I tried this once again, again with better results. The first infusion wasn’t bitter (yay!), but I still wasn’t wild about it. Maybe this sencha just isn’t my cup of tea. The second infusion did come out bitter again, but I’m sure it was a steeping error again (water too hot, methinks). That was the last of my sample.
I’ve been in love with tea since I discovered the awesomeness of loose-leaf tea about four years ago.
In general, I prefer black, green, oolong, and matcha teas. I’m not a big fan of flavoured teas, but every so often I come across one I like. I also like peppermint, but that’s about it for tisanes.
I recently tried matcha for the first time, and it’s seriously growing on me.
My favourite tea accessory is my chasen holder, hence my profile pic, and my favourite teaware is the shudei kyusu I got from Den’s Tea for 99 cents. I use it both for cooling water and steeping tea. Probably the best 99 cents I’ve spent. :)
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
I would definitely start by reducing the temperature. 1 minute is certainly not “too long”. Some Japanese greens like to steep as cool as 150F.
Sounds like a good plan, Jim. Thanks!