I don't think anyone really meant any offense to the OP. The thing is that green tea isn't supposed to be bitter or astringent at all, so "strong green tea" is something of an oxymoron. It's made to be mild and sweet, so to get a bitter and astringent cup you pretty much have to drink oversteeped low quality green or try something else. Young sheng can sometimes have a green tea taste that can be very bitter and astringent, so that may be one option and kuding another.
If the OP is interested in green tea for the health benefits, it should be noted that all tea has most of the same benefits. It's all made from the same plant, and the processing doesn't change that to any large degree.
There is certainly some bitterness and astringency found in Japanese green tea if you brew it properly (and not just make colored water). E.g. hibiki-an describes their sencha having "perfect astringent aroma" and some as "perfect blend between sweetness and bitterness".
Fukamushi (improperly steamed tea) is more mellow version for people who like their teapot clogged.
Fukamushi (improperly steamed tea) is more mellow version for people who like their teapot clogged.
Jun 15th, '08, 03:32
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Photiou wrote:There is certainly some bitterness and astringency found in Japanese green tea if you brew it properly (and not just make colored water). E.g. hibiki-an describes their sencha having "perfect astringent aroma" and some as "perfect blend between sweetness and bitterness".
Fukamushi (improperly steamed tea) is more mellow version for people who like their teapot clogged.
...hmmm...can't be too upset at the truth. But I love asamushi to fukamushi.Regarding the "rude" comment. The question is sooo strange it is bound to draw some curious comments. I saw nothing rude, however.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
First off, thanks to all of those who have made suggestions, I will definately try and look into many of them next time I am in the market for some more tea
And second of all, I dont think my question was strange at all. I dont want tea that is light and delicate, I like it to be more than colored water that barely tastes like anything.
You call me wierd, but I might think drinking tea your way is wierd. Does somthing being the norm/status quo make it not wierd?
Im just saying its silly to judge different tastes/styles of tea drinking. My brother is like most of yall; he likes tea to be light and steeped "properly" at a lower temperture and for a much shorter time than I do mine for.
I think his infusions taste like hot water.
And I also think it foolish to simply tell me to buy cheap low grade leaves so as not to "offend the dignity" (paraphrase) of finer leaves. I see it the other way around: If im going to be steeping for a long time and drawing out alot of flavor, thats all the more reason to buy HIGH quality tea!
I guess what Im trying to say is, "Dont judge me, bro!"
And second of all, I dont think my question was strange at all. I dont want tea that is light and delicate, I like it to be more than colored water that barely tastes like anything.
You call me wierd, but I might think drinking tea your way is wierd. Does somthing being the norm/status quo make it not wierd?
Im just saying its silly to judge different tastes/styles of tea drinking. My brother is like most of yall; he likes tea to be light and steeped "properly" at a lower temperture and for a much shorter time than I do mine for.
I think his infusions taste like hot water.
And I also think it foolish to simply tell me to buy cheap low grade leaves so as not to "offend the dignity" (paraphrase) of finer leaves. I see it the other way around: If im going to be steeping for a long time and drawing out alot of flavor, thats all the more reason to buy HIGH quality tea!
I guess what Im trying to say is, "Dont judge me, bro!"
I don't think any of us intended our suggestions as anything against your tastes. To each their own, but for those of us who like our tea a little lighter, less astringent, etc. We try to steep on a fine line to minimize some of those characteristics, but if that's what you like feel free. I would say it's akin to someone trying to walk on a balance beam and asking how to lay on the floor. It might seem a bit odd to us, but if you just want to lay down, feel free to lay down.
Jun 17th, '08, 14:19
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We are certainly not judging you...trying to understand you, definitely. This was your first post on the forum. We over time get to know each other's tastes...we don't know yours. We are all tea drinkers...people think we are weird...that is life. You will be labeled as weird if you continue drinking tea.samliketea wrote:First off, thanks to all of those who have made suggestions, I will definately try and look into many of them next time I am in the market for some more tea
And second of all, I dont think my question was strange at all. I dont want tea that is light and delicate, I like it to be more than colored water that barely tastes like anything.
You call me wierd, but I might think drinking tea your way is wierd. Does somthing being the norm/status quo make it not wierd?
Im just saying its silly to judge different tastes/styles of tea drinking. My brother is like most of yall; he likes tea to be light and steeped "properly" at a lower temperture and for a much shorter time than I do mine for.
I think his infusions taste like hot water.
And I also think it foolish to simply tell me to buy cheap low grade leaves so as not to "offend the dignity" (paraphrase) of finer leaves. I see it the other way around: If im going to be steeping for a long time and drawing out alot of flavor, thats all the more reason to buy HIGH quality tea!
I guess what Im trying to say is, "Dont judge me, bro!"
I did not notice anyone calling you weird however. Most of us considered your question on the strange side. That is clearly subjective and our opinion, which we are entitled to. Green teas are generally brewed light. Doesn't make you wrong, however, our comments clearly showed we struggled to understand your motives a little more. You have clarified your question, thanx.
It is very common for a person new to tea to join TeaChat and clearly be doing something wrong, so , more info is helpful to us as we try to help them as well. (we don't know if you are new to tea)
My opinion however is still...I see no point in brewing a fine grade of Long Jing costing maybe 50 bucks per 100 grams to the point of being a dark bitter brew. The flavor is drawn out over the course of several steeps vs. extracting all the flavor in the first steep.
If you do not want tea that is light and delicate, have you tried some of very strong blacks...they can be brewed very dark and very bitter if that is your cup of tea.
But hey, "drink what you like and like what you drink!" We are all friends here, please feel free to join us.
blah blah blah SENCHA blah blah blah!!!
I do indeed enjoy the black teas as well; a strong cup of golden yunnan or 9 bend black dragon tastes pretty sublime and awesome to me, but due to the oxidation and caffiene content, I consider it more of a treat than somthing to enjoy daily like my green teas.
As per the suggestions here, I have invested in a bunch of japanese green teas, I had been drinking exclusivly Chinese greens and have never really bothered with the others.
They arrived at my doorstep today, from Arbor Teas (great company as far as I can tell, completely organic selection)
I got their sencha, 2008 gyokuro (quite excited to oversteep this one haha!) and kukicha, Ill let yall know how it all tastes as I try it. Gotta wait till tommorow though, I already drank a cup of coffee today and Im not looking to be up all night.
As per the suggestions here, I have invested in a bunch of japanese green teas, I had been drinking exclusivly Chinese greens and have never really bothered with the others.
They arrived at my doorstep today, from Arbor Teas (great company as far as I can tell, completely organic selection)
I got their sencha, 2008 gyokuro (quite excited to oversteep this one haha!) and kukicha, Ill let yall know how it all tastes as I try it. Gotta wait till tommorow though, I already drank a cup of coffee today and Im not looking to be up all night.
Just remember to use enough leaves - Ippodos brewing instructions are good starting point http://www.ippodo-tea.co.jp/en/tea/gyokuro_index.html
Re: The most bitter, dark, and astringent green tea?
Edit: I'm a little late. I missed your post above where you said you already purchased some Japanese tea. If caffeine is a problem, the houjicha I mentioned below has very little and it does have a unique flavor.
You should probably try some type of Japanese tea, as they're fussy brewers and you can easily change the taste by varying the brewing parameters. This years Hatsumi from O-Cha.com might do the trick. It's tougher to brew than most and is pretty easy to get a stronger, somewhat bitter taste from. It can be tamed if you choose, but it can also be adjusted the other way just as easily. I like it, but not as much as the other four shincha I tried from the same source.
Matcha is another alternative, as it is by nature somewhat bitter if made with the normal high tea to water ratio. That's why they give you something sweet to eat before they serve you the matcha in the tea ceremony.
Although not bitter, two other Japanese teas that you might find more flavorfull are genmaicha and houjicha. The first is green tea with roasted brown rice (don't laugh, most people I've asked to try this love it) and the latter is roasted green tea which has a much darker color.
I hope this helps.
I think you probably need to rule out Chinese and Taiwanese green teas, as they can be extremely mild.samliketea wrote:The title says it all really, Im just wondering what teas people have expierienced to be strong, dark, bitter, and astringent?
Im looking for the tea that you can really feel in the back of your throat.
I bought Dragonwell from dragonwater.com recently, and while it is tasty and mellow, it brews light and delicate, while I was hoping for somthing with a bit more punch.
My palate simply seems to work this way; I like my coffee black, I prefer dark ales to the light crisp stuff, bitter chocolate, etc, and I am just looking for the green tea for me.
You should probably try some type of Japanese tea, as they're fussy brewers and you can easily change the taste by varying the brewing parameters. This years Hatsumi from O-Cha.com might do the trick. It's tougher to brew than most and is pretty easy to get a stronger, somewhat bitter taste from. It can be tamed if you choose, but it can also be adjusted the other way just as easily. I like it, but not as much as the other four shincha I tried from the same source.
Matcha is another alternative, as it is by nature somewhat bitter if made with the normal high tea to water ratio. That's why they give you something sweet to eat before they serve you the matcha in the tea ceremony.
Although not bitter, two other Japanese teas that you might find more flavorfull are genmaicha and houjicha. The first is green tea with roasted brown rice (don't laugh, most people I've asked to try this love it) and the latter is roasted green tea which has a much darker color.
I hope this helps.