hmm. So I guess I have some mixed feelings about this one. My first steep was at 4 minutes with boiling water and I should have known that was too hot because the package says 190 F. It got too bitter and astringent for me. I am used to treating darjeelings more or less like a black tea but I think I need to start treating them more like oolongs. My mistake for sure.
So in my second steep, it got steeped more like a green tea for 3 minutes with around 160 F. Now I’m getting some more pleasant apricot jam like notes in addition to floral & vanilla. But yeah the astringency is still lurking there. I might need to start all over again with this one or perhaps this is a gateway into a learning experience that I might want to avoid first flush darjeelings in the future? I suspect it needs a more delicate tasting perhaps in the gaiwan. Stay tuned…
Preparation
People who liked this
Comments
I did the same thing yesterday with a FTGFOP1 and my tea was so bitter I literally spit it out. What’s odd is that I followed the brewing instructions, but I will definitely brew it like a green next time.
I find that once a tea gets bitter (over-steeping, too hot water, etc) that bitterness remains in future steeps of the same leaves, even if they are handled more delicately the second time (or third, or fourth, etc). Maybe a new set of leaves will yield better results?
Live and learn, so they say. Uniquity, yes I have a little bit of the sample left so I’m going to try again armed with my new knowledge. :)
Darjeelings (esp FF’s) do not resteep well. Lower the temp and Amy, try steeping no longer than 3, or even 2.5 minutes.
will do!
I’ve had a few that have steeped really well the second and third time. Not so much with the lower quality ones. I’m looking forward to your review of this at a lower temp!!
Indigo…….what do you consider lower quality ones?
Sometimes I will brew a second time, but I usually add more leaf to the 2nd cup.
Hmmm probably the ones that don’t resteep well!! lol
my spice exchange darjeeling brewed even better the third time. Sweeter and fruitier than the first!
I guess I could, but I’ve never steeped a Darjeeling more than twice.
how long do you brew for? I tend to do shorter steeps
I did the same thing yesterday with a FTGFOP1 and my tea was so bitter I literally spit it out. What’s odd is that I followed the brewing instructions, but I will definitely brew it like a green next time.
I find that once a tea gets bitter (over-steeping, too hot water, etc) that bitterness remains in future steeps of the same leaves, even if they are handled more delicately the second time (or third, or fourth, etc). Maybe a new set of leaves will yield better results?
Live and learn, so they say. Uniquity, yes I have a little bit of the sample left so I’m going to try again armed with my new knowledge. :)
Darjeelings (esp FF’s) do not resteep well. Lower the temp and Amy, try steeping no longer than 3, or even 2.5 minutes.
will do!
I’ve had a few that have steeped really well the second and third time. Not so much with the lower quality ones. I’m looking forward to your review of this at a lower temp!!
Indigo…….what do you consider lower quality ones?
Sometimes I will brew a second time, but I usually add more leaf to the 2nd cup.
Hmmm probably the ones that don’t resteep well!! lol
my spice exchange darjeeling brewed even better the third time. Sweeter and fruitier than the first!
I guess I could, but I’ve never steeped a Darjeeling more than twice.
how long do you brew for? I tend to do shorter steeps