How to prepare Darjeeling tea?
Dear tea's lovers, I am an italian who like tea very much. I have been drinking teas since I was young! Well, my question is:according to you how prepar a cup of tea? Darjeling for example. More than 40 years I drink tea and I also know that I can use one teaspoon each cup, today I was told, froma owner of a teas shop in Italy, that one must put 2 teaspoon for each cup!!!!! After more than 40 years i have, for first time, heard that!! Please, what do you think about? Thanks beforehand and I apologize about my english mistakes!
Last edited by pedant on Wed Apr 21, 2021 7:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: mod edit: fixed title typo
Reason: mod edit: fixed title typo
Hello @anacoreta and Welcome to TeaForum. How to steep depends on your palate and on the Darjeeling. 1st flush is more delicate so can use cooler water, 2nd flush more robust and can take hotter temperatures. Just checking a few Darjeeling and the range is not as obvious as I thought.
1st flushed
Black: 2.5g/100ml/175-185F/3-4 minutes
White: 2.5gr/100ml/185f/3-4min, 2.5g/100ml/175-185F/4-6minutes
2nd flush
Black: 2.5g/100ml/203-212F/3-4minutes
1st flushed
Black: 2.5g/100ml/175-185F/3-4 minutes
White: 2.5gr/100ml/185f/3-4min, 2.5g/100ml/175-185F/4-6minutes
2nd flush
Black: 2.5g/100ml/203-212F/3-4minutes
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Ethan Kurland
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If you are buying your darjeeling from that owner of a teashop, he will profit from you doubling the amount of leaves that you use. If the owner used the word "must", I am glad you came to the forum for advice. Such a statement should be challenged.
Victoria's parameters seem sound. You may not have equipment for measuring; so: Just bringing your water to a boil & letting the water rest for 30 seconds before you steep some tea & using water from the kettle 15 seconds after that for comparison should enable you to find how hot you like the water for brewing. Likewise, if a teaspoon of leaves seems a bit weak, maybe add just a pinch more of leaves (not immediately going to double the amount).
Cheers
Last edited by Ethan Kurland on Wed Apr 21, 2021 2:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Second flush:
I find 2.5g /100 mL for 3-4 min too robust and tend to go lower as a starting point.
2g/90 mL 2 min
Then a second infusion for 2min30s
For good material, can go for 4+ infusions
I like to use a small 90 mL chao zhou teapot
I find 2.5g /100 mL for 3-4 min too robust and tend to go lower as a starting point.
2g/90 mL 2 min
Then a second infusion for 2min30s
For good material, can go for 4+ infusions
I like to use a small 90 mL chao zhou teapot