How do you get so many infusions?

[bigmonstertruck]

I am using high-quality Senchas, such as Den's, Ocha, Yukki-Cha, etc. * to 10 grams in a kyusu with about 7-8 o of water at 155-160 degrees. I steep 1 min, 30 sec, 1-1/2 mins (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and they are all very nice, with the third steep sometimes a tad bit week. I don't see how to infuse the tea any more and maintain quality. Am I doing something something wrong? Maybe I like it stronger at first so it will not hold up past Steep #4? Please offer some opinions.

Ed

[debunix]

Maybe I like it stronger at first so it will not hold up past Steep #4?

I think that's the issue. In general I like my tea more dilute than average, because that helps to moderate the less desirable flavors. I get that two ways--lower leaf to water ratios than yours, and shorter steeps.

I use 5 grams in a 5 oz pot, and shorter infusions--30", 10", 30", 60", 90", maybe 2 minutes if I have time to keep going.

[Chip]

I also increase temps incrementally. But you should expect the thick soupiness to fade to sweet tea water til you are done with the 5th steep. I figure I like it, and enjoy it.

But not everyone enjoys this ... I figure it is like sweet tea water, and like it, so I drink it. If you only like 3 steeps, that is super fine!

I often smell the leaves after pouring, if I sense flavor is still in the leaf, I keep going.

Here is a typical asamushi session (seems by your first steep time you are brewing asa?) ... most good sencha 1 gram per ounce. I preheat the pot for the first steep (and do smell the warming leaves in the preheated pot!)

155-160* for 90"
160-165* for 15-30"
175* for 60"
185* for 120"
up to boiling for up to 5'
saving a possible 6th steep for evening ... boiling for 5 or more minutes

[tortoise]

great topic, ed. i was thinking of posting this very question. I rarely go more than two steepings for sencha, but have had nice 3rd steepings on a handful of occasions. On those occasions I had shortened the brew time on previous steeps but not altered the amount of leaf. I did get a good 3rd steeping, but the first - though not bad - was not tasting how I like it.

For me, the 3rd steeping is my "tea-water" and I just don't get too much enjoyment beyond that.

[bigmonstertruck]

So it seems like the 4th, 5th steepings and beyond (to infinity and beyond?!?) is mainly for those who enjoy the lighter, delicate, and less bold flavors. I like a big huge slap in the face, and the very full flavors, and it seems like there is concurrence that I will not get that with more than 2 or 3 steeps. If I want the tea to be more tame, sweet, or gently, I will brew slightly cooler, maybe at 145 degrees. So it looks like I am not missing anything.

As far as the question of type of green, I am not knowledgeable of the types (see my separate post), but for example, I like Yukata Midori (O-cha) and Den's Shincha and get three good steeps of each, then I toss the leaves.

Thanks for all the replies.

Ed

[Chip]

So it seems like the 4th, 5th steepings and beyond (to infinity and beyond?!?) is mainly for those who enjoy the lighter, delicate, and less bold flavors. I like a big huge slap in the face, and the very full flavors, and it seems like there is concurrence that I will not get that with more than 2 or 3 steeps. If I want the tea to be more tame, sweet, or gently, I will brew slightly cooler, maybe at 145 degrees. So it looks like I am not missing anything.

As far as the question of type of green, I am not knowledgeable of the types (see my separate post), but for example, I like Yukata Midori (O-cha) and Den's Shincha and get three good steeps of each, then I toss the leaves.

Thanks for all the replies.

Ed

I like big and bold as well, but enjoy the changes the tea goes through. This is why many peeps like gong fu as well.

For fukamushi like Yutaka Midori, a shorter first steep is advisable.

[ssserica]

this is a good thread. i try for 3 but sometimes find i only really get 2 good ones. i wonder how people seem to get 5+ because i have never been able to get a good 4th brew. i also maybe need to buy better quality tea. I have been an avid tea drinker for a while but i have just recently started to actually take the whole process and quality into due consideration so there is alot i am learning.

[Sirwill]

I guess if you use a higher leaf to water ratio you could get more steeps out of it, but for senchas that could prove to be a bit strong.
For high quality sencha I usually stick to three infusions of a bit cooler water; 160, 170, 180.
If I do brew a fourth it is for a long time at boiling. This seems to work pretty well! The tea I have had most success with this is Den's shincha.
Good stuff!

[Oni]

With a large kyusu, using around 8 grams to 200 ml water at 70 C, 1 minute first infusion, 20 seconds (this is important, second infusion is always shorter that the first), and 40 seconds to 1 minute, I always get 3 decent infusions, but if your sencha is lightsteamed and very high quality, like shupping grade, you can always use a houhin, and use a bit more leaves, 5 grams to 100 ml, or even more, and I can usually get 4 or 5 infusions, I recently had such a great houhin session, and I usually get more infusions out of gyokuro.
P.S. Generally people make 3 infusions of green tea, when they are drinking it in a casual way, regardless if it is chinese or japanese green tea.

[shinobicha]

Here's an easy way to get a minimum of 4, sometimes 5 or more infusions from any Japanese green that is at least good quality (It works very well with high quality gyokuro and sencha, but I think it could work with almost anything):

1st steep: 2-3g leaf, 2 T water (yes, you read that right, just 2 Tablespoons) cooled in the freezer to 37-40 F. Pour the water to the side of the kyusu, so that the leaves aren't completely submerged. Steep for 10-15 minutes.
There won't be a lot of tea, but it doesn't matter, take tiny sips, as the flavor is incredibly intense and delicious.

2nd steep: 1oz water, 100-110F, 4 minutes

3rd steep: 2oz water, 140, 2 minutes

4th steep: 2-3oz water, 160, 1 minute

5th steep: 2-3oz water, 180, 30 seconds

6th steep: 2-3oz water, boiling, pour immediately

The tea will start getting weaker at the 5th or 6th, but there should still be plenty of flavor and more and more sweetness as you go.

You might also think it isn't enough water for each of the steepings -- that's fine, just double the amount of leaf and the amount of water. This is not only a good way to get a lot of steepings, but it's brings out some of the best flavors in whatever tea you choose (in my opinion of course). Just be aware that the 1st steeping is very strong/mouth filling.