Is there a beginners guide to tea brewing somewhere? I'm thinking about getting into it, but at a fairly low cost. I looked into the T-sac that I saw in a previous post and some loose tea at Jas-e-tea. Do I just put the leaves in the sac like they come? Surely I don't have to grind it right?
Tea faq
- Thread starter ShaveYourSoul
- Start date
I was actually just perusing this today! Check out the stickied thread "Café Menu" for even more great info!
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Tea_FAQ
I'm pretty new to Loose Leaf tea myself, but I've been using a repurposed French Press (far too big, but it'll do for a while).
Weigh out appropriate amount of tea leaves for your brew (for a Black Tea, i do about 5 gm - 8 gm)
Boil Water in separate vessel
Let Water cool to appropriate temperature (varies by tea type and preference, for black I use about 200 F)
Pour Appropriate amount into vessel containing tea (In my case, the French Press, about 100 mL - 150 mL)
Steep appropriate amount of time (this will vary depending on tea type and number of times the tea has been steeped)
Pour into cup
Drink
Repeat...
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I too want to start brewing some loose leaf (tea, not paper
) but at the moment I am too caught up in spending money on shaving stuff.
Geez, it never ends!
) but at the moment I am too caught up in spending money on shaving stuff. Geez, it never ends!
Certainly no need to grind tea leaves before steeping them. I believe you will be better served by skipping the T-sacs and getting a Gaiwan, metal infuser, or tea steeper. The links I provided are not meant as a endorsement of that specific product, but an example of that type of brewing device.
I am also looking to go cheap but only because I wouldn't be drinking much tea. One cup, maybe two three times per week on my days off from work. If I were to drink tea at work it would be bagged, even if they're my own bags. The point is I don't need an expensive set up for brewing a pot of tea.
But at the same time I'd like to get more out of the cup I'd be brewing so want at least a step up from a tea ball. So I've seen these nice containers that look like they make up to two cups with an infuser inside that is mesh and has a screen lid to pour water "thru the leaves (rather than just soaking them) for about 10 bucks. I have also seen in Wegmans, for $5, a cup size infuser. Wegmans also has a tea thermometer for fairly cheap that has a timer on it. I think for under $25 I can be set. Less without a thermometer.
But at the same time I'd like to get more out of the cup I'd be brewing so want at least a step up from a tea ball. So I've seen these nice containers that look like they make up to two cups with an infuser inside that is mesh and has a screen lid to pour water "thru the leaves (rather than just soaking them) for about 10 bucks. I have also seen in Wegmans, for $5, a cup size infuser. Wegmans also has a tea thermometer for fairly cheap that has a timer on it. I think for under $25 I can be set. Less without a thermometer.
I lived in China and the way they do it there is simply to take a pinch of tea, put it in a glass or a cup, add hot water, let steep, and drink. You can just keep refilling the water until the tea loses its flavour. The only problem is that you have to get used to not drinking the tea leaves or just spitting them back in the cup. The tea normally settles to the bottom after a while, so it becomes less bothersome.
I have spent over ten years working with a Chinese Tea Master. We have co-authored 3 books on Chinese tea. I am going to start a tea specifically related to Chinese tea. I will be in the Cafe section and called Tea Friends.
Done!! I had my first loose leaf brewed tea yesterday and it was great...and simple...and cheap. I have been reading online about brewing tea and all the "beginner" instructions and blogs etc. It seemed, like anything else, that there are ranges in methods that go from simple to extravagant. You can dump the leaves right in your cup or you absolutely need the most expensive infuser on the market. After weeding through everything and then almost buying a middle of the road cup/container/infuser I decided on something more simple.
I went to my local Wegman's supermarket which has a loose leaf tea section and looked at the teas choosing an Earl Grey as a simple introduction tea. Then I bagged about $5 worth (which seemed like a decent amount of tea actually). Next I grabbed a small infuser they had for $4.50. It fits right in my cup and the rim at the top prevents it from falling in. Actually it fits in both my small and large cups. I went home boiled up some water, stuck a cooking thermometer in there when the water boiled (which I actually thought was unnecessary for the Black Tea I was brewing) then poured the water in my cup letting the leaves soak for 5 minutes. Simple and cheap.
The tea was great. Very flavorful. I figured, what's the difference between that infuser and one that costs more or comes with a pot or is gold plated or has it's own cup or whatever. I don't make more than one cup at a time and probably just once per day....maybe twice. I'm happy. Done deal. I'm sure a tea ball would work too for my needs but I like the idea of the tea having more room to soak rather than being crammed in a ball. And I also have the option/room to add more tea as this infuser is about half a cup in size/depth.
I went to my local Wegman's supermarket which has a loose leaf tea section and looked at the teas choosing an Earl Grey as a simple introduction tea. Then I bagged about $5 worth (which seemed like a decent amount of tea actually). Next I grabbed a small infuser they had for $4.50. It fits right in my cup and the rim at the top prevents it from falling in. Actually it fits in both my small and large cups. I went home boiled up some water, stuck a cooking thermometer in there when the water boiled (which I actually thought was unnecessary for the Black Tea I was brewing) then poured the water in my cup letting the leaves soak for 5 minutes. Simple and cheap.
The tea was great. Very flavorful. I figured, what's the difference between that infuser and one that costs more or comes with a pot or is gold plated or has it's own cup or whatever. I don't make more than one cup at a time and probably just once per day....maybe twice. I'm happy. Done deal. I'm sure a tea ball would work too for my needs but I like the idea of the tea having more room to soak rather than being crammed in a ball. And I also have the option/room to add more tea as this infuser is about half a cup in size/depth.
I'm glad it worked for you. I love Earl Grey. Perfect place to start.
I steep mine for 2.5 minutes at 185 degrees.
Good luck!
I steep mine for 2.5 minutes at 185 degrees.
Good luck!
Welcome to yet another hobby/passion/addiction that will be inexpensive and not get you spending gobs and gobs of money.
Another rabbit hole.
Before you know it, you'll be arguing with complete strangers about the relative merits of Tai Ping Hou Kui vs. Liu An Gua Pian, the various mountains of Taiwan, and which rock tea reigns supreme. Then you'll discover pu'er, and you'll really start to unravel.
Before you know it, you'll be arguing with complete strangers about the relative merits of Tai Ping Hou Kui vs. Liu An Gua Pian, the various mountains of Taiwan, and which rock tea reigns supreme. Then you'll discover pu'er, and you'll really start to unravel.
hahaha... that's what happened to me. And, then I started my own online tea store so I could educate others a bit more and feed my habit.
I am really having fun with tea. I got a single serving teapot from adagio tea (plastic) and a kettle. I have some teas from adagio but also got some sampler packs from upton tea for Christmas from my wonderful wife.
I love the single serving teapot. Not traditional but very easy to use/clean.
I love the single serving teapot. Not traditional but very easy to use/clean.
