TeaChat

I was wondering if anyone adds additional dry leaf or buds to subsequent steepings. I usually get three to four steeps with silver needle without adding any. I was wondering if anyone adds a smaller amount of buds on each subsequent steep or if they just re-use the wet leaves/buds?

I've always just kept re-steeping what's in the gaiwan (or pot or whatever) until the tea gives out. But that's my preference. Some people would toss out the leaves much sooner than I do.

Eastree, that is what I usually do. I read something somewhere about adding additional leaves/buds on subsequent steepings. I guess I will just have to experiment.

Yup. It's all about personal taste.

I've done that with greens before, but I rarely like the taste. The taste of subsequent steeptings seems odd when mixed with the flavor from first infusions. Personally I wouldn't recommend this method. I don't.

I've tried it, but results have been unsatisfactory. I just resteep.

Since I am increasing the temp and am fully satisfied with the results...I see no point to it for myself.

I occasionally DO add a few new leaves to a white session. I tend to do this more with older samples than I do with "this year" stuff, though. I think it gives a touch of freshness to a tea that has the body of a good infusion, but now lacks the complexity required to be interesting.