Newby here.
I have been enjoying some rolled green tea with jasmine in it and love the flavor. I have noticed that the rolled leaves are not unfurling a lot, they are noticeably round. I am steeping at 175° for about 3 minutes, with about 2 tsp of tea for 8 or so ounces. Still a little weak to me. Should I be doing something different? Are the leaves supposed to unfurl quite a bit?
Thanks!
Re: Rolled Green Tea not unfurling?
Yes, especially after 3 minutes. Which precise tea is it?casadetrevino wrote:Newby here.
Are the leaves supposed to unfurl quite a bit?
Thanks!
Re: Rolled Green Tea not unfurling?
It definitively should unfurl.
You should try another shop I guess.During the infusion, the pearls unfold, slowly releasing the rich and surprisingly smooth fragrance and flavor of jasmine flowers.
Re: Rolled Green Tea not unfurling?
The unfurling also depends on the brewing vessel. If the leaves have more room to expand, they'll unfurl more quickly and more thoroughly.
I think what really matters, however, is how it tastes. Sometimes I find leaves that don't unfurl as quickly or fully can make brewing easier, as once the leaves unfurl, the tea infuses faster.
Also, I've found that if the leaves of a whole-leaf tea haven't unfurled fully, it's usually a sign that there is a lot more flavor left in them. I have this happen with some oolongs, depending on how I brew them -- there are some teas though that I can brew loose in a mug, with boiling water, and they still unfurl slowly (i.e. mostly not unfurled after as many as 3 minutes) -- and yet after the third or fourth steeping of a similar length, they are fully unfurled.
Most importantly, form your own opinion, based on taste...don't let others tell you what's right or not! In your case, you could try steeping for longer, try steeping in a different vessel, or try varying the brewing temperature.
Also, try a brief wash or rinse to get the leaves wet before the first infusion...this often makes them unfurl faster!
I think what really matters, however, is how it tastes. Sometimes I find leaves that don't unfurl as quickly or fully can make brewing easier, as once the leaves unfurl, the tea infuses faster.
Also, I've found that if the leaves of a whole-leaf tea haven't unfurled fully, it's usually a sign that there is a lot more flavor left in them. I have this happen with some oolongs, depending on how I brew them -- there are some teas though that I can brew loose in a mug, with boiling water, and they still unfurl slowly (i.e. mostly not unfurled after as many as 3 minutes) -- and yet after the third or fourth steeping of a similar length, they are fully unfurled.
Most importantly, form your own opinion, based on taste...don't let others tell you what's right or not! In your case, you could try steeping for longer, try steeping in a different vessel, or try varying the brewing temperature.
Also, try a brief wash or rinse to get the leaves wet before the first infusion...this often makes them unfurl faster!
Feb 11th, '11, 16:18
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Re: Rolled Green Tea not unfurling?
I had these at one point or another 
They unfurled perfectly fine for me. If you are only making one infusion they may not fully open up.
They unfurled perfectly fine for me. If you are only making one infusion they may not fully open up.