In accord with the vendor’s suggestion, I steeped this tea three times using the same water temperature and brewing time rather than increasing both with each new rinse. The result was three quite different (but all very nice) cups of tea.
First cup: Light, clear yellow liquor, slightly sweet and noticeably smoky flavor.
Second: A much darker brew that was so cloudy I could barely see through the glass mug. (Also, lots and lots of sediment on the bottom. Must be from dust and fannings that were hiding inside the rolled balls.) This time the tea was much thicker and more brothy, though the smokiness was still there.
Third: Essentially a lighter version of the second cup, a little clearer and a little weaker in flavor. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that after two mugs’ worth.
