Sencha Brewing Question

[Chip]

I am left curious about weight vs volume of tea in terms of measuring.

Interestingly, I never weighed tea or measured temp in my life until recently. I stuck to only a few teas that I liked and saw the amount that the tea shop owner would use where I bought the tea. Common sense would adjust tea or temp as needed. But, now, I drink more teas and the cost adds up. Some are quite expensive. I have more pots and their capacities differ. Since it's so simple to take my gram scale out and weigh the tea, I have done this routinely, lately. This started with my drinking of Japanese greens. I can see that at some point, I will be able to eyeball the amounts and abandon the scale. The temp thing is more tricky as I find the Japanese teas much more sensitive to temp variations than Chinese teas. So, my digital thermometer has become a regular fixture in my tea tools container.

Common ground. Especially with Japanese greens. And though not primary for me, it can prevent waste due to using too much leaf.

It is a personal preference, choice. I prefer to use the resources at hand in order to quantify my results and adjustments. Each Japanese tea is different, so this helps me to find the sweet spot and find it consistantly. This is one reason I have great tea after great tea, great TeaDay after great TeaDay, etc.

I know a lot of people enjoy using their intuitive methods and the variability that often results. And that is great. Brew as you like, like as you brew.

Regardless, if you are experiencing a problem with a tea, by all means, get out the tools that are available, find the sweet spot. If you want to go back then to more intuitive brewing with the new found knowledge, please do.

[pedantic]

I am left curious about weight vs volume of tea in terms of measuring.

I typically eye-ball it - sort of trust my intuition and experience over the years on the amount of tea per amount of water for a given tea - and this may change as a tea 'ages' (becomes a month or so older).

So - I can't imagine that y'all are actually weighing your tea, or are you?

It seems much more realistic that you measure it out by volume.

I'm curious to know - how do you actually arrive at an accurate 1g or 2g, etc? Do you actually weigh it on a scale, then see what the volume is, and take it from there for future infusing so you don't have to get out the scale every time? Do you keep a scale handy in your tea area? Please do tell.

Many people here weigh, as it is the best way to get the proper amount of tea. Measuring tea by volume will not account for different sizes in tea leaves. For example, the same volume of cut black tea will weigh more than a high-quality whole leaf oolong.

I have two identical 100g digital scales, one at home, and one at work. It's much easier to weigh it then the guesswork with volume. But don't get too hung up on getting exactly the right amount. Unless you are measuring your water to the amount of accuracy, it won't matter as much that you get it spot-on. What it does let you do is get more consistent results. The more measuring and work you put in, the more consistency you get out.

Weighing perhaps gets you the best ROI.

[J.]

I use 1.5 teaspoon per 100ml when I brew fukamushi or I juste put tealeaves to hide the bottom of the teapot.
Of course, the weight of leaves is variable, it makes every cup of tea unique.

[TokyoB]

I am left curious about weight vs volume of tea in terms of measuring.

I typically eye-ball it - sort of trust my intuition and experience over the years on the amount of tea per amount of water for a given tea - and this may change as a tea 'ages' (becomes a month or so older).

So - I can't imagine that y'all are actually weighing your tea, or are you?

It seems much more realistic that you measure it out by volume.

I'm curious to know - how do you actually arrive at an accurate 1g or 2g, etc? Do you actually weigh it on a scale, then see what the volume is, and take it from there for future infusing so you don't have to get out the scale every time? Do you keep a scale handy in your tea area? Please do tell.

I usually use a scale when at home. At work I measure the tea using a teaspoon for Japanese teas (and yes I did first determine the weight of a teaspoon of sencha). For Chinese greens and Taiwan oolongs, I just eyeball it when at work.

[Seeker]

Great to hear from you all!
I appreciate your comments, your experience.
Interestingly, I just purchased an Oxo digital scale. I'll have to do
some tea weighing!
Of course that'll be after my Dr. imposed break from tea.
I can hardly wait!