Why does my jasmine oolong sometimes taste funny?

[Deleted User #16351]

OK, I freely admit I'm fairly new to loose-leaf tea and not really a connoisseur...

I've been enjoying the Jasmine #5 and Jasmine #9 Oolong teas, but I find the quality of the tea I brew highly variable. Sometimes it's wonderful. Sometimes it tastes vaguely like I'd steeped it using dirty laundry. (Not that I've ever tried steeping tea using dirty laundry, it's just the only way I can think of to describe the flavor.)

What could I be doing wrong? Steeping it too long, water too hot, water too cold...?

For what it's worth, I use variable-temperature kettles (with the Adagio kettle, I heat the water to the "green" range) and generally steep the tea in a tea-steeping basket when I'm at home an in a disposable infuser bag when I'm at work.

[kymidwife]

Are you using a timer? I'd try with decreasing steep times alittle and see how that affects the taste. Also, could the quality of the water be different between work and home? I notice a difference between the 3 main locations where I brew tea, although its not serious enough to push me into buying bottled water yet.

Sarah

P.S. Just realized this was your first post... welcome to TeaChat!

[hop_goblin]

because it has jasmine flowers in it.

[xuancheng]

I would try using hotter water. I always brew Oolong teas with boiling water. You might want to experiment with with not quite boiling as well, especially for a greener oolong.

[Victoria]

because it has jasmine flowers in it.

That is a right-on statement. Funny, but true. With additives in tea you
never know how they are going to react. I have really gotten away from
most things scented or flavored. However I am finding that if you want to
really experience a good floral tea, then start with high quality tea and add
your own florals to it.

[hop_goblin]

because it has jasmine flowers in it.

That is a right-on statement. Funny, but true. With additives in tea you
never know how they are going to react. I have really gotten away from
most things scented or flavored. However I am finding that if you want to
really experience a good floral tea, then start with high quality tea and add
your own florals to it.

Exactly, you also have to remember, that if the company knows they will be adding scent, they can get away with using the most inferior of teas.

Good point Vic

[Chip]

However, if a Jasmine is authentically scented the tradtional way by layering jasmine flowers among quality leaf such as Yin Hao during oxidation, it can be quite nice. And Jasmine Dragon Pearls are amazing, again when authentically scented with flowers. Whenever I have had a commercially spray scented jasmine, I could not even get it past my nose to my mouth. Bleh.

Not sure what the problem is in the OP's situation.

[hop_goblin]

However, if a Jasmine is authentically scented the tradtional way by layering jasmine flowers among quality leaf such as Yin Hao during oxidation, it can be quite nice. And Jasmine Dragon Pearls are amazing, again when authentically scented with flowers. Whenever I have had a commercially spray scented jasmine, I could not even get it past my nose to my mouth. Bleh.

Not sure what the problem is in the OP's situation.

Very true chip. My comments were primarly directed to crappy stuff comes in a golden tin

[Chip]

Very true chip. My comments were primarly directed to crappy stuff comes in a golden tin

I wonder if I had that too. I got it in a square red can and a square goldish can from a Vietnamese grocery store. The stuff was truly the most vile tea I think I ever had. Impossible to brew.

[hop_goblin]

Very true chip. My comments were primarly directed to crappy stuff comes in a golden tin

I wonder if I had that too. I got it in a square red can and a square goldish can from a Vietnamese grocery store. The stuff was truly the most vile tea I think I ever had. Impossible to brew.

You got it! Like lawn clippings with old lady's perfume sprinkled all over it!