I'm new here and was wondering if there were any special considerations when preparing tea at altitude? I used the forum's search function, but didn't see anything. I know water boils at a lower temperature and I'm not sure if and what adjustments I need to make in the amount of tea used, water temperature, steeping time, etc.
I'm new to loose-leaf tea, tend more towards the Japanese teas so far, probably like my tea on the stronger end of the spectrum and am at about 7.2k feet or so.
Thanks in advance!
Feb 11th, '09, 00:32
Posts: 344
Joined: Jan 23rd, '08, 00:59
Location: Williamsburg, VA
Hi Topmounter! Here is a link I found: http://www.ehow.com/how_4514614_brew-te ... itude.html Sounds to me like you just need to play with it until you find a flavor that is pleasing to you....I noticed in this link it says to pour the water over teh tea while it is ata rolling boil....at normal elevation you dont pour boiling water over green teas...you want to let the water cool a bit...I would just experiment with small batches of tea trying different techniques until you find the right combo!
-Nick
-Nick
Thanks for the reply... I've been using a thermometer and the hottest I can get the water out of the kettle is 180F... which is about 10 degrees lower than the calculated boiling point for this altitude.
When making coffee, I usually pour the water at a rolling boil into a cone filter which can get a little messy sometimes due to some splashing. However I haven't noticed any negative effects on the flavor.
I have an electric dispensing pot in storage that I'm going to try once I get moved into my new place.
When making coffee, I usually pour the water at a rolling boil into a cone filter which can get a little messy sometimes due to some splashing. However I haven't noticed any negative effects on the flavor.
I have an electric dispensing pot in storage that I'm going to try once I get moved into my new place.
I'm at about 4300ft and I make green tea the same as normal. Luckily green tea doesn't require very hot water, so you should not have to alter your brewing at all. For green tea you want you water around 160-170F.
Here I measure my water at around 190F off of boil after being poured into a measuring cup. So accounting for the cup absorbing some of the heat I imagine my water only gets to around 200F.
When it comes to teas that require higher temperatures around 190F+ then it might help if you warm your pot(which you should always do) so that you lose less heat when you pour your water for brewing.
Here I measure my water at around 190F off of boil after being poured into a measuring cup. So accounting for the cup absorbing some of the heat I imagine my water only gets to around 200F.
When it comes to teas that require higher temperatures around 190F+ then it might help if you warm your pot(which you should always do) so that you lose less heat when you pour your water for brewing.
Hello there fellow Coloradoan!!
I live at about 6100 ft. and I never use a rolling boil on teas, especially greens. I shoot for about 160-170 degrees, depending on the type. But I never use boiling water for any tea. In fact, when at sea level and drinking a hot beverage I often burn my tongue and wonder how anyone can drink something so scalding hot.
Also... longer cook time for pastas too.
I live at about 6100 ft. and I never use a rolling boil on teas, especially greens. I shoot for about 160-170 degrees, depending on the type. But I never use boiling water for any tea. In fact, when at sea level and drinking a hot beverage I often burn my tongue and wonder how anyone can drink something so scalding hot.
Also... longer cook time for pastas too.
I'm in the sensitive mouth club as well 
I require more cooling of my tea and coffee than most folks.
I'm finding that the nice thing about loose-leaf tea is that it is very easy and inexpensive to experiment with different temperatures and steep times... at least it is when using a single cup and infuser.
I require more cooling of my tea and coffee than most folks.I'm finding that the nice thing about loose-leaf tea is that it is very easy and inexpensive to experiment with different temperatures and steep times... at least it is when using a single cup and infuser.