So I'm pretty new to teas and infusing and everything, and I'm just wondering how safe if is to judge steeping by color more than time/temps?
Like on a second and third infusion, can I wait until it looks right and safely assume the flavor will be there? or will the leaves be giving off color even though the flavor is weaker, or vice versa? Follow me?
I'm also not hip to temps. I microwave my water in a ceramic kettle usually until it seems pretty damn hot and just go for it, is that an awful idea? Usually about 5 mins for a quart.
and lastly... how much should a "teaspoon" of tea weigh? My leaves are too puffy for my rookie eye to tell yet so I want to use my scale for a while until I get a better idea.
Thanks in advance
Same question
Hi I'm just starting brewing loose teas also. Besides the amount question does the tea lose anything if its brewed and you dont drink it till next day?
May 18th, '09, 10:37
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Color is not a reliable indicator. Aroma can be a better indicator. Timing the brew and some trial and error is the best way to decide when your tea is ready.
Generally, microwaves are not the best way to heat your water for tea. I recommend a kettle of some kind, either stove top or self standing elictric kettle that you plug in.
Teas like white are best consumed as soon as possible after brewing, the brew tends to oxidize/darken after brewing, particularly for whites it seems to me, perhaps because white leaf has not been oxidized and is the least processed of all the different tea leaves.
However, you can rebrew the leaves throughout the day, and I have kept white leaves for resteeping even the next day.
Color is not a reliable indicator. Aroma can be a better indicator. Timing the brew and some trial and error is the best way to decide when your tea is ready.
Generally, microwaves are not the best way to heat your water for tea. I recommend a kettle of some kind, either stove top or self standing elictric kettle that you plug in.
Teas like white are best consumed as soon as possible after brewing, the brew tends to oxidize/darken after brewing, particularly for whites it seems to me, perhaps because white leaf has not been oxidized and is the least processed of all the different tea leaves.
However, you can rebrew the leaves throughout the day, and I have kept white leaves for resteeping even the next day.
May 18th, '09, 11:55
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Well, each white tea (if we are talking white) is going to weigh differently. For 6-8 ounces of water, since white is so fluffy, around 1-2 tablespoons. I will usually go around a gram per ounce water for whites, sometimes less.
Just pour the water off, as much as possible, then resteep. Never wring it out.
Just pour the water off, as much as possible, then resteep. Never wring it out.
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