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I wonder what base they use for their black blends that make it so easily bitter?
That is such a good question. They apparently steep their samples with boiling water, and their samples don’t go bitter. It’s so weird. The diamond jubilee I have is apparently all black teas and also needs to be treated like a green. So disappointing, as I do not have the patience for that.
Wait – you don’t have the patience to treat it as a green? I usually pick greens over blacks (not to mention rooibos) because I don’t have the patience to wait for 3-8 minutes. I usually steep greens 1.5 minutes. (Sorry if this is a really stupid question.)
When I say ‘treat it like a green’ I don’t necessarily mean steep for less time, I mean getting the water temperature right for the leaves. I don’t have the patience to boil my water then wait around taking the temperature till its 180f or so. And now that I’m using filtered water I don’t fill my kettle, so the time I have to wait for the water to cool is different for every boil. If I had a variable temp kettle it’d be easy! (I steep almost everything 3 min unless I’m doing gongfu style or steeping an herbal.)
Oooh! I have a variable temp kettle now, but in my experience, many greens (although I mainly drink flavoured teas) steep just as well with boiling water as within the 70-80C range. With finer teas, though, I understand if this wouldn’t work. Thank you for explaining!
For me, greens cannot be steeped in boiling water. :) Doesn’t matter if its a cheap bagged tea or a fancy one.
I know that’s a pretty common perception – but how do you feel about Lupicia’s view? They themselves recommend boiling water and 1.5 minutes steeping times for nearly all their teas. (And they’re the ones that made me dare use boiling water for my greens at all!)
I’ve never had their teas so I don’t know. None of the green teas I’ve had work to my taste with boiling water.
I only boiled a green tea once, and I was surprised by how well it worked. I haven’t dared try it on an expensive tea though – maybe someday. But someday I’ll probably just spend the $60 to get the vriable temp kettle!
My kettle’s auto shut off doesn’t always work anymore, so since a variable temp kettle is about the same price as a new stainless one, I’ll be getting variable temp. Eventually. :)
I got a Bosch Styline a couple of weeks ago just to try the variable temp concept out, and I’m really enjoying how much it simplifies the whole process. Now that I’m so completely sold on it, I covet that Bonavita gooseneck one.
Ooo, that’s fancy. I’m probably going to get a $50 option from Canadian Tire. My last kettle was a gift, and is the only reason I don’t just use a pot on the stove. :)
It’s super fancy. I feel maybe I’d just stand there and sort of gaze at it shyly… and then edge out of the room slowly without ever daring to approach it.
That’s great Anna!
I’m in the same boat as OMGsrsly – my old one was a gift and I used it so much that the lid no longer closes – it won’t turn off anymore. As soon as I get job, I’ve promised myself a new kettle as a reward!
I look forward to reading all about your future kettle upgrades in the future, OMGsrsly and Cavocorax!
I wonder what base they use for their black blends that make it so easily bitter?
That is such a good question. They apparently steep their samples with boiling water, and their samples don’t go bitter. It’s so weird. The diamond jubilee I have is apparently all black teas and also needs to be treated like a green. So disappointing, as I do not have the patience for that.
Wait – you don’t have the patience to treat it as a green? I usually pick greens over blacks (not to mention rooibos) because I don’t have the patience to wait for 3-8 minutes. I usually steep greens 1.5 minutes. (Sorry if this is a really stupid question.)
When I say ‘treat it like a green’ I don’t necessarily mean steep for less time, I mean getting the water temperature right for the leaves. I don’t have the patience to boil my water then wait around taking the temperature till its 180f or so. And now that I’m using filtered water I don’t fill my kettle, so the time I have to wait for the water to cool is different for every boil. If I had a variable temp kettle it’d be easy! (I steep almost everything 3 min unless I’m doing gongfu style or steeping an herbal.)
Oooh! I have a variable temp kettle now, but in my experience, many greens (although I mainly drink flavoured teas) steep just as well with boiling water as within the 70-80C range. With finer teas, though, I understand if this wouldn’t work. Thank you for explaining!
For me, greens cannot be steeped in boiling water. :) Doesn’t matter if its a cheap bagged tea or a fancy one.
I know that’s a pretty common perception – but how do you feel about Lupicia’s view? They themselves recommend boiling water and 1.5 minutes steeping times for nearly all their teas. (And they’re the ones that made me dare use boiling water for my greens at all!)
I’ve never had their teas so I don’t know. None of the green teas I’ve had work to my taste with boiling water.
I only boiled a green tea once, and I was surprised by how well it worked. I haven’t dared try it on an expensive tea though – maybe someday. But someday I’ll probably just spend the $60 to get the vriable temp kettle!
My kettle’s auto shut off doesn’t always work anymore, so since a variable temp kettle is about the same price as a new stainless one, I’ll be getting variable temp. Eventually. :)
I got a Bosch Styline a couple of weeks ago just to try the variable temp concept out, and I’m really enjoying how much it simplifies the whole process. Now that I’m so completely sold on it, I covet that Bonavita gooseneck one.
Ooo, that’s fancy. I’m probably going to get a $50 option from Canadian Tire. My last kettle was a gift, and is the only reason I don’t just use a pot on the stove. :)
It’s super fancy. I feel maybe I’d just stand there and sort of gaze at it shyly… and then edge out of the room slowly without ever daring to approach it.
That’s great Anna!
I’m in the same boat as OMGsrsly – my old one was a gift and I used it so much that the lid no longer closes – it won’t turn off anymore. As soon as I get job, I’ve promised myself a new kettle as a reward!
I look forward to reading all about your future kettle upgrades in the future, OMGsrsly and Cavocorax!