I called one of two local stores that sell loose leaf tea here in Toledo, Ohio. A nice lady and we had a nice conversation over the phone, but I was amazed when I mentioned Assam tea and she did not know what I was talking about (and I probably didn't either ;). She said that by using loose leaf, it can be used 2-3 times before discarding the used leafs.
Is this true?
Thanks, Jane
I'm amazed as well. Assam is hardly anything esoteric - it's a staple in the tea business.
Yes. And no. Many good quality teas can yeild good infusions even with multiple steeps, but it also depends on the type of tea. A good oolong, for example, could be good for 3 or 4 steeps. A good green may 2 or 3. But black teas (like most Assams) really don't re-steep very well at all. I never do multiple steeps with black teas.
If your local stores don't even know what an Assam is, you might want to try one of the online dealers. Two I would recommend would be Upton Tea
Depends a lot on the tea. Some teas are good for one steep. Some teas are good for a dozen and keep getting better too.
--scott
That is exactly what I intend to do: buy online. Thanks to all you wonderful people, I have been given a lot of good information and was never treated as if I were an outsider simply because I am a "newbie" to tea. I cannot say that about other groups I have posted to in the past.
Thanks, Jane
Loose teas are generally good for multiple steeps depending on method of preparation, water temperature, timing and preference of taste.
Pu'erh of high quality could be good for 10 to 20 maybe even 30 depending on method.
Oolongs 4-10
Greens 3-7
Whites 3-5
Yellows 3-7
Black 2-10
Lengths exampled are using gong fu method which is probably the best method for loose teas. These examples are also much influenced by personal taste, quality and age of tea.
Allen Miller
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