Green Tea Forum

Hebing · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

I know that it varies on how I like the taste, but I have a question about how I brew my Sencha.
I have the Tokoname leaf teapot, and I start by putting one heaping teaspoon of sencha in the empty tea pot (I use an American size teaspoon) then I pour 8 oz of 165 degrees water into the pot. Then brew for two minutes. I thoroughly enjoy the tea, but I am new to sencha. Is my method correct?

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

Hi,

It's correct, almost. The thing you have to consider is that if you put 165F water into a cold teapot, the temperature will drop at least 10 degrees. Another way, the way I do it, is to pour hotter water into the teapot first, then into the cups, drain the teapot, add the leaves, add the water from the cups back into the teapot. All of this movement of the water from one vessel to another drops the temperature and also warms the cups and teapot. You start off with hotter water, but cool it down.

There will be a taste difference between 165F and 175F, it will be a bit more astringent and bitter at higher temps. Find the temperature and system that tastes best for you.

Chip · Posted: Apr 02, 2007 1:24 am Post subject:

The higher temp will also bring out a more aromatic cup of tea, while the cooler water will make a sweeter less aromatic cup. I lean towards hotter water for most sencha since I am a huge fan of the aroma. 168-176 for the first infusion depending on which sencha I am brewing. But, yes, this will be a bit more astringent...I guess I like that, too.

Also, for successive infusions with the same leaves, I generally increase temp with each steep. If I get to 4 or 5 steeps with a sencha, I will not hesitate to use boiling water for these last steeps with generally positive results. It seems boiling water is needed to extract the last bit of flavor still in the leaves.

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

I brew 5 ounces of tea at a time. My method is as follows: I boil the premeasured water, and then bring it over to my teapot. I pour the water into the teapot and then into a pyrex cup. Next step is put the tea into the teapot and finally pour the water from the pryex cup back into the teapot. Via this method, the water is always just about right for sencha, (165F to 170F) *If you brew with more water, the water may not cool off as fast and you might need even an additional vessel in the chain leading up to the teapot*

As far as temperature, I find the above perfect for a 2 minute steep. If you steep it shorter, only then do I feel you can get away with a higher steeping temperature. Otherwise, 175 and above will probably make your tea on the bitter side. But, if you're using less leaf than the standard 5 grams per 8 ounces, then maybe not.

RichardThrower · Uh, Can I Add Sugar? Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 10

I have always been kinda concerned with brewing my tea at anything higher than what my thermometer say is about 140 degrees (and allowing it to steep for 3 to 5 mins since it is at a cooler temperature.). I have always heard tha higher temps can burn and end up destroying the antioxidants that Green Tea contain, and bascially leave you with a greenish cup of water.

140, as per my theremometer, has alway brought out a very fragant sweet cup of tea. However, if anyone has any input on if I should brew at a higher temp it would be very helpful.

Thank you,
Richard

Chip · Posted: Apr 02, 2007 3:19 pm Post subject:

Ryan · Sensei Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 475

Hi Richard,

Actually, I don't buy that at all. On the contrary, I think the hotter temperatures would, if anything, extract the antioxidants more efficiently.

I've read much on tea, from various sources. I've *never* come across any source saying cooler water is better for extraction. However, I have come across one site which says hotter temperature is better.

And, one site, for oolong said don't use boiling water, let it cool for a few moments as the boiling water will destroy some of the medicinal value. So, 200 instead of 212? But, the temperatures for green tea?! I do not buy it in the least. And in fact, I do entertain the argument that the hotter temperatures extract more efficiently.

Moreover, I would never steep sencha below 160F.... For me, I do not see enjoying the full array of wonderful flavors below that.

Hebing · White Belt Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

Thanks everyone!

Dave