sencha brewing tips

[Drax]

In general, you probably can start brewing sencha at a higher (80C) temp. That's what I'm currently doing w/ yutaka midori shincha. I am also brewing it at the ratio that you mention (~1g per 1oz).

But I view brewing parameters as ways to change the volume, brightness, contrast, etc of a tea. Usually I'm in the mood for a kick-in-the-mouth cup of tea. Sometimes I want something gentler, and to do that, I can start at a lower temp, steep it shorter, or use less leaf.

Regardless, a ramp-up in temperature for successive steeps seems advisable with any sencha.

[Lionel]

- bottled water
- 1.5 g / 1 oz
1- 70°C - 45 sec
2- 75 °C - 20 sec
3- 80 °C - 1 min

I make variations around this standard method...No big difference between asamushi and fukamushi...

1g/oz is too weak for me.

[m147]

any of you manage to get a 4th infusion? i tried the other day but all i got is light green, slight tea taste water.

[tortoise]

any of you manage to get a 4th infusion? i tried the other day but all i got is light green, slight tea taste water.

Sometimes.

I am less tolerant of late Sencha steepings than many. I usually get very bored after 3. If you want to extend the number of steepings you get from one session, you can use more leaf. If more leaf makes it too strong, you can modify time or temperature to suit. Also, quality of leaf is a key factor as well.

[bigmonstertruck]

any of you manage to get a 4th infusion? i tried the other day but all i got is light green, slight tea taste water.

I usually get three good steeps. I asked this same question a while back, and it seems that if one enjoys light, delicate flavors, then the steeping can be taken to at least 4 or 5 times. I like fuller flavors, so I seldom go beyond 3 steeps, and I can almost always get 3 good steeps. Sometimes I venture into a 4th steep, but it is always a consolation, and just a shadow of the other steeps.

Ed

[NOESIS]

Personally, I've found that the protocol recommended by Ippodo always gives 3 tasty steeps, but it uses a lot of leaf.

http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/tea/sencha_01.html

This is the method that I use, if I'm not drinking solo.

[Chip]

While I like the full throttle flavor profile of the first steeps, I also enjoy later, lighter steeps 4, 5 and even 6 or 7 at times.

The latest steeps are often a simple, sweet tea water, refreshing and lower caffeine for well into the evening!

Whenever possible, I go 5!

[TIM]

Personally, I've found that the protocol recommended by Ippodo always gives 3 tasty steeps, but it uses a lot of leaf.

http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/tea/sencha_01.html

This is the method that I use, if I'm not drinking solo.

+1 thats the only way I do mine. Very different comparing chinese green, the first 2 cups of Japanese green is always the best.

[David R.]

I don't think that Google can translate it well, but for those who can read french, Florent, a new member here, has released a great article on his blog about the influence of parameters on japanese teas. Some very interesting experiments are also discussed.

It is here.

[debunix]

Actually, google translate made it quite accessible to me, and perhaps will to others as well.

[jaylorgator]

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I can't make the Ippodo sencha brewing suggestions page work on my computer. Does anyone know what they recommended?

[iannon]

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I can't make the Ippodo sencha brewing suggestions page work on my computer. Does anyone know what they recommended?

Their basic recommendations on their sencha pages are 10g tea to 210ml water 80c for 1 min.

[Tead Off]

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I can't make the Ippodo sencha brewing suggestions page work on my computer. Does anyone know what they recommended?

Their basic recommendations on their sencha pages are 10g tea to 210ml water 80c for 1 min.

There seems to be 2 different recommendations on Ippodo's site for brewing sencha. The one I always followed was 10g/120ml water, approx./70c temp/60sec.

I found, depending on the tea, and, if I wanted to use a smaller pot, it was better to start with 65c temp and adjust the time. Some teas need less time, some need more. Sometimes 10g is too much. But, it's a good way to start for maximum flavor.