Actually, some people brewing the Chinese gongfu method do crush some
of their leaves.

Try this: crush some only, and not all. Let most of what you use be
whole leaves and crush the smaller ones with your hand (or collect the
bottom-of-the-packet leaves). Place the crushed leaves on the bottom
of your teapot and then place the whole leaves on top. Then pour your
hot water very gently so as not to disturb and stir the leaves too
much when pouring.

my 2 rupee

On Mar 30, 6:53 pm, Aloke Prasad >
wrote:
> Whenever I give my 1st flush DJ's like Makaibari's to my family or
> guests (who are expecting something really really out of this world,
> given the cost and trouble I go through to get these.. vs buying Green
> Label at the local Indian store).. they remark that the tea feels "weak"
> and has no "liquor" (or color), even though they like the flavor.
>
> So, given that the teas that produce stronger color have finer leaf
> (like CTC), what if I crush (but not powder) my DJ's? Will that produce
> a better blend of falvor AND color? Probably, as I notice that the more
> fine leaves at the bottom of the packets if the 1st flush DJ's also
> produces a few brews of more color and body.
>
> [Yeah, I can hear people say .. Why don't you try and find out? But I
> wanted to see why others haven't though of doing this before].