I was trying to find a thread to answer my question but I was having a hard time finding specific threads for it.
Anyways I remember reading that one should have their 2nd steep or 3rd and so on within a couple of hours the first. I also remember chip saying something about steeping with his leaves are still warm.
So could someone give me some info on what their suggestions on the time line of enjoying multiple steeps within the 1st steep. Also if you're suggesting a couple of hours within the first steep, where do you keep the used leaves till that 2nd steep?
Dec 12th, '08, 10:51
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It is interesting actually, if I am having sencha for instance, the leaves never cool, I brew til I am basically done with that tea. 5 steeps in row, basically. And done in 30 minutes on average.
Oolong, I can approach more casually it seems, take my time with it, often coming back to it hours later or even overnight. But I will still do the first 2-3 steeps pretty much in a row.
I think on some level I realized that the greener leaf teas might not hold up to sitting in a pot for several hours, losing some of their deep flavor, especially steamed green teas.
Oolongs seem more tolerant to sitting, being more oxidized perhaps, but Silver Needle white can hold up very well to sitting, maybe because it is a closed bud?
Oolong, I can approach more casually it seems, take my time with it, often coming back to it hours later or even overnight. But I will still do the first 2-3 steeps pretty much in a row.
I think on some level I realized that the greener leaf teas might not hold up to sitting in a pot for several hours, losing some of their deep flavor, especially steamed green teas.
Oolongs seem more tolerant to sitting, being more oxidized perhaps, but Silver Needle white can hold up very well to sitting, maybe because it is a closed bud?
I have a cute glass tea pot w/ a strainer in the top that I got from shopdrtea. I have a fear (maybe a crazy one) of the tea leaves getting moldy so I spread them out on a glass plate to dry. I use them within the same day unless it's a dessert tea at nite. Then I save them til the next nite, extending the steeping time 1 min per extra infusion.
http://www.ujicha.com/shouhokuen%20page ... eck-f.html , check out this test, it teaches you how to brew sencha, DO NOT LEAVE THE LEAVES IN THE POT for a long period of time, you must enjoy consecutive brews.