The Case for Multiple Steepings
You may already know that tea is one of the best beverage bargains there is — a power-packed flavor sensation for only pennies per cup. But did you also know that you can increase that bargain by three or four-fold? Not only that, but you can encounter layers and layers of new flavor notes in an everyday favorite that you thought you knew by heart. To this end, we would like to introduce the practice of multiple steepings.
Can you reuse tea leaves?
While each of the different tea types holds up well to multiple steepings, Oolong teas, such as our Formosa Spring Dragon and Formosa Oolong Choicest, and Pu-Erh teas, such as our Pu-Erh Leaf Tea and Pu-Erh Celestial Tribute, tend to be the stand-out multiple infusion superstars. Re-steeping does not require any additional accessories; use the same teapot or cup/mug and the same strainer or basket (if you use one) that you used to steep the original cup or pot. For each additional steeping, just increase the steeping time by about 30 to 45 seconds. Also, consistently observing the recommended water temperature for the specific type of tea you are enjoying is important for optimal results throughout the process.
Not required but inspired: have a notebook and writing utensil on hand to record and compare your findings along the way, noting the variations in the aroma and taste, as well as which flavor notes you find lingering on your tongue. You may wonder how many times you can reuse a tea bag or tea leaves? Typically, you can re-steep about 3-4 times on average as long as you enjoy the flavor of the resulting cup. The sky is the limit so experiment and push the boundaries.
The Science of Re-Steeping
The reason re-steeping works is that each of the soluble compounds, like polyphenols and amino acids, and the insoluble essential oils in tea leaves are released at different times during the steeping process. So, each time you steep the leaves, the hot water releases different layers of those compounds. This exposes different aromatics and flavor notes along the way. They may become increasingly subtle as you progress, and other notes will dissipate entirely. Multiple steepings should be enjoyed when you have time to linger in one session, as wet leaves should *not* be stored in the refrigerator.
We encourage you to take some time, experiment and see what you discover as you explore and re-explore your favorite teas. Until next time, keep sipping!