I have been sampling these teas for months, trying to decide which I like before upgrading and branching out.
I am steeping in a fairness pitcher, briefly washing the leaves and then doing the initial infusion. Though I don't always get the temperature right, or steep for the proper length of time it is mostly going okay.
If I wait 30-90 minutes before making a 2nd cup I will usually pour hot water over the leaves to reheat the pot and then pour that back into the cup to heat it. Even though the tea is steeped for just a few seconds while I reheat the containers, based on the color of the tea, especially when using Pu'er, its as if there has been a long infusion. Probably due to the leaves sitting there wet and primed. (Note the leaves are not sitting in water, but just retaining residual water from the 1st steeping.)
My concern is that I may be dumping the best tea, assuming I could get the strength correct? The 3rd and 4th steepings are tame in comparison where they just get weaker and/or need longer infusion times.
My question is am I approaching this correctly, should I adjust how I am doing the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd infusion? Other than needing a shorter infusion time is brewing Pu'er that different from an Oolong or Green Tea?
I am steeping in a fairness pitcher, briefly washing the leaves and then doing the initial infusion. Though I don't always get the temperature right, or steep for the proper length of time it is mostly going okay.
If I wait 30-90 minutes before making a 2nd cup I will usually pour hot water over the leaves to reheat the pot and then pour that back into the cup to heat it. Even though the tea is steeped for just a few seconds while I reheat the containers, based on the color of the tea, especially when using Pu'er, its as if there has been a long infusion. Probably due to the leaves sitting there wet and primed. (Note the leaves are not sitting in water, but just retaining residual water from the 1st steeping.)
My concern is that I may be dumping the best tea, assuming I could get the strength correct? The 3rd and 4th steepings are tame in comparison where they just get weaker and/or need longer infusion times.
My question is am I approaching this correctly, should I adjust how I am doing the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd infusion? Other than needing a shorter infusion time is brewing Pu'er that different from an Oolong or Green Tea?