Green Tea Forum

zenman · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

I drink a lot of tea at work and was wondering if it is possible to drink gyokuro from the hot water tap on my poland springs water bottle container at work? It is hot and on cups without a handle are very hard to hold. I have found though that the gyokuro tastes more like water than tea. Am I doing something wrong or is it that I cannot drink the tea brewed this way? I hope I can brew the tea this way and it is only a matter of me tweaking my procedures to get a good cup of tea.Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

okimasa · Posted: Apr 20, 2008 5:54 am Post subject:

I'm not really an expert at gyokuro, but I do know you use a lot more leaf then you would for sencha or some other teas. Also, water temperature is lower (I think about 60C or 150F... although I'm not sure if my conversion to ferenheit in my head is correct).

O-Cha has a good article on gyokuro, it should tell you what you need to know. http://www.o-cha.com/brewing-gyokuro.htm

By the way, are you using those paper cups?! No wonder its hot in your hands! You are a trooper! Very Happy

Chip · Posted: Apr 20, 2008 6:14 am Post subject:

Water temp is really critical with gyokuro.

If you did not want to use a thermometer regularly, I would still suggest doing a couple test runs with one.

Most of the hot water taps like you speak of run around 175* (I have asked the service tech). It can be hotter, but it is usually not set higher due to people burning themselves.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Oni · 2nd Degree Black Belt Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 187

Next time someone would ask if he could brew gyokuro with sparkling water, gyokuro is precious give it the attention it requires and brew like it was ment to be brewed

zenman · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

I use a traditional teacup with no handles. Maybe my problem is I am not using enough gyokuro. I had the same problem at home with not enough tealeaves in my teapot. It tasted like water. Even after 10 minutes steep time.

The water is poland springs water so I would imagine it is a pretty good quality.At home I have well water so that is pretty good too. Plus I filter it at my faucet.

okimasa · Posted: Apr 22, 2008 7:57 am Post subject:

zenman · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

I mostly use eden kukicha,hujicha,sencha,genmaicha in bags at work. I suppose I should save the good stuff for home.It would be nice to be able to enjoy it at work though.Matcha seems to brew rather well using this method. As a matter of fact the water coming off the tap actually causes it to froth so I do not have to whisk it.