Could be a couple things ...
Could be the filter by removing the scale has made your water less hard. There is always debate as to whether hard vs soft is best. Possibly the filter has removed flavorful minerals as well. You could try side by side tasting with it and without it?
Another possibility is that your mind is playing games with you. Sometimes anticipation can create too high of an expectation. I have had this occur with tea.
Your tastebuds could be out of whack, or your sense of smell which also affects perceived taste.
Or perhaps your tea has faded a bit, I can notice little changes in freshness of Japanese teas. Proper storage and timely use of your open Japanese teas is crucial, but you did just open them last week? Should not be this.
Thanks for such a quick reply Chip- It's Ocha gyo that I opened maybe two weeks ago at best?? and I've been careful to open the tin just long enough to measure out leaf- and the tin is one from Ocha.
Could be the anticipation esp after my phenomenal session with YM yesterday- but my tastes are fine for all other foods drinks. I think I'll try it with tap water to see and up the leaf a bit. I don't want to waste it and that's three medicore sessions in a row
Could be the anticipation esp after my phenomenal session with YM yesterday- but my tastes are fine for all other foods drinks. I think I'll try it with tap water to see and up the leaf a bit. I don't want to waste it and that's three medicore sessions in a row