I'd pour the water into the gaiwan, and get called in to my kids room to look at something apparently 'vitally important' on her computer screen or some fascinating position one of the dogs had fallen asleep in, and then wander back to my tea wondering how long I had been gone. Always less than two minutes, but still! When you are brewing a sheng or a shou or a duck-shit or really anything Gongfu style you can't be wandering off like that. Needless to say there were a few steeps I ruined, but this morning, the house quiet and peaceful I went right for the Dian Hong. This tea from Zen Tea has a lovely light color to the leaves, a nutty fragrance and is full of flavor. I was able to quietly brew this in my new 160ml gaiwan, using 5 grams of leaves with the water at 205f. Very deep-colored rinse, which I then proceeded to drink. Sometimes the rinse is just too good to dump. I believe I will ask my expert friends if perhaps there is a better temp to steep this tea, I don't want to risk running into bitter brews. Goodness knows the flash-stepped rinse was perfect but truly I don't think I would have wanted it any richer in body. Next steeps I will lower my temp's to 190f I think and see how it goes!
