TeaChat

I just got some great oolong, which gets about 6 steeps. It is 9 and i am going to bed soon. Is it possible to store the used tea leaves so that I can use the other steeps tomorrow.

usually green oolongs change taste by next day
blacks oolongs not as dramatic

but i wouldn't recommend >2 hours for any tea

I wouldn't. Fours hours is my max, and even then. I have to try not to think about it. I'd say you got your money's worth, and let it go. Make a mental note to start earlier on that tea in the future.

Nothing like a good oolong!

I do that all the time, just leave the leaves in the gaiwan and hit them the next morning. They do lose a bit of flavor, but sometimes it's just the ticket. The 2 hour rule is just nonsense for oolongs and especially if you are brewing them with boiling water. I sometimes drink the same oolong all day long, with 4-5 hour breaks between sessions. A good oolong will go 10+ brewings. Puerh is even more lasting.

There shouldn't be any problem with the leaves. You can leave it overnight.

I think around 24 hours is my max...

10+ brewings of 1 oz each? i never remember enjoying a tea as well after 3 infusions of 4oz
and whats with the boiling water have to do with what? please explain.

either way, after draining the leaves you aren't able to fully dry them out- so they keep stewing in the hot water+vapor between the leaves (+/-hot walls of vessel) add to that hours and hours and it will change taste.

you could still enjoy it, obviously not everyone has the same taste so opinions will be many.

I kept them over night in a sealed zip loc bag. They were great the next day. To silverneedles oolong is great especially at the 3rd and 4th when it is sweetest. After that it is still great tea just different not bad.

there is more than 1 type of oolong,

ginseng oolong has one type of sweetness
other oolongs have other "sweet" sensations and more than that...

leaving a green tea overnight makes it taste more vegetal and metallic to me.