Green Tea Forum

Ryanfrizz · Posted: Sep 08, 2008 3:17 am Post subject: Yutaka Midori 2nd infusion

When brewing a 2nd infusion of Yutaka Midori, I've noticed that the tea is, for lack of a better word, "cloudy" due to all of the little tea bits in the tea. I have two questions about this:

1: Is this normal to have this much bits of tea in the cup?
2: Do the little tea bits continue steeping while in the cup, because I've noticed the 2nd steep to be slightly bitter when i reach the last half of the cup of tea.

PS- I brew the second infusion maybe 4 minutes after i brew the 1st infusion and let it steep for like 2 seconds, at about 165F

PSS- my teapot is Tokoname Teapot KI302

-Ryan

greenisgood · Black Belt Joined: 20 Jan 2008 Posts: 116

Yutaka Midori can probably be considered a "fukamushi" sencha which means its deep steemed. As I understand steaming the leaves for longer in the processing makes the leaves break into smaller pieces (hence why Yutaka Midori tea leaves are smaller in the package than Kabusecha for example). The cloudiness is due to the smaller leaves and "bits of tea" that are too small to strain and as I've noticed with most teas, this is most apparent in the second steep for some reason. I haven't noticed that the little bits make the tea bitter in the cup but the second steep for fukamushi senchas is usually strong flavored and many people reccomend pouring the tea right away (with no steep time). If the green cloudiness bugs you (I personally think its kind of interesting and unique) I would reccommend getting a sencha that is more light steamed or asamushi. It will have a different flavor but will usually be clear and yellowish green when brewed.

okimasa · Posted: Sep 08, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject:

Yeah, I like that green "cloudiness" too, its such an intense green, I think its really stunning.