Green Tea Questions

Feb 25, 2009 02:12

First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone who commented on my last post. I got a lot of very helpful replies, and am now on my way to enjoying rooibos. <3 ( Read more... )

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Comments 17

moreteadk February 25 2009, 08:31:15 UTC
Sounds to me like you did it right. I'd use a slightly higher temperature water myself, though, unless that was the temperature given on the box. I tend to go for around 175F. (Or I used to before my thermometer broke. Now I just boil and wait five minutes ( ... )

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wildvision February 25 2009, 08:51:32 UTC
I wasn't sure about the temperature, because I've seen people recommending anything from 150-180 degrees; so I picked something in the middle. That's why I was thinking of going hotter. (And the box actually said boiling water, but I knew that wasn't right ( ... )

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moreteadk February 25 2009, 09:06:16 UTC
You inspired me. Went and made me a cup of (oversteeped because I nearly forgot it) green ( ... )

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wildvision February 26 2009, 08:38:42 UTC
Hope you enjoyed it. <3 I always hate when companies just put whatever on the box; then I'm left wondering if I should brew as I think right, or do what they suggest. Y'know, like is there a reason for that, or are they just clueless? =P ( ... )

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talkingdonkey February 25 2009, 13:42:38 UTC
Try heating the water until it's just steaming instead of boiling. Some types of green teas shouldn't be boiled as it ruins the flavor. Of course, it's still drinkable, just not as good. Good luck. :)

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wildvision February 26 2009, 08:42:00 UTC
So far I've tried 160 and 180 degrees, with the latter being more successful. Though, I think I may experiment a bit more. Thanks for the info. <3

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wildvision February 26 2009, 08:43:49 UTC
I've tried both those temps, and a bit longer in steep time, with varied success. So I'm not sure if it's the tea, or just me. I think I may look at other brands when I'm at the store tomorrow, but I don't know how much difference it'll make. Thanks for the info!

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wildvision February 26 2009, 08:45:18 UTC
Well, then I guess it's a good thing I don't do it that way. XD For me, it's much easier to just pull it off the heat when it gets where I want it, so that's what I do. But I'd seen people saying they did it the other way, and so I wondered. Thanks!

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mokie March 5 2009, 09:03:20 UTC
I have a box of Bigelow's jasmine green in my cabinet too, and though I like many of their other teas, this one is just pallid and flavorless. It's not you, or your procedure, or even your local tap water; it's very, very much the tea.

There's a lot of bad jasmine out there, unfortunately. I half-suspect that companies take their old unsold green and jasmine it up to try to salvage one last sale before it's deemed trash. It's an exercise in disappointment, but I keep trying. :)

Numi's jasmine (Monkey King!) is divine, and Twinnings's is quite nice though I don't remember rightly if it's a green or a black tea. You can also contact companies directly and ask about getting samples, which might save you some expense in your search. :)

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wildvision March 6 2009, 06:11:17 UTC
Well, that's disappointing. I've only tried it twice, and had hoped to get better results next time. (I'll probably try it again at least once, because I'm a packrat and it's hard for me to throw tea away.)

I might look into those; I've had good luck with Twinings in the past, and I've heard of Numi's, I think. (That's an idea, though...I wonder what jasmine black tea would taste like. I'd only ever heard of them using it in greens or maybe oolongs; light teas, because jasmine's a light/delicate flavor. Hmm...interesting!)

Thanks for the info!

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mokie March 8 2009, 06:04:06 UTC
You might try steeping it as a concentrate instead of the regular way. Toss four bags into a small sauce pot, bring to a boil and let it bubble for a few minutes, then pour that into a pitcher and top it off with water. Sweeten with a scoop of sugar if it's to your taste, and stick it in the fridge to be drank at your leisure.

That's how Southern sweet tea is brewed, and it's perfect for salvaging weak or poor quality teas (I am a cheap, cheap girl!), or if you've got guests who don't like regular tea. :)

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wildvision March 8 2009, 07:27:25 UTC
Y'know, that's a really good idea. I like iced green tea, so this might be tasty. And I'm all for Southern sweet tea; I've sugared every tea I've ever drank. (I swear, I must have been a good Southern girl in a past life. XD)

I'll have to try it, as soon as I get some fridge space cleared up. Thanks for the idea! =)

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