Just curious...how many 1st infusions do you guys get out of 1 oz of gyokuro?
the only gyokuro I have tried is Teavana and some brand from Mitsua.
And now I am curious - the tea from teavana - 15 $ for 2 oz - was not that bad. But I am waiting for harney and o-cha in mail.
Teavana easily would give a good cup from a little less than a teaspoon....
Feb 16th, '08, 23:00
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I've never weighed my tea and don't intend to but from looking at tea pron I reckon I use far more than is generally recommended.
My indoctrination into great tea was from someone who used a whole lotta leaf and very minimal infusion times - this has stuck with me to the point of using tiny yixing teapots and stuffing them as full as they, and my wallet, can cope and then using infusion times as short as possible. I was originally shown these methods with a small pyrex jug and a frightening amount of very expensive long jing - I suppose it comes down to how much tea you are likely to drink in the forthcoming session and if you see a great difference in the tea by using loads of leaf and very little water - I do. I tried to skimp when using my last bit of da hong pao from hou de and split it into two disappointing sessions as opposed to one which could have been memorable.
My indoctrination into great tea was from someone who used a whole lotta leaf and very minimal infusion times - this has stuck with me to the point of using tiny yixing teapots and stuffing them as full as they, and my wallet, can cope and then using infusion times as short as possible. I was originally shown these methods with a small pyrex jug and a frightening amount of very expensive long jing - I suppose it comes down to how much tea you are likely to drink in the forthcoming session and if you see a great difference in the tea by using loads of leaf and very little water - I do. I tried to skimp when using my last bit of da hong pao from hou de and split it into two disappointing sessions as opposed to one which could have been memorable.
I have just tried 10 gr/ 70ml with a high grade (but not top grade) gyokuro (from Tamayura).inspectoring wrote:I meant 6 oz cup....
I have heard of the 10 gm/60 ml - but realistically speaking...I think that is too much.
I used Ippodo recommandations (hohin preheated though)
First steep 60°C (140°F) about 80s
Second and third steeps 60°C with no waiting time.
(The method I have used so far: 4 gr / 100 ml at 60°C 150s, 75s, 100s)
The taste was basically the same, though the last brew was very slightly bitter (usually it was kind of weak. This gyokuro isn't top grade quality anyway), but the intensity was trully amazing. I have tried many teas but I had never experienced such intensity (with no bitterness in first and second steeps) in a tea before.
This method deserves further testing (perhaps temperature adjustments) on other gyokuros.
Anyway I think I will use both methods because sometimes I feel like having lighter tea. A perhaps because of the price: 10 gr gyokuro cost about 5-8$ though it is less expensive than my usual champagne (10$ a glass)