I can’t believe the brewing perameters on this! The info they sent me clearly states 1/2TB (1.5tsp) steeped in 4oz boiling water for 1min for senchas, but the bag says 1tsp/6oz in 190 degree water for 3 min. I’m sticking w/ the sheet.
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2nd and 3rd infusions combined. 8oz boiling water steeped for 3min. In light of the bitterness of the 1st infusion. I did something I RARELY do. I decided to sweeten it. 1 packet of stevia. Idea isn’t bad, but too sweet. next time gonna steep it in 16oz for 7 min 40 sec. You could just use half a packet, but to me that’s a pain and a mess.
Japanese greens have very specific steeping parameters. Each green from company to company can be radically different. I’ve heard of greens that require 2 tbsp.
@teaplz, it shouldn’t be the company that makes the difference. Each sencha SHOULD be the same. Are other teas (black, chai, pu erh, white, oolong) from Japan similar? What about from other countries? This is the 1st I’ve learned of steeping according to sub type of tea (sencha vs. just green) and can’t find this info for other kinds.
No, each sencha is not the same. Like every other tea, sencha has many varieties. Depending on which sencha you’re drinking, steepage might be different.
In fact, in general, there are two broad categories of sencha: “Two types of sencha are available. They’re differentiated by the length of steaming time: there are lightly-steamed (regular) senchas and deep-steamed senchas. Generally speaking, teas from the select growing zones and higher-grade teas (such as the first-harvest teas discussed below) are processed with shorter steaming times to retain their natural flavor. Deep-steaming is a relatively new processing method. Advantages brought by longer steaming are a milder yet rich-bodied taste with less bitterness, brilliant green brewed color, and easier brewing.”
http://www.greentea-direct.com/about_hishidai/sencha_gyokuro.html
So yes, you have to change your steepage time for each different tea depending on varietal.
Further information on the difference senchas: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/sencha.html
Not all teas are the same.
@teaplz, I think there was some miscommunication on my part. What I meant was that all premium sencha should be steeped in an amount of 1.5tsp of leaf in 2-3oz of 160 degree water for 90 sec no matter what company it comes from. Same w/ sencha, Premium Fukamushi-Sencha, and Fukamushi-Sencha with their own unique parameters.
What I was trying to say is that different companies can order different types of sencha, and suggest different steeping times as a result. That’s why each company can have very varied steeping suggestions. It’s all to taste, anyway. Different amounts of buds vs. leaves, different varieties of plants, different roasting procedures, all of these can change suggested steep times.
If every company’s premium sencha tasted exactly the same, then why would anyone bother drinking several different companies’ varieties? It’s because no two teas are ever alike, and no one’s taste buds are ever alike.
I don’t think that tea can ever be an exact science. One man’s “BLECH!” is another man’s “MMM.”
Although I’ve gotten in trouble for saying so, I definitely agree "One man’s “BLECH!” is another man’s “MMM.”", but I also think that while different teas of like type (premium sencha for example) should be steeped using the same parameters to amplify the differences. Just my way of thinking of course. It just doesn’t make sense for them to include that pamphlet and then suggest alternative steeping perameters.
I get confused easily lol. And contradictory info DEFINTELY confuses me:)
Hrm. One might be Japanese-style and the other might be Western-style steeping? That’s what it looks like to me!
@teaplz, that’s exactly what I think it is- but I don’t think a company should publish both (especially w/o specifying the difference). It confuses my poor tea-logged brain cells. Don’t get me started on Western style steeping LOL. I’ll stick w/ Japanese style steeping. It never occured to me that the way we drink it here could be different than in their countries of origin. Now that I do, I’m going to strive to steep each type of tea authentically.
4th & 5th infusions combined. 8oz of water steeped for 5 min. Not a whole lot of apple flavor, but definitely a sweet green tea. Dumping the leaves out cuz most of them are so small they’re getting mushy- does anyone else have that problem w/ Den’s Tea?
2nd and 3rd infusions combined. 8oz boiling water steeped for 3min. In light of the bitterness of the 1st infusion. I did something I RARELY do. I decided to sweeten it. 1 packet of stevia. Idea isn’t bad, but too sweet. next time gonna steep it in 16oz for 7 min 40 sec. You could just use half a packet, but to me that’s a pain and a mess.
Japanese greens have very specific steeping parameters. Each green from company to company can be radically different. I’ve heard of greens that require 2 tbsp.
@teaplz, it shouldn’t be the company that makes the difference. Each sencha SHOULD be the same. Are other teas (black, chai, pu erh, white, oolong) from Japan similar? What about from other countries? This is the 1st I’ve learned of steeping according to sub type of tea (sencha vs. just green) and can’t find this info for other kinds.
No, each sencha is not the same. Like every other tea, sencha has many varieties. Depending on which sencha you’re drinking, steepage might be different.
In fact, in general, there are two broad categories of sencha: “Two types of sencha are available. They’re differentiated by the length of steaming time: there are lightly-steamed (regular) senchas and deep-steamed senchas. Generally speaking, teas from the select growing zones and higher-grade teas (such as the first-harvest teas discussed below) are processed with shorter steaming times to retain their natural flavor. Deep-steaming is a relatively new processing method. Advantages brought by longer steaming are a milder yet rich-bodied taste with less bitterness, brilliant green brewed color, and easier brewing.”
http://www.greentea-direct.com/about_hishidai/sencha_gyokuro.html
So yes, you have to change your steepage time for each different tea depending on varietal.
Further information on the difference senchas: http://www.amazing-green-tea.com/sencha.html
Not all teas are the same.
@teaplz, I think there was some miscommunication on my part. What I meant was that all premium sencha should be steeped in an amount of 1.5tsp of leaf in 2-3oz of 160 degree water for 90 sec no matter what company it comes from. Same w/ sencha, Premium Fukamushi-Sencha, and Fukamushi-Sencha with their own unique parameters.
What I was trying to say is that different companies can order different types of sencha, and suggest different steeping times as a result. That’s why each company can have very varied steeping suggestions. It’s all to taste, anyway. Different amounts of buds vs. leaves, different varieties of plants, different roasting procedures, all of these can change suggested steep times.
If every company’s premium sencha tasted exactly the same, then why would anyone bother drinking several different companies’ varieties? It’s because no two teas are ever alike, and no one’s taste buds are ever alike.
I don’t think that tea can ever be an exact science. One man’s “BLECH!” is another man’s “MMM.”
Although I’ve gotten in trouble for saying so, I definitely agree "One man’s “BLECH!” is another man’s “MMM.”", but I also think that while different teas of like type (premium sencha for example) should be steeped using the same parameters to amplify the differences. Just my way of thinking of course. It just doesn’t make sense for them to include that pamphlet and then suggest alternative steeping perameters.
I get confused easily lol. And contradictory info DEFINTELY confuses me:)
Hrm. One might be Japanese-style and the other might be Western-style steeping? That’s what it looks like to me!
@teaplz, that’s exactly what I think it is- but I don’t think a company should publish both (especially w/o specifying the difference). It confuses my poor tea-logged brain cells. Don’t get me started on Western style steeping LOL. I’ll stick w/ Japanese style steeping. It never occured to me that the way we drink it here could be different than in their countries of origin. Now that I do, I’m going to strive to steep each type of tea authentically.
4th & 5th infusions combined. 8oz of water steeped for 5 min. Not a whole lot of apple flavor, but definitely a sweet green tea. Dumping the leaves out cuz most of them are so small they’re getting mushy- does anyone else have that problem w/ Den’s Tea?