5g of tea
1st steep, 45°C, 60 sec, 100 ml: The mouthfeel is incredible, so silky. The colour of the first steep is actually very light compared to the latter ones and not cloudy at all. The taste is quite salty even for a gyokuro, but the umami is not super strong. The finish is bready and the aftertaste has honey sweetness.
2nd steep, 55°C, 15 sec, 100 ml: Again, great viscosity, but with a very strong green colour that could almost compete with some matchas. I like the taste more than the first steep, it is a bit more complex with grassy notes and some bitterness appearing. Otherwise not too dissimilar from the previous steep.
3rd steep, 60°C, 30 sec, 100 ml: The colour is still holding up, only slightly weaker now. The taste is vegetal and a little bit spicy, hints of courgette, black pepper and pattypan squash. The savoury tastes are still present, but much more modest, allowing for a yet more complex flavour. There is also a slight astringency kicking in and the taste is a bit more buttery overall with hints of citrus fruits.
4th steep, 70°C, 45 sec, 100 ml: Finally, the viscosity drops to standard levels. The taste is not too complex, but fairly balanced and enjoyable. The astringency is naturally a bit stronger but not overbearing at all.
5th steep, 80°C, 120 sec, 100 ml: I was feeling the tea is already giving up a little bit so I tried to get as much out of it for the 5th infusion, hoping that the bitterness and astringency won’t be too strong. And it isn’t, the tea holds up well even with longer steeps (with respect to how small the leaf bits are). There is a noticeable caffeine bitterness, but it is not too strong.
Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Black Pepper, Butter, Butternut Squash, Freshly Cut Grass, Honey, Parsley, Salty, Umami, Zucchini
