The only reason tea taste different over time is the concentration of
solution not the variability of the components. Proportionally they
are the same in a weak cup versus a strong cup. The components of the
taste are the same only different in concentration. The Gongfu method
relies on saturation of all taste components for consistency in taste.
The argument that there are fundamentally different dilution rates is a
meaningless factoid when applied to taste. Take any tea you want, brew
it according to any method you want, and it will essentially taste the
same as any other method. The subsequent subtleties argument is
nothing more than idiosyncractic personality quirks. The gongfu method
can produce more infusions but the taste from a brown betty allowing
for volume is the same that is you couldn't tell the difference if
blindfolded. If 80% caffeine is extracted in all teas for the first
infusion then what percentage of overall taste also is also extracted?
You'll find from experience about the same for any given rate of
caffeine or any other taste component. Different rates of solution
even out in what we describe as taste. Next time don't pick my post
apart unless you can reply with more evidence to back up any assertion
be it scientific or anecdotal.

Jim

Scott Dorsey wrote:
> Space Cowboy > wrote:
> >Okay here is some more anecdotal evidence that bebunks the idea that
> >caffeine is soluable at a fundamentally different rate than the
> >components of 'taste'.
>
> But there are LOTS of components of taste, and they are all soluble at
> different rates.
>
> That's why tea tastes different the longer you steep it. If everything
> had the same solubility, then tea steeped for ten minutes and diluted
> would taste the same as tea steeped for one minute (at least assuming
> nothing dissolved to the point of saturation). This is very clearly not
> the case. The taste changes dramatically as the steeping is extended,
> because the less soluble products are starting to go into solution.
> --scott
>
>
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."