squeezing out leaf after infusion

[Kentoz]

Hey everyone,
I have a question, most of us know that when you pour out your gyo or sencha after infusion you are supposed to make sure you get it all out to the last drop, my question is is it ok to take a plastic spoon and push the last bit of moisture out of the leaf against the screen to get all the flavor out? I ask this because after I let the kyusu drain out on its own there is still some drops of tea left, I usully save this method to my last infusion to get out all the goodness and it ususlly yields more flavor, I have never heard this discussed before any thoughts
Thanks

[Geekgirl]

No, blech. When you squeeze the leaves, you get nothing but bitter.

[Tead Off]

Yes, the thought of squeezing out the liquid is uncooth and unnecessary.

[Chip]

3rd steep of O-Cha's Uji teabags ... I squeeze and squeeze and squeeze ... usually in a restuarant ... and it comes out amazing.

Who da thunk it?

Don't try this at home, TCers!

[silverneedles]

yup i do the squeeeze
also do the smash (when got nothing but old leaf and really need my fix, i smack it/roll it in my hand... not saying the made tea is good)

[bsteele]

Don't squeeze it... Just snort your leaves!

Ummm I mean.... *cough*

How bout that weather, eh?

[Kentoz]

No, blech. When you squeeze the leaves, you get nothing but bitter.

Hi geek girl
What I find when I squeeze out the leafs and as I said I usually only do that on the last infusion you will be surprised on how much greener your tea becomes after you just pour it and wait for the last drops, meaning that there is alot more goodness left in the leaf after squeezing it out, being the third or fourth infusion anyway it does not come out bitter, anyway just trying to help out my fellow fanatics try it once and see
Thanks for your reply
Ken

[Geekgirl]

No thanks. Do not like.

[Sam.]

I just tried this with an (extra early) morning session of O-Cha's chiran sencha. I did it after my third steep, which is always my last. I couldn't tell much of a difference honestly, but I didn't get that much extra liquid to come out. It certainly didn't make the cup bad or bitter because it's already pretty weak by the third round.

[teaisme]

yeah I seen this mentioned once or twice

i gently press some juice out , press tooo hard and yes I think it does make it a little too bitter and weaken future infusions , but if you press lightly enough I think it enhances later infusions

That's just me though, I mentioned in a past post about finding a tea tool that does this, but don't think one exists

[Sam.]

That's just me though, I mentioned in a past post about finding a tea tool that does this, but don't think one exists

I've seen a tea bag squeezer for teabags, but nothing like that for loose leaf tea.

[Kentoz]

yeah I seen this mentioned once or twice

i gently press some juice out , press tooo hard and yes I think it does make it a little too bitter and weaken future infusions , but if you press lightly enough I think it enhances later infusions

That's just me though, I mentioned in a past post about finding a tea tool that does this, but don't think one exists

Thanks churng I wholeheartly with you I press lighlty also, partly because I dont want to damage my screen on the kyusu in the process, glad IAM NOT the only one who does this some on the blog think IAM nuts for squeezing out the goodness left but I had a few people say that they tried it and found it helped that last infusion thanks ken

[beachape]

Back when I drank teabags I would squeeze them. I would only do it so when i set the teabag down (on a plate or on the table) it wouldn't make a tea puddle.

Don't do it with looseleaf

[Skippyandjif]

I only squeeze if I'm using a teabag-- otherwise, I just kind of gently shake my tea strainer to remove any excess moisture without damaging the leaves.

[Chip]

I only squeeze if I'm using a teabag-- otherwise, I just kind of gently shake my tea strainer to remove any excess moisture without damaging the leaves.

+1, exactly!

I don't think I ever squeezed the leaves in a pot.