Green Tea Forum

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 22, 2007 6:01 am Post subject: Amount of Gyokuro to be used

I'm a new comer to Gyokuro and love it very much. I have a 16 ounce teapot and I've been using approximately 3 TEASPOONS of Gyokuro. It tastes amazing! The other day I re-read the instructions that come with the order from O-cha and notices that it specified 2 TABLESPOONS for every 4-6 ounces of water. That would mean my 16 ounce teapot would need about 4 TABLESPOONS of tea. So I tried brewing 4 TABLESPOONS at 140 degrees for 3 minutes. The tea was very bitter and undrinkable. Am I doing something wrong. I verified the temp with a digital thermometer and timed it with a digital timer. The pot was pre-heated.

Chip · Posted: Mar 22, 2007 7:48 am Post subject:

This is why I always use a digital scale...teaspoons and tablespoons are too hard for my feable mind to comprehend. I have to admire people who can use such primitive instruments hysterical

and turn out great tea...I have never mastered this. I think I am more like a sensing scientist vs. an intuitive tea master.

For me though...I like the consistancy of using a scale. This way I will know exactly how much to use every time...heheh...once I figure out the exact weight to use.

But it is a personal preference...

Kevangogh · Forum God Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 926 Location: Japan

For gyokuro, I am also using a digital scale these days. For gyokuro I use 10 grams of leaf in 275ml~300ml of water, turns out really good.

These days I am finding myself drinking the new Asa-Giri a lot.

Chip · Posted: Mar 22, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject:

...or 6.5-7 grams per 200 ml...which is actually the exact same ratio...

It was hard for me to make this leap...going from 4-4.5 grams for sencha...this was a scary jump.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

I use a gram per ounce for Gyokuro at 140F. First steep 2 minutes and 10 seconds. If I was to use more leaf I would have to either take the time steeped down or lower the temperature. But I find my ratio works pretty well. And I like using the higher end of the temperature scale (that being 140F) as opposed to the lower end (around 122F) because the cup will be measurably hotter.

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 29, 2007 1:48 am Post subject: Looks like it's time for a scale

Looks like I need to invest in a scale. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good scale for green tea? Analog or Digital? Brands?

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Ebay has a store in which I see them posted at the very cheapest. I use a small one. Most importantly, make sure it measure 0.1 of a gram.

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:36 am Post subject: Digital Scale

This seems like the one to get. I did a bunch of research. It seems there are many scales out there that don't last long and aren't very accurate. This company has a good track record. This particular scale weighs to the 1/2 gram. I'm thinking that should be pretty accurate for an obessive tea fanatic like myself. Should come in handy in the kitchen for other cooking as well.

Anyone one have one of these? The My Weigh iBalance 2500

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=36

Chip · Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:39 am Post subject:

...this may be better...more precise...to .1 gram.

http://www.rightonscales.com/web/120z.htm

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:45 am Post subject:

A little more expensive, but what do you think about this one?

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=145

Chip · Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

Personally, when I was looking for a scale for individual tea servings, I wanted resolution to .1 gram or better...mine is .05 gram resolution...

Right on scales has many to choose from...and you can compare to other sites and ebay if you choose to...

But I would not want .5 gram resolution. To give you one reason, I use 4.25 grams sencha leaf per serving for most sencha. .5 gram resolution would not tell me anything but 4 or 4.5 grams.

Just my thoughts since you asked.

stealth162 · Posted: Mar 30, 2007 11:59 am Post subject:

Which scale are you using if you don't mind me asking?

Seems like this one would be good, but we're talking some cash at $100-

http://www.rightonscales.com/web/i1200.htm

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Here is the scale I use. I've had it for a long time and never any problems. Just don't ever drop the scale.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MY-WEIGH-300-Z-DIGITAL-POCKET-SCALE-JEWELRY-SCALES-SLVR_W0QQitemZ200094329678QQcategoryZ34088QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This is small, but I love it. I take a small paper plate and fold it in a certain way. Then I place it on the scale and when I have enough tea I just slide the tea into the teapot.

You may not need to use a paper plate, but it's just the way I do it.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

By the way, I bought my scale from www.rightonscales.com but if I buy another scale, frankly, I will look for a place on ebay... They have better deals. I would also seek out the most reliable seller on ebay.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Though I haven't checked the latest deals on rightonscales.com might be pretty comparable these days.