Rooibos brewing problems

[stephf]

Rooibos brewing problems

by stephf » Nov 2nd, '07, 00:05

Hey everyone, I'm new here, so sorry if you get a lot of questions like this, but I recently purchased a few varieties of rooibos, and when I tried making them, they didn't have the same flavor they had in the tea house. I followed all of the instructions, bringing the tea to the right temperature, let it steep the right amount of time, etc. But I don't have a tea kettle or strainer, I just brewed it in a pot. The special kettles are really expensive. So, the tea was okay, but it was really weak, even though I steeped it the right amount of time. What could this be from?

[Wesli]

by Wesli » Nov 2nd, '07, 00:17

"If the tea is weak, add more leaf!"

But in the case of rooibos, add more twigs or whatever that stuff is made from.

[CynTEAa]

by CynTEAa » Nov 2nd, '07, 13:25

fatalitea is right, more leaf!

how much water does the pot hold? should be a teaspoon per 6 oz of water.

~C

[stephf]

by stephf » Nov 2nd, '07, 15:56

actually, i used about a teaspoon and a half for one cup, so i didn't think this was the problem, but i can give it a try with more tonight..

[Wesli]

by Wesli » Nov 2nd, '07, 16:19

I use closer to 1 teaspoon for 125 mL(4 oz). This is what works best for me.

[CynTEAa]

by CynTEAa » Nov 2nd, '07, 17:27

boiling water? 7- 10 minutes steeping?

[Wesli]

by Wesli » Nov 2nd, '07, 17:37

CyTEAa is right, 7 minutes makes a much better cup than a rooibos that has been brewed for only 4 minutes or less. I've been told to go 10 minutes, but 7 is stretching it a bit far already!

[stephf]

by stephf » Nov 2nd, '07, 18:30

Ok. The package said 5-6 minutes steeping, so I'll try about 10 tonight. Thanks a lot guys!