Ice brewing and sencha quality

Made from leaves that have not been oxidized.


User avatar
Jun 13th, '08, 01:07
Posts: 2625
Joined: May 31st, '08, 02:44
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Portland, OR
Contact: Geekgirl

Ice brewing and sencha quality

by Geekgirl » Jun 13th, '08, 01:07

I have some crappy sencha (Wild Cherry from the "Mall"vana store.) I'm undecided whether to toss or try to salvage. It's flavored with these very strong cherry bits, but is quite harsh. Maybe it's the way I'm brewing it.

I was thinking of ice brewing. Maybe the sencha will be more mellow, and without heat the cherry pieces shouldn't release so much flavor either. Does ice/cold brewing mellow lower quality sencha? I suppose I'll try it either way, but suggestions would be appreciated.

Jun 13th, '08, 13:12
Posts: 1978
Joined: Jan 14th, '08, 18:01
Location: CA
Contact: Pentox

by Pentox » Jun 13th, '08, 13:12

Personally I wouldn't try it. I've tried ice brewing with some lower grade teas, and it's noticeable. I would venture to say you notice it more than if you were using regular brewing.

I wouldn't suggest it.

User avatar
Jun 13th, '08, 14:16
Posts: 1548
Joined: Jun 8th, '07, 13:00
Location: 3161 A.D.
Contact: Wesli

by Wesli » Jun 13th, '08, 14:16

Temperature of a tea drastically affects the tastes we can find in a tea.
I've noticed cold-brewing makes sencha much more 'vegetal.'

It's worth a try.

User avatar
Jun 13th, '08, 16:21
Posts: 2625
Joined: May 31st, '08, 02:44
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Portland, OR
Contact: Geekgirl

by Geekgirl » Jun 13th, '08, 16:21

I suppose I will go ahead and try it, I'm not expecting anything. :shock: But I don't drink this one hot anyways, because it's just too harsh.

Jul 28th, '08, 21:38
Posts: 281
Joined: Feb 11th, '08, 16:49

by inspectoring » Jul 28th, '08, 21:38

GGU - I tried it with my Miyabi sencha - which is medium grade from itoen - and it is WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!....amazing taste.
Image
To get the ice quantity right - I take the cup (6 oz) and fill it up with water and keep it in the freezer. At night I put the leaves in the pot first and then ice on top of it. It makes an amazing special drink.

I also read somewhere on this forum that at lower temperature, less caffeine is released from the tea leaves. I can't substantiate that claim. Also I am not sure how much you are loosing out on in terms of flavinoids etc.

User avatar
Jul 28th, '08, 21:48
Posts: 2625
Joined: May 31st, '08, 02:44
Scrolling: scrolling
Location: Portland, OR
Contact: Geekgirl

by Geekgirl » Jul 28th, '08, 21:48

I did end up trying the ice brewing with the tea I was speaking of. It was horrid. The tea wasn't worth saving. I dumped it all out, and threw away the rest of that tea. The worst par is that 6 weeks later, the stupid tin still smells like the horrible tea, despite my best efforts. I've tried baking soda, vinegar, airing out, storing black tea (nothing I wanted to drink,) hoping something would absorb that nasty candied cherry odor. No dice. It's a total loss.

How can one tea be so awful? And how on earth did I once think it was good? :(

Jul 28th, '08, 22:51
Posts: 281
Joined: Feb 11th, '08, 16:49

by inspectoring » Jul 28th, '08, 22:51

GeekgirlUnveiled wrote:I did end up trying the ice brewing with the tea I was speaking of. It was horrid. The tea wasn't worth saving. I dumped it all out, and threw away the rest of that tea. The worst par is that 6 weeks later, the stupid tin still smells like the horrible tea, despite my best efforts. I've tried baking soda, vinegar, airing out, storing black tea (nothing I wanted to drink,) hoping something would absorb that nasty candied cherry odor. No dice. It's a total loss.

How can one tea be so awful? And how on earth did I once think it was good? :(
Image
WOW !...now I really want to know where can I get that tea!
Have you tried compressed air can? At the end of the can I usually get all the smell out.

+ Post Reply