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Jun 25th, '10, 11:59
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are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by SunKing » Jun 25th, '10, 11:59

This is a bit unclear.

I always hear about people who "flash rinse" for a few seconds the new leafs before their first cup. Is this how it's supposed to be done? I'm fairly new to tea, especially loose leaf, so I might be wrong, but I don't flash rinse the tea.

What is the point if rinsing it? aside from assuming it is to rinse away dirt and debris from the dry leafs. Does it affect the flavor?

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Jun 25th, '10, 12:01
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Re: are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by Chip » Jun 25th, '10, 12:01

To awaken the leaf, but I must like the leaf sleeping since I do not flash rinse. :mrgreen:

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Jun 25th, '10, 12:29
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Re: are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by Victoria » Jun 25th, '10, 12:29

It really depends on the tea. Puerh - yes always. It helps loose up the leaves and rinses off any dust or debris.

For tightly rolled oolongs, it can loosen them up, awaken them so they are more open and ready to brew.

For blacks it is not necessary nor for any blends or commercial teas.

To do it, you just cover the leaves with the boiling water and pour off -
within a few seconds.

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Jun 25th, '10, 15:12
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Re: are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by teaisme » Jun 25th, '10, 15:12

also teas of questionable quality usually get a flash rinse from me (blacks)
For balled oolongs I usually rinse all of them not only to clean and awaken but to enjoy that great smell before the first brew

I don't rinse greens, whites, or yellows (although I have been seriously considering a cold water rinse of them lately)

I hear its important to rinse puer though, many recommend two rinses. kinda common sense since its been sitting around for so long and some get moldy/dusty

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Jun 27th, '10, 14:55
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Re: are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by Dresden » Jun 27th, '10, 14:55

I would think puerh and oolongs are by far the most rinsed teas...

I never rinse white, green or black.

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Jun 29th, '10, 12:23
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Re: are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by brad4419 » Jun 29th, '10, 12:23

yes for pu erh because of sanitary reasons and to wake it up but for other tea its not really "necessary" but more of a preference if your worried about it having dust or something on it. Some people will flash infuse oolongs to wake up the flavor. I guess thats what I call my first infusion :wink: because I just can't pour it out.

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Jul 1st, '10, 14:25
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Re: are you supposed to rinse the tea before the first cup?

by SunKing » Jul 1st, '10, 14:25

hahahaha yeah. I knew that with Pu erh you have to. I'm gonna try it out and see which method I like best, because sometimes I've seen this sort of oily film when the tea is brewing, rinsing it would probably get rid of it. Thanks all!

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