The Tea Thread

30 steeps from 1 load of tea in a pot. Which should be consumed consecutively, in one tea making 'event'.
This is based upon keeping the tea and pot warm/hot during the entire tea making process.

And yes you can leave the tea in the pot for ≈ 1 day. But usually it's only about 12-18hrs before I finish off what is in my tea container.
But I wouldn't want to leave the tea in water for more than 1-2 days at most.

As I mentioned Pu Erh is one of if not the most 'concentrated' teas available. So if you aren't into 30 steeps/don't care about not using all of the tea that could be made, then you choices are…
#1 use WAY less tea for a single steep, or
#2 go thru your Pu Erh fairly quickly by not 'extracting' all of the tea from the leaves.

For example, I use 1.5 - 2gms of Pu Erh with 11oz of water when I make my single steep tea.
So, I use a fairly small amount of tea, and I don't pre-wash it, I just add hot water and let it sit for at least 20 minutes before I drink any of it.

A traditional pot (depending upon size) would use ≈ 5-8 (±) gms of tea and go for the 30 steep routine (which usually takes 1hr (or more) of active tea drinking and steeping to complete.

Of course adjusting the ratio of tea to the amount of water can be tailored to your taste, these examples are meant to give you an idea of amounts to start with.

JJ

 

It seems like you're trying to brew pu erh in the traditional or gong fu way, which would be a large ratio of leaf to water, something like 7g to 100mL of water. That would allow for the super short infusion times. But, for a normal cup or pot of tea, you'd want to just do it the western way, which is a roughly standard amount (3g per 8oz is a good starting point) and steeping for a few minutes. It's still good to give pu erh a quick wash for a couple seconds before starting the actual brew. Check out this link for more information about the differences in the steep methods.

For the pu erhs I have, I just do it Western style. I've got a gaiwan and I have brewed in the gong fu style before, but most of the time it's too much effort and too much time to dedicate to drinking tea, since it requires multiple tiny infusions and drinking small amounts over a more extended period of time.

 

Just found this thread and got put in my place a little. I used to think I was "into tea" but really was just scratching the surface. I knew about matcha grades, and I would love to try some of that 100+ year old tea but I need a "cheap" hobby.

My daily morning sipper is Bromley black tea, 100 bags for a few bucks and IMHO it beats the other grocery store regulars by a country mile. When I feel less lazy i have a variety of things i that i grabbed from Adagio. Brigadoon which is a smokey, malty scottish black tea. A hazelnut strawberry "pu erh", and a few other chai selections.

Ill check out TenRen too. I recognize the boxes from my coworkers desks, many of which traveled back and forth and had family in China. I look forward to trying their Jasmine.

@johnjen thank you for all the knowledge so far

 

TenRen is great, had a great time with their oolong and ding dong. I loved the pearl style rolled teas.
Nothing beats getting tea local, especially if you can have a tasting session


I got this one recently on a trip to Seattle. its a generic(?) brand from what I can tell but it is great.
https://vtlseattle.com/yunnan-afar-pu-erh-cake-ripe-dark-2008-production/

While Im working on my "review" it is very floral almost a mouth wash sensation. The one I got from the online shop was better than the one at the shop(maybe a humidity thing). I still miss that tea pot mouth feel.

as I was told sometimes people have a different experience in mind.

I don't want to suggest any vendors but
Wu Mountain Tea and Farmer Leaf seem the most interesting as they live where they tea is processed or they do it themselves.

This video can be applied to any review in any hobby

 

Tea to me is awesome, my favorite drink by far.
I don't consider myself Baizuo but im close enough.

I think a temperature controllable kettle is a great choice and nearly a must have. I tried the Amazon Chefman Electric and it is so flimsy, I would assume the amazon warehouse costs more than the product, an utter disappointment.

Now with the fellow it is a bit better but it isn't revolutionary it just looks nice. I dont see how they cost more than the previous model, I would have really liked for the 2 switches on the original. I see myself trying different temperatures a lot. just the option of flipping a switch and being in freedom units or celsiuswould be nice, the studio is about 5 clicks and 2 rotations in the wrong direction everytime.

Now for the sound, I mean the taste.
Green tea at the right temperature and the right steep time is so good. Its very full and sweet, a little malty and multilayered. One of the main reasons to try a multiple steep method.

one tea that I think would get a lot of people hooked is
this AA Jin Jun Mei Fujian gifted to me by @skem
I got a golden monkey too, but the Jun Mei is so simple it has been in my rotation since it has arrived.

last I would like to try any fresh green or a fruit stuffed. In my previous post I had picked up a Long Jing and would like to taste the hype of an early spring.