theanine high

Made from leaves that have not been oxidized.


Jul 3rd, '11, 20:43
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Re: theanine high

by sbw108 » Jul 3rd, '11, 20:43

The theanine high is the main reason I drink tea. I've experimented with many kinds of tea, although I haven't tried matcha yet. I get the best high from Gyokuro and Silver Needle White. Regarding the Silver Needle White, it's important to get good quality. The leaves should be whole and well formed and you should be able to see the silver down which covers each leaf.

Also, to get the best high, proper brewing is essential. Theanine will dissolve in water temperatures above 120 degrees F (50 C). Caffeine and the more bitter tannins tend to dissolve at higher temperatures. If the water temperature is above 176 degrees (80 C), the bitter tannins and caffeine will overcome the Theanine, masking both the taste and the mind altering effect. So, the secret of getting the natural ‘high’ of tea, along with a sweeter and less bitter taste, is to brew the tea with cooler water, ideally between 150 and 160 degrees.

For Silver Needle, I use a heaping tablespoon to 10 ounces of 160 degree water. I let it brew for 12 to 15 minutes with a lid on the cup. I know that may seem too long, but at this temperature, it's ok. It won't taste bitter. After 15 minutes, you'll have a golden liquor, the perfect temperature to drink.

The Gyokuro must be brewed with even cooler water, ideally, about 150 degrees and not more than 2 minutes. I use a level teaspoon to 10 ounces of water. With both varieties, a second brewing is fine. But most of the theanine is exhausted after the first brewing. So, for the second brewing, I use less and slightly hotter water, producing maybe 5 ounces of tea that has a higher caffeine content.

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Jul 4th, '11, 15:32
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Re: theanine high

by olivierco » Jul 4th, '11, 15:32

sbw108 wrote: The Gyokuro must be brewed with even cooler water, ideally, about 150 degrees and not more than 2 minutes. I use a level teaspoon to 10 ounces of water.
If you have a real gyokuro, you should try about 7g for 3oz, 130°F, 90s for first steep.
sbw108 wrote: But most of the theanine is exhausted after the first brewing.
Not really. 30-40% for first steep

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Jul 8th, '11, 14:44
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Re: theanine high

by ryan » Jul 8th, '11, 14:44

Nice I will have to order some Silver Needle White and give it a try! Thanks for the post.

Jul 9th, '11, 14:28
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Re: theanine high

by sbw108 » Jul 9th, '11, 14:28

To Olivierco, thanks for the tip. I guess I tend to go light because the stuff is so expensive. But I'll try your suggestion and see what happens. BW

Jul 10th, '11, 14:09
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Re: theanine high

by verus » Jul 10th, '11, 14:09

I got the most powerful tea high I've ever had from a green kukicha tea. It's a mix of broken leaf and twigs, and it sends me to lala land...

When I drink it I feel like bamboo gliding in the wind, just sitting, dreaming and staring ahead for an hour afterwards. Potent stuff!

Jul 11th, '11, 12:07
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Re: theanine high

by Tekoppen » Jul 11th, '11, 12:07

verus wrote:I got the most powerful tea high I've ever had from a green kukicha tea. It's a mix of broken leaf and twigs, and it sends me to lala land...

When I drink it I feel like bamboo gliding in the wind, just sitting, dreaming and staring ahead for an hour afterwards. Potent stuff!
From what I've learned, the twigs have very little caffeine in them, so a Sencha should give you even more effect.

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Jul 12th, '11, 15:18
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Re: theanine high

by teaisme » Jul 12th, '11, 15:18

they are talking about theanine not caffeine

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Jul 12th, '11, 15:37
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Re: theanine high

by Chip » Jul 12th, '11, 15:37

I thought they were discussing THC ... :mrgreen:

I honestly do not know what a theanine high is, but perhaps this is part of the craving we develop?

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Jul 12th, '11, 16:05
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Re: theanine high

by entropyembrace » Jul 12th, '11, 16:05

Hmmmm I feel the same after drinking an espresso shot as I do after drinking a bowl of matcha....and coffee isnt supposed to have theanine.

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Jul 12th, '11, 16:21
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Re: theanine high

by teaisme » Jul 12th, '11, 16:21

Chip wrote:I thought they were discussing THC ... :mrgreen:

I honestly do not know what a theanine high is, but perhaps this is part of the craving we develop?
I'm with you there
I feel calm and collected...but high?
I would also like to be tea trunk one day :mrgreen:

Its crazy how when I brew tea for people they experience all these things to the point where they have to sit down because they get really light headed, but no not me :x

Jul 12th, '11, 19:37
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Re: theanine high

by verus » Jul 12th, '11, 19:37

Theanine

Theanine is not caffeine; it is also not "theine" which is actually the exact same chemical substance as caffeine. The stems that you find in green kukicha are rich in teanine and can cause a powerful "tea high."

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Jul 13th, '11, 08:22
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Re: theanine high

by fire_snake » Jul 13th, '11, 08:22

Sadly,I'm a non-responder to the average amount of Theanine in green tea. I wouldn't say I get high qua high, but I do feel more calm and collected. More mellow.

If I pop Theanine caps (Suntheanine variant), around 200mg in one dose I get really evened out, like a rug on Valium. Theanine at the right dose cam be quite powerful.

Christian

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Jul 13th, '11, 09:26
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Re: theanine high

by gingkoseto » Jul 13th, '11, 09:26

Theanine is an amino acid supposed to have calming effect. Could the "theanine high" actually be "caffeine high"? :mrgreen:

Jul 16th, '11, 11:25
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Re: theanine high

by sbw108 » Jul 16th, '11, 11:25

[quote="olivierco"]
If you have a real gyokuro, you should try about 7g for 3oz, 130°F, 90s for first steep.

Wow! You were right. But it's a little too intense for me. The next time, I tried 3 gms, 4 oz water. Perfect for me. That's about as much as I can take. Thanks for the lesson. BW

Jul 16th, '11, 17:22
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Re: theanine high

by a.serrao » Jul 16th, '11, 17:22

Not to be rude in any way but...
it's funny to see biological statements without properly citing sources...

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