Time between infusions?

[kindablue]

First time poster here, hello.

How long do you normally wait between infusions? I have some of the Suimei Gyokuro and I like to make two cups over an 8 hour work day. So that often means leaving the tea leaves sitting in the pot for a good 4-5 hours before another infusion.

Does that ruin the quality/taste or is that normal?

[olivierco]

I usually don't wait between infusions.
4-5 hours seems to me quite a long time for gyokuro, even if you drain the teapot.
I guess the only way to know is to experiment.

[silverneedles]

Hello kindablue

...did you notice any difference?

[Chip]

First time poster here, hello.

How long do you normally wait between infusions? I have some of the Suimei Gyokuro and I like to make two cups over an 8 hour work day. So that often means leaving the tea leaves sitting in the pot for a good 4-5 hours before another infusion.

Does that ruin the quality/taste or is that normal?

Making Gyokuro wait for 4-5 hours between the 1st and 2nd steep would make me feel kindablue, perhaps this is why you chose this name?

I try to save gyokuro for a time when this will not happen and I can focus on this precious leaf. Very rarely does my gyokuro leaf even cool between steeps ... all the way up to the 4th or 5th steep.

Thus I recommend choosing the right time to enjoy it instead of making do with brief periods when you can squeeeze it in.

[kindablue]

Well, the flavor was a little less intense than the first try, but I don't know if that's because that's just the nature of the second infusion, or if my steep time was too short (30s as opposed to the initial 90s).

So, it didn't taste off really. I'm just wondering if I could be achieving two awesome cups from the same leaves as opposed to one awesome cup and one sort of okay cup.

[kindablue]

First time poster here, hello.

How long do you normally wait between infusions? I have some of the Suimei Gyokuro and I like to make two cups over an 8 hour work day. So that often means leaving the tea leaves sitting in the pot for a good 4-5 hours before another infusion.

Does that ruin the quality/taste or is that normal?

Making Gyokuro wait for 4-5 hours between the 1st and 2nd steep would make me feel kindablue, perhaps this is why you chose this name?

I try to save gyokuro for a time when this will not happen and I can focus on this precious leaf. Very rarely does my gyokuro leaf even cool between steeps ... all the way up to the 4th or 5th steep.

Thus I recommend choosing the right time to enjoy it instead of making do with brief periods when you can squeeeze it in.

Ah, well that's useful. Thanks for the tip. And no, the name is an homage to the classic Miles Davis album, Kind of Blue

[kindablue]

Now, is there another green tea where you would wait 4-5 hours between infusions?

Or at least, that 4-5 hours between infusions would be acceptable.

[Chip]

I would try sencha for this if you like Japanese greens.

There are others, but gyokuro is considered "special."

How big are your steeps? Anoother possibility is smaller steeps and you might be able to enjoy more of them in one sitting.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

[kindablue]

I would try sencha for this if you like Japanese greens.

There are others, but gyokuro is considered "special."

How big are your steeps? Anoother possibility is smaller steeps and you might be able to enjoy more of them in one sitting.

BTW, welcome to the forum!

Thanks! That is true - my steeps are about 8 oz. I have some of Den's Guricha, too. Perhaps that should be more of my everyday thing but I just can't get enough gyokuro. I'm one of those people that hated it until I brewed it correctly and now can't drink anything else. What a great way to lose tons of cash.

[olivierco]

Thanks! That is true - my steeps are about 8 oz.

How much leaf do you use for 8 oz?

[kindablue]

Thanks! That is true - my steeps are about 8 oz.

How much leaf do you use for 8 oz?

1.5 tsp - comes out really well on the first infusion. I've read that I should use more, but I figured if that much makes me happy, then I should just go with it, right? Do you think it's the leaf amount affecting the second infusion?

[Chip]

Good gyokuro done right is mind blowing. I am one who likes to enjoy it less frequently, maybe 2 +/- times per week, but done right ... I fear getting "used to it."

The Guricha would be a much better choice if you must wait between steeps imho.

It is also OK to semi "English brew" guricha and have one (or 2) steeps, vs using more leaf and 3-5 steeps. You can start a fresh batch each time.

The more you talk, the more it seems suited to your needs?

[olivierco]

1.5 tsp - comes out really well on the first infusion. I've read that I should use more, but I figured if that much makes me happy, then I should just go with it, right? Do you think it's the leaf amount affecting the second infusion?

I usually use 2g leaf per oz for top gyokuro and go to 1g per oz with lesser quality gyokuro.

[Chip]

1.5 tsp - comes out really well on the first infusion. I've read that I should use more, but I figured if that much makes me happy, then I should just go with it, right? Do you think it's the leaf amount affecting the second infusion?

I usually use 2g leaf per oz for top gyokuro and go to 1g per oz with lesser quality gyokuro.

Ditto ...

[kindablue]

I guess I'll have to try that. My fear is it'll be even better and then my wallet will really be doomed. I think I'll have to try drinking Guricha daily. I understand that Den's is well-liked. Is there another kind you guys recommend?