I prepare Sencha Yutaka Midori the following way : right after the water reaches the boiling point (90C/194F ) I pour 250ml/8 ounces of water into an empty Tokoname teapot (a 320ml/11oz Tokoname ) to pre-warm the teapot and then I immediately pour the water from the teapot into two small tea cups. I put one tea spoon of tea leaves (about 6/5 grams) into the pre- warmed teapot and immediately pour back the water from the 2 tea cups into the teapot (expecting that the water's temperature has dropped now to 70-71C/160F) After 90 seconds (sometimes after 2 minutes) I pour the tea into the cups.
I understand that when I pour the boiling water from the kettle into the teapot ,then from the teapot into the tea cups and back into the teapot I cool down the water but since I do not use a digital thermometer I am not sure if it is enough to get the water from 90C to 71/70C ? Should I do this process only once or several times and with or without waiting between pouring the water from the teapot to the cups and back to the teapot, to get the boiling water to 71/70C ?
Thank you in advance.
There isn't any rules: temperature drops depend on many factors: room temperature, teaware shape and material.
You could use a thermometer to verify if your brewing routine gets actually the desired temperature. It doesn't mean you will always have to use your thermometer.
But if your tea tastes right the way you are brewing it, just go on with your brewing routine.
You could use a thermometer to verify if your brewing routine gets actually the desired temperature. It doesn't mean you will always have to use your thermometer.
But if your tea tastes right the way you are brewing it, just go on with your brewing routine.
Jan 10th, '09, 10:13
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Hi Ummaya, welcome to TeaChat. I moved your topic to Green Tea where it will be more at home and receive better particpation as well.
Your practice seems sound and traditional. Unless you use a thermometer, you will never know what temp the water is. You might want to try it a few times with one, just to see where you are at, temp wise. I tend to use one routinely with Japanese greens, Yutaka Midori is my all time fave, BTW.
I tend to use a cooling pitcher instead of pouring into cups since I can check the temp easier.
One thing you reallllly need to try! We have been discussing this as of late actually. After you put the leaf in the preheated pot, smell it in a few seconds. YM gives off a heavenly aroma as the dry leaf warms. Give it a try! But be prepared, it will blow your mind. Check out the one topic by clicking HERE!
Your practice seems sound and traditional. Unless you use a thermometer, you will never know what temp the water is. You might want to try it a few times with one, just to see where you are at, temp wise. I tend to use one routinely with Japanese greens, Yutaka Midori is my all time fave, BTW.
I tend to use a cooling pitcher instead of pouring into cups since I can check the temp easier.
One thing you reallllly need to try! We have been discussing this as of late actually. After you put the leaf in the preheated pot, smell it in a few seconds. YM gives off a heavenly aroma as the dry leaf warms. Give it a try! But be prepared, it will blow your mind. Check out the one topic by clicking HERE!
Jan 10th, '09, 10:14
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Joined: Sep 24th, '08, 18:38
Location: Boston, MA
I believe the best way to get good brewing temperature is getting familiar with your stove/electric kettle, tea ware, room, and of course your tea. That's just what you are doing now. Eventually you can get good brewing temperature without noticing what the temperature exactly is 
If you really need to lower the water temperature in a short time, you can try to transfer water in an empty kettle container and pour it out. In this process, water temperature will be lowered by around 10-15C. Or you can let the teapot lid tilted, and pour water on the rim of the lid and let water flow in. This can lower the temperature by a few C.
If you really need to lower the water temperature in a short time, you can try to transfer water in an empty kettle container and pour it out. In this process, water temperature will be lowered by around 10-15C. Or you can let the teapot lid tilted, and pour water on the rim of the lid and let water flow in. This can lower the temperature by a few C.
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I need help on brewing time and amount of tea per cup? Pleas
I have a blend tea called "Wild" It has 30% Forest Berries a Flavor tea
30% Blackberry Another flavor tea & 40% White Blueberry white tea.
Can you please tell me the time of brewing and how much tea per cup Please.
30% Blackberry Another flavor tea & 40% White Blueberry white tea.
Can you please tell me the time of brewing and how much tea per cup Please.
I have one of those Zojirushi electric kettles, and always set it at 196 F.
Here's what I do to get my water for approximate Sencha brewing temp:
Prepare 2 yuzamashi (water coolers - i use my measuring cups).
Pour water into 1 yuzamashi. Then pour it into the other. Then transfer that into the kyusu (warmed and with tea leaves).
If I'm prepping for Gyokuro, I would pour it back into the otehr yuzamashi again before putting it in the kyusu.
Here's what I do to get my water for approximate Sencha brewing temp:
Prepare 2 yuzamashi (water coolers - i use my measuring cups).
Pour water into 1 yuzamashi. Then pour it into the other. Then transfer that into the kyusu (warmed and with tea leaves).
If I'm prepping for Gyokuro, I would pour it back into the otehr yuzamashi again before putting it in the kyusu.