On Fri, 04 Feb 2005 08:50:34 -0800, Top Spin wrote:

> On Fri, 04 Feb 2005 13:44:12 GMT, "DPM" > wrote:
>
>>
>>"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
>
> OK, I'll try shorter steep times.
>
> Do you also recommend trying it at lower temperatures?

Personally, I steep Darjeelings at less than boiling. The full roll
that I dump on Assams and China Blacks seems to "disagree" with
Darjeelings.

But, like everything with tea, that's a matter of taste.
--
Derek

On the sixth day, God created the platypus. And God said, "Let's see
the evolutionists try and figure this one out."