Resteeping Issue

[alieb413]

Although tea experts say sencha leaves can be steeped 3 times, I am never able to get more than 2 good steepings. By the third time, the tea has color but tastes like nothing. Am I doing something wrong? I steep for around 2 minutes the first time and 3 the second at around 180 degrees using a ceramic tea pot. I use a teaspoon of leaves for a 6 oz cup of tea. I do tend to like my tea strong, so maybe this is more about my taste than it is about my process of brewing?

Thanks for your help!

[Chip]

first steep will vary depending on the sencha, 30-120 seconds
2nd, only 10-20 seconds usually, you might be zapping all the flavor brewing too long
3rd, 60 seconds
... I go to 5 increasing time and temp each time. 5th steep can be boiling water!

Welcome to the forum!

[teaisme]

What kind of tea ,what kind of teaspoon?

Maybe 10 degrees lower for 1 min on first infusion (expect a lighter but tasty 'introduction')
Then 1 min at 180 for second (many would recommend even lower time but you said you like it strong, plus I get feeling maybe not enough leaf in your pot for a tasty short infusion)
3rd: smell leaf, look at it, if it is very weak looking/smelling then go for 200
if not then 190 , steeped for 3-8 mins

That should get you 3 good infusions with what you are working with.

If this doesn't work and tea is stilll too weak for you, maybe you need more leaf.

[Kevangogh]

It's highly dependent on which tea you are using. There are some which will give you only one really good infusion, just depends.

[Chip]

It's highly dependent on which tea you are using. There are some which will give you only one really good infusion, just depends.

But O-Cha's will give you 5 or more if you want them.

Even the Hatsumi which is likely my least fave of the bunch, I actually am stunned how sweet the 3rd - 5th steep can be.

Chip
TeaDrinking O-Cha "shill"...........

[brad4419]

first steep will vary depending on the sencha, 30-120 seconds
2nd, only 10-20 seconds usually, you might be zapping all the flavor brewing too long
3rd, 60 seconds
... I go to 5 increasing time and temp each time. 5th steep can be boiling water!

Welcome to the forum!

Wow Chip, Im going to try this next time I have sencha. I've had a similar problem as alieb413.

I have been doing 1min for 1st then 2min and increase about 1 minute per infusion and I have noticed I only get about 2 "good" infusions.

Also Alieb413, what temp. is your first infusion? If its too high maybe it takes too much flavor out in your first and second infusion.

[alieb413]

Thank you all for your helpful answers. I will try lowering the temperature for my first step and also using a little more leaf. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again.

[clareandromeda]

I reaaaaallly up the time for the 3rd steep on, usually 5 min plus.