GentleMan GefI'm new to tea drinking. What's the favored way of steeping: Leave the infuser/bags in or let reach desired strength and remove. I've been leaving it in, so last cup is noticeably stronger than the first (which doesn't bother me).
Thoughts Of A Writer@SecularJeffrey I leave the bag in.
BeeCycling has movedI'd say, brew, remove bag/leaves, enjoy.
Alternative - brew, pour first cup, top up with more boiling water and leave. The subsequent cups won't be as strong as if you left the tea in without topping up.
Here in the UK if buying a pot of tea at a nice cafe it will often be served with an additional pot of hot water for that top-up.
GregryC@SecularJeffrey whip it out as soon as desired strength is reached.
That is the mantra of all of us who drink tea without milk.
S Fraser@SecularJeffrey OK, depends on the tea.
1 if its t-bags in a pot, I infuse and pour. Here tea bags tend to be really quick infusing. I tend to use bags for a quick cuppa.
2 if its loose leaf tea, I leave to infuse for 5 mins then remove the tea holder, and pour. This means the second cup is at the correct strength.
Chiasm@SecularJeffrey depends on the tea and how fast you drink it. I made a green tea the other day that was lovely at first but I left the bag in and it was ridiculously bitter and nasty by the end.
Reservoir Bunny@chiasm @SecularJeffrey fruit tea and green tea I leave the bag in. If I was to drink black tea again I'd remove it when it had reached the strength I want.
TransitBiker@reservoir_bunny @chiasm @SecularJeffrey From my experience herbal infusions can be left in for quite a lot longer than actual tea leaves. Green tea should not steep for longer than three minutes.
@chiasm @SecularJeffrey Yes! A common problem with green tea is that it is very easily over-steeped. From my experience and what I have read about 3 minutes is all you need and also the water should not be boiling. It should be about 170°F/76.7°C. Loose green tea is typically whole leaf while filter bags are typically chopped leaf. Chopped leaf typically steeps very fast & should never be left in. You can often smell the difference between whole and chopped leaf.
Blippy the Wonder Slug (MOVED)@SecularJeffrey
For black tea, when the bag stops floating works for me.
For black tea, when the bag stops floating works for me.
@SecularJeffrey you’re supposed to remove the tea after a few minutes, typically 3-7 max. Doesn’t matter if it’s an individual mug or if you’re making a whole pot. After a few minutes, you’re actually leaching stuff into the water that your body is not fond of. The hallmark of properly brewed tea is a leafy flavor and a faint hint of bitter. The longer it steeps the more bitter it will become. The chemicals that make it bitter can actually irritate your intestines and such. 👍
Four Larks Stu@SecularJeffrey whenever possible #SayNoToTeabagging...