First black tea I have tasted that was loose-leaf and from a good source. I steeped it only 30 seconds for the first infusion, and it was dark and fairly bitter. Wonder if I just used way too much ( 1 bamboo tea scoop, approx 1 rounded teaspoon) for a small gaiwan? I bet that's it! I can only hope that strong taste will evaporate with more infusions. I know people love this good and basic tea, it isn't like I am trying to understand the taste for Puerh, ( which so far totally eludes me).
I also feel a far more intense caffeine feel in my body right after sipping just 1.5 oz.
Husband, no tea expert says 'stale Lipton' and that's unfair of course. I am sure this is a good tea but I am missing something vital here. Maybe my new found adoration for Oriental Beauty is changing my taste buds. I also no longer enjoy any of the Japanese green teas I used to drink aside from matcha.
Has OB messed with my silly old head?
I flash brewed and dumped five small cha hai's of tea before the color lightened even a little bit. I will await further instructions from the various online tea-gods on how to proceed!
