74
drank Gyokuro by Adagio Teas
46 tasting notes

I’ve had my sample for months and only now felt brave enough to try brewing it hot. (I tried the cold-brewing method first, without much success, must have been the ice I used.)

Looking for guidance from TeaChat, O-cha (http://www.o-cha.com/brewing-gyokuro.htm) and this post (http://meandmytea.blogspot.com/2008/04/gyokuro-brewing.html), I settled on 2g of leaf per oz of water. I used a heaping tablespoon which turned out to be 6.10 grams, then used ~100mL water. I started with 140F for my first batch.

First impression: Wow. Like matcha, only smokier.

The first batch I used only about 90ml, and it was too concentrated that I had to add a bit more water. It then mellowed down to a considerably more enjoyable cup. In fact, downright tasty I was smacking my lips. As I’m writing this now suddenly I can taste a sweet powdery taste emerging at the back of my tongue.

The succeeding batches, I upped the temperature of water a bit to 150, then 155, and used more water, about 110-120mL, infusion times between 60-90 seconds.

I’ve seen instructions (http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/wa_style/sub_contents/101/gyokuro.html) to use even lower temperatures (104 to 122F, or 40 to 50C), steeped for two minutes. Since I still have a lot of my sample, I will give that a try soon, but maybe not today, because damn this stuff is already going to my head, like espresso, and I think I better lie down. :P

Preparation
145 °F / 62 °C 1 min, 15 sec
Cofftea

Like matcha only smokier? I think I’ll skip those parameters then lol! I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything described like that lol.

pimli

feel free to use your own parameters, and share them with me please! mine, uh, suck.

Cofftea

LOL! I love matcha, but yeah smoky matcha would be like drinking ashes. I depend on http://www.denstea.com/perfect_brewing.html for all my Japanese green steeping parameters. Good luck!

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Comments

Cofftea

Like matcha only smokier? I think I’ll skip those parameters then lol! I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything described like that lol.

pimli

feel free to use your own parameters, and share them with me please! mine, uh, suck.

Cofftea

LOL! I love matcha, but yeah smoky matcha would be like drinking ashes. I depend on http://www.denstea.com/perfect_brewing.html for all my Japanese green steeping parameters. Good luck!

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My favorite teas: Chinese greens, Formosa oolongs (especially Alishan), and Matcha.

I’m not fond of black or flavored teas.

I love tiny gaiwan.

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Doha, Qatar

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