

by tingjunkie » Sep 25th, '10, 23:37

Are you brewing western style, or gongfu style? Why only one infusion per day? Perhaps you should switch to a smaller pot or brewing vessel so that you can use less leaf and steep it more than once per day?

[Oni]

Re: Storing tea between infusions.

by Oni » Sep 26th, '10, 02:24

It is not advisable to leave the tealeaves overnight, in around 20 minutes they start to oxidise and become attacked by bacteria, so it is not the same tea anymore, try to buy a small teapot (40 ml if you are drinking tea alone) and finish your tea in one go, I usually brew oolong 6 - 7 times in one half an hour.