TeaTotaling wrote: ↑Fri Jul 22, 2022 1:21 pm
Teafortea wrote: ↑Mon Jun 13, 2022 10:43 am
What causes the bitterness on some other tea in the last infusions?
Could be a higher tannin count in the material or possibly processing differences.
Reminders: 1. understanding why is probably less important than knowing which teas to buy from whom; 2. if one does not empty his teapot thoroughly when pouring out infusions, some water may stay in the pot for all of the infusions leading to bitterness.
Years back when I was trying to get myself to pay a lot more for top quality gaoshan (much more $ than what I was paying for tea that was not so much lower in quality but much lower in price), I was lucky enough to witness a tea vendor testing & assessing dayuling from quite a few sources. As well as coming from various farmer/producers, dayuling was separated by what time of day it had been harvested etc.
I was disconcerted by my observation. The tea was pushed very hard: leaves were steeped many times for long-lasting infusions; &, the main concerns seemed to be durability & aroma. I saw eyes & noses working, not mouths (no drinking). Obviously, I did not understand nor appreciate the work of teamasters & all of the steps.....
Leaving out most of the story, ultimately the biggest surprise to me, is that for many buyers, bitterness that I feel ruins tea drinking (totally overwhelming other flavors, pleasant mouthfeel, etc.) is not a problem. Also surprising, is that the dayuling chosen by my source to sell to such buyers, was most expensive & not for sale except in small quantities, though it was very bitter. (Of course, some of us would find perfect teaware, water, & parameters to reduce bitterness, not me.)
Long story, short: One does well to find a vendor who is on the same wavelength, so to speak. One man's "sweet" may be another man's "bitter"; "unami" can mean so many things. Exchanging emails & speaking on a phone, makes more sense to me than buying several dayulings or lishans from multiple vendors. (For efficiency, I mean, I wouldn't knock someone who is enjoying the shopping, sampling, etc.)
One seeking his ideal lishan, might find what he wants easily, except it might be called by another name. If one asks me for the very best lishan good for many, many infusions; he should end up w/ my foushoushan. If LS is needed that has a tag on it saying "Lishan", perhaps 6 infusions should be enough (though mine does not get bitter, the leaves do get weak). If one does not need the LS tag & cares about price, he should buy my shanlinxi.
I'm serious but moving towards silly, It's so hot today in Boston & my building's central ac conked out. Cheers.