I never, truly never, thought I'd enjoy this bitter brew.. .but the other night after a hellish 16+ hour work day I found myself not wanting a subtle green but a sucker-punch to the throat and another go-round with Kudingcha. I posted a while back about my attempts with this "tea" and my complete displeasure.
This time I brewed it in my gaiwan and with very hot water and for shorter steeps, and I LOVED it. How's that for an about face? As I said before I enjoy bitter (Guiness, Chionotto, etc.), but all of my attempts to brew it in a teapot on a larger scale were horribly unpalateable, but in the gaiwan with two needles it was a whole new ballgame.
Crazy, but true... just figured I'd share.
- Dominic