For strong tea, what's better: more time steeping, or more tea?
January 1, 2020 1:04 PM Subscribe
I was given a pound of high-end loose leaf Earl Grey tea for Hannukah. I like my tea very, very strong, but, having only used tea bags up until now, I'm not sure how making strong tea might be different with loose tea. Please advise. Thanks
You could also make tea essence, something my grandmother used to do: super-concentrated tea that could be stored and combined with varying amounts of water when served.
posted by migurski at 1:23 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by migurski at 1:23 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Loose-leaf Earl Grey tea tends to take more loose tea than I expect to make a strong cup. I usually use a tablespoon to a tablespoon and a half (like the large silverware tablespoons) of the loose tea material in an infuser basket for one large mug of tea. Start there and see how it goes with your particular brand/variety of Earl Grey!
posted by limeonaire at 1:24 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by limeonaire at 1:24 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
As a general rule, more tea is better for a stronger cup, as oversteeping can bring out unpleasant flavors in the tea.
posted by ananci at 1:27 PM on January 1, 2020 [8 favorites]
posted by ananci at 1:27 PM on January 1, 2020 [8 favorites]
por que no los dos? several tbps, 6-8 mins steeping.
posted by Lawn Beaver at 1:27 PM on January 1, 2020
posted by Lawn Beaver at 1:27 PM on January 1, 2020
For stronger tea, use more tea. Using more time will make the tea bitter. For a black tea like Earl Grey, use one teaspoon per 6 oz of water. Heat the water to boiling, and steep for four minutes. If that's not strong enough, up the amount of tea, but don't up the amount of time.
Be aware that 6 oz of water isn't really that much, and I only have one tea mug that small. Your average coffee mug/tea mug is probably closer to 11 or 12 oz, and I have some that are 16 oz. If that's the case, adjust the amount of tea accordingly.
posted by ralan at 1:48 PM on January 1, 2020 [3 favorites]
Be aware that 6 oz of water isn't really that much, and I only have one tea mug that small. Your average coffee mug/tea mug is probably closer to 11 or 12 oz, and I have some that are 16 oz. If that's the case, adjust the amount of tea accordingly.
posted by ralan at 1:48 PM on January 1, 2020 [3 favorites]
I am a strong tea person, add more tea. Leaving the leaves can increase bitterness. Sometimes I'm OK with that otherwise not so much. In addition more tea will strengthen the other flavors (bergamont in Earl Grey) as well.
If it's no consequence to you, make two cups at the same time. Double the tea in one and increase brewing time in other and just taste the difference .
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:59 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
If it's no consequence to you, make two cups at the same time. Double the tea in one and increase brewing time in other and just taste the difference .
posted by AlexiaSky at 2:59 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
Hotter water, if possible. Preheat your pot or mug with boiling water, dump that water, and make tea. Cover mug during steeping, if applicable.
posted by momus_window at 3:02 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by momus_window at 3:02 PM on January 1, 2020 [2 favorites]
I agree with using more tea, and agree with limeonaire that I would probably use a tablespoon to a tablespoon and a half of tea for a large mug.
If I want stronger tea, I use more tea, use boiling water, and infuse for 3 - 4 minutes. Also, I think it works better to use a big tea infuser, rather than a tea ball. Tea leaves need room to unfurl to release as much flavor as possible, so it's a good idea to choose the roomiest infuser you can. I make my tea a mug at a time using a filter like this for loose tea. This size filter works for a mug, or for a small teapot. There are larger ones available if using in a big teapot.
posted by gudrun at 3:23 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
If I want stronger tea, I use more tea, use boiling water, and infuse for 3 - 4 minutes. Also, I think it works better to use a big tea infuser, rather than a tea ball. Tea leaves need room to unfurl to release as much flavor as possible, so it's a good idea to choose the roomiest infuser you can. I make my tea a mug at a time using a filter like this for loose tea. This size filter works for a mug, or for a small teapot. There are larger ones available if using in a big teapot.
posted by gudrun at 3:23 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seconded, the bigger the infuser the better. Ideally a teapot with a large infuser.
Different teas brew up differently. You'll want to experiment with time, tea ratio, and temperature to get the flavor profile you're after in the most efficient way. Loose leaf tends to stand up to resteeping better than bagged, so experiment with that too.
posted by Standard Orange at 4:00 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Different teas brew up differently. You'll want to experiment with time, tea ratio, and temperature to get the flavor profile you're after in the most efficient way. Loose leaf tends to stand up to resteeping better than bagged, so experiment with that too.
posted by Standard Orange at 4:00 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Loose leaf tea typically takes longer to brew than tea in tea bags just because the leaf pieces are bigger; tea in tea bags tends to be ground up really small to increase the surface area. Are there instructions on the package for brewing time?
Seconding the need for just-boiled water to properly brew black or oolong teas. Once the water starts to cool off, it will not extract the flavour well.
Finally, Earl Grey is typically made with a darjeeling tea base, which is naturally a milder tea than, say, English Breakfast. It can still be brewed strong, but the flavour profile may not be what you expect if you're not used to Earl Grey.
posted by heatherlogan at 5:42 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Seconding the need for just-boiled water to properly brew black or oolong teas. Once the water starts to cool off, it will not extract the flavour well.
Finally, Earl Grey is typically made with a darjeeling tea base, which is naturally a milder tea than, say, English Breakfast. It can still be brewed strong, but the flavour profile may not be what you expect if you're not used to Earl Grey.
posted by heatherlogan at 5:42 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
Also, I think it works better to use a big tea infuser, rather than a tea ball.
I totally agree with this.
And to expand on this, I know they seem kind of gimmicky, but I've been using a bottom-dispensing teamaker to make a strong mug of black tea every single morning for nearly 5 years and highly recommend it. I like it because:
- Once the tea is done, I can just stick it on top of a mug to drain and I don't have to think about it and it can sit there for however long. Seems very minor, but often in the morning I'm trying to do multiple things at once, or I'm simultaneously cooking or whatever.
- The tea leaves have the entire space to infuse for maximum taste.
- Unlike the majority of teapots, it is clear, so you can see how much water to pour in. I used to mark the side but now I just know by heart where to pour the tea to get how much I want.
The only downside is that it is in (BPA-free) plastic. Personally, I have to be honest and say I don't care (I am stressed enough about so many other health/exercise things, this is just one thing that I can't bring myself to care about) but if this is an issue for you, there may be similar products made in glass out there, though I haven't looked.
posted by andrewesque at 5:44 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
I totally agree with this.
And to expand on this, I know they seem kind of gimmicky, but I've been using a bottom-dispensing teamaker to make a strong mug of black tea every single morning for nearly 5 years and highly recommend it. I like it because:
- Once the tea is done, I can just stick it on top of a mug to drain and I don't have to think about it and it can sit there for however long. Seems very minor, but often in the morning I'm trying to do multiple things at once, or I'm simultaneously cooking or whatever.
- The tea leaves have the entire space to infuse for maximum taste.
- Unlike the majority of teapots, it is clear, so you can see how much water to pour in. I used to mark the side but now I just know by heart where to pour the tea to get how much I want.
The only downside is that it is in (BPA-free) plastic. Personally, I have to be honest and say I don't care (I am stressed enough about so many other health/exercise things, this is just one thing that I can't bring myself to care about) but if this is an issue for you, there may be similar products made in glass out there, though I haven't looked.
posted by andrewesque at 5:44 PM on January 1, 2020 [1 favorite]
nthing that you'll need properly boiling water - and make it in a teapot that you've already warmed up
and also nthing that Earl Grey is quite a subtle & fragrant tea which might even go a bit weird if you try to make it too strong
use Assam or Kenya tea for the best strong-tea flavour
posted by rd45 at 3:24 AM on January 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
and also nthing that Earl Grey is quite a subtle & fragrant tea which might even go a bit weird if you try to make it too strong
use Assam or Kenya tea for the best strong-tea flavour
posted by rd45 at 3:24 AM on January 2, 2020 [2 favorites]
I agree more more tea not more time, and a large infuser. A French press can work well, but be sure to thoroughly clean the screen and plunger first.
posted by slogger at 8:38 AM on January 3, 2020
posted by slogger at 8:38 AM on January 3, 2020
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posted by Carillon at 1:07 PM on January 1, 2020 [11 favorites]