"Top Spin" > wrote in message
...
> I purchased 50 g of a tea labelled "Makaibari Estate FTGFOP1" at a
> local tea shop on their recommendation. I have made two 4-cup pots so
> far. One seemed weak and the other astringent.
>
[snip]

Darjeelings are fussy teas - you need to be very careful about brewing time
and temperature. Also, the combination of more tea/less time seems (to me)
to work better than the reverse. When you find the right combination, IMHO
there is no better tea on earth!

Try the Makaibari (a top-flight producer, BTW) with water slightly under
boiling, and try 2, 2.5 and 3 minute steeps. I generally use one rounded
teaspoon of tea per 8oz of water; if the leaves seem large, toss in an extra
half-teaspoon. I'd avoid using a microwave to heat the tea water, although
it's OK for heating the pot. Tea made with microwaved water never tastes
the same (or as good, I think) as with water conventionally heated.

Regards,
Dean