Hello,

I have recently gotten back into tea after a several-year teabag hiatus
(due to laziness). I was really irritated at how tinny my tea tasted
from the tea ball, and I tried those do-it-yourself tea bags with loose
leaf tea, but the space was simply too cramped (esp. if brewing more
than one cup at a time).

Anyway, I recently bought the Teeli infuser basket (medium size) and
had been brewing cup-by-cup (6 oz teacup). Results: excellent. The
problems began when I wanted to make tea for my girlfriend as well,
i.e. 2 cups at a time.

So I went out and bought a 2-cup teapot (although in reality it holds
16 oz, which is like 2 and 2/3 cups). The infuser almost fits into it,
though to push it all the way in requires some flex of the plastic
frame. In a way, that is excellent in its own right because it produces
a fairly tight seal to keep the heat in while brewing -- and I use the
Teeli infusers little black lid during the brewing process.

Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups' worth of
water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water level comes almost
all the way up the mesh of the infuser. That's great. However, I
usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups' worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in
only 12 oz. of water, the water definitely rises above the height of
the *dry* leaves, but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy
of the full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

So my question is this: assuming I use about 2 tsp worth of dry leaf,
and the water level not only covers the dry leaf, but rises a bit more
than halfway up the infuser, is that enough space and is that a proper
spatial configuration for a proper infusion? I'm sort of ignorant of
the technical and scientific aspects of it.

My observations are that when I brew in a single-cup with the infuser,
and fill the water almost all the way to the top, the leaves are
usually lurking around at the bottom anyway (for black teas). So it
shouldn't make too much difference in the 2-cup pot, when there isn't
a lot of water *on top* of the leaves. Presumably in the pot since
there is much more space *around* (i.e. outside the infuser basket to
the sides), that the flavours and chemical goodies of the tea infuse
outward that way.

But I am concerned about green teas. Greens usually seem to have a much
higher proportion of leaves that float to the top of the infuser
basket, whether I fill it up all the way, or halfway. Also, the
unfurled leaf sizes in greens tend to be enormous (I am using sencha
and gyokuro, mainly). So I am worried that with 2 tsps my teeli infuser
is over-matched in that specific pot.

Of course the easiest thing to do to ease my mind is just to fill the
pot nearly all the way, which means 16 oz. But I really don't want to
get 2 decent cups, and then 2/3's of a cup of "dregs" -- drank after,
and tending to be dusty and tannic. Also, I would have to use at least
2.5 teaspoons of tea, and I would rather not waste tea.

So... is it simply enough to "cover" the tea leaves with water
(ignoring the ones that float to the top)? Keep in mind that when I
re-steep and the leaves are already wet and engorged, the water level
still rises above the level of the leaves. So should I be concerned
about the gravity aspect? Is it simply enough for there to be lots of
water space around the sides, on the inside of the pot?

Would appreciate any advice on this subject. Thanking you all in
advance for your sinentic wisdom...

wrote:
Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups'
worth of water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water
level comes almost all the way up the mesh of the infuser.
That's great. However, I usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups'
worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in only 12 oz. of water, the
water definitely rises above the height of the *dry* leaves,
but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy of the
full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

Good god, man, tea isn't this complicated. Just get a small tea
pot or a Japanese kyuusu. Maybe a mesh strainer for when you
pour into the cups. That's it, that's all you need.

--crymad

wrote:
Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups'
worth of water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water
level comes almost all the way up the mesh of the infuser.
That's great. However, I usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups'
worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in only 12 oz. of water, the
water definitely rises above the height of the *dry* leaves,
but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy of the
full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

Good god, man, tea isn't this complicated. Just get a small tea
pot or a Japanese kyuusu. Maybe a mesh strainer for when you
pour into the cups. That's it, that's all you need.

--crymad

I keep two pots and two infusers. Me no have to think.

A Chatsford (for smaller volumes, they come in several sizes) and a standard
store-bought one quart porcelain pot and a large "Swiss gold tea filter"
(from Stash) for larger volumes.

Warren

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I have recently gotten back into tea after a several-year teabag hiatus
(due to laziness). I was really irritated at how tinny my tea tasted
from the tea ball, and I tried those do-it-yourself tea bags with loose
leaf tea, but the space was simply too cramped (esp. if brewing more
than one cup at a time).

Anyway, I recently bought the Teeli infuser basket (medium size) and
had been brewing cup-by-cup (6 oz teacup). Results: excellent. The
problems began when I wanted to make tea for my girlfriend as well,
i.e. 2 cups at a time.

So I went out and bought a 2-cup teapot (although in reality it holds
16 oz, which is like 2 and 2/3 cups). The infuser almost fits into it,
though to push it all the way in requires some flex of the plastic
frame. In a way, that is excellent in its own right because it produces
a fairly tight seal to keep the heat in while brewing -- and I use the
Teeli infusers little black lid during the brewing process.

Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups' worth of
water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water level comes almost
all the way up the mesh of the infuser. That's great. However, I
usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups' worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in
only 12 oz. of water, the water definitely rises above the height of
the *dry* leaves, but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy
of the full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

So my question is this: assuming I use about 2 tsp worth of dry leaf,
and the water level not only covers the dry leaf, but rises a bit more
than halfway up the infuser, is that enough space and is that a proper
spatial configuration for a proper infusion? I'm sort of ignorant of
the technical and scientific aspects of it.

My observations are that when I brew in a single-cup with the infuser,
and fill the water almost all the way to the top, the leaves are
usually lurking around at the bottom anyway (for black teas). So it
shouldn't make too much difference in the 2-cup pot, when there isn't
a lot of water *on top* of the leaves. Presumably in the pot since
there is much more space *around* (i.e. outside the infuser basket to
the sides), that the flavours and chemical goodies of the tea infuse
outward that way.

But I am concerned about green teas. Greens usually seem to have a much
higher proportion of leaves that float to the top of the infuser
basket, whether I fill it up all the way, or halfway. Also, the
unfurled leaf sizes in greens tend to be enormous (I am using sencha
and gyokuro, mainly). So I am worried that with 2 tsps my teeli infuser
is over-matched in that specific pot.

Of course the easiest thing to do to ease my mind is just to fill the
pot nearly all the way, which means 16 oz. But I really don't want to
get 2 decent cups, and then 2/3's of a cup of "dregs" -- drank after,
and tending to be dusty and tannic. Also, I would have to use at least
2.5 teaspoons of tea, and I would rather not waste tea.

So... is it simply enough to "cover" the tea leaves with water
(ignoring the ones that float to the top)? Keep in mind that when I
re-steep and the leaves are already wet and engorged, the water level
still rises above the level of the leaves. So should I be concerned
about the gravity aspect? Is it simply enough for there to be lots of
water space around the sides, on the inside of the pot?

Would appreciate any advice on this subject. Thanking you all in
advance for your sinentic wisdom...

I keep two pots and two infusers. Me no have to think.

A Chatsford (for smaller volumes, they come in several sizes) and a standard
store-bought one quart porcelain pot and a large "Swiss gold tea filter"
(from Stash) for larger volumes.

Warren

wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I have recently gotten back into tea after a several-year teabag hiatus
(due to laziness). I was really irritated at how tinny my tea tasted
from the tea ball, and I tried those do-it-yourself tea bags with loose
leaf tea, but the space was simply too cramped (esp. if brewing more
than one cup at a time).

Anyway, I recently bought the Teeli infuser basket (medium size) and
had been brewing cup-by-cup (6 oz teacup). Results: excellent. The
problems began when I wanted to make tea for my girlfriend as well,
i.e. 2 cups at a time.

So I went out and bought a 2-cup teapot (although in reality it holds
16 oz, which is like 2 and 2/3 cups). The infuser almost fits into it,
though to push it all the way in requires some flex of the plastic
frame. In a way, that is excellent in its own right because it produces
a fairly tight seal to keep the heat in while brewing -- and I use the
Teeli infusers little black lid during the brewing process.

Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups' worth of
water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water level comes almost
all the way up the mesh of the infuser. That's great. However, I
usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups' worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in
only 12 oz. of water, the water definitely rises above the height of
the *dry* leaves, but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy
of the full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

So my question is this: assuming I use about 2 tsp worth of dry leaf,
and the water level not only covers the dry leaf, but rises a bit more
than halfway up the infuser, is that enough space and is that a proper
spatial configuration for a proper infusion? I'm sort of ignorant of
the technical and scientific aspects of it.

My observations are that when I brew in a single-cup with the infuser,
and fill the water almost all the way to the top, the leaves are
usually lurking around at the bottom anyway (for black teas). So it
shouldn't make too much difference in the 2-cup pot, when there isn't
a lot of water *on top* of the leaves. Presumably in the pot since
there is much more space *around* (i.e. outside the infuser basket to
the sides), that the flavours and chemical goodies of the tea infuse
outward that way.

But I am concerned about green teas. Greens usually seem to have a much
higher proportion of leaves that float to the top of the infuser
basket, whether I fill it up all the way, or halfway. Also, the
unfurled leaf sizes in greens tend to be enormous (I am using sencha
and gyokuro, mainly). So I am worried that with 2 tsps my teeli infuser
is over-matched in that specific pot.

Of course the easiest thing to do to ease my mind is just to fill the
pot nearly all the way, which means 16 oz. But I really don't want to
get 2 decent cups, and then 2/3's of a cup of "dregs" -- drank after,
and tending to be dusty and tannic. Also, I would have to use at least
2.5 teaspoons of tea, and I would rather not waste tea.

So... is it simply enough to "cover" the tea leaves with water
(ignoring the ones that float to the top)? Keep in mind that when I
re-steep and the leaves are already wet and engorged, the water level
still rises above the level of the leaves. So should I be concerned
about the gravity aspect? Is it simply enough for there to be lots of
water space around the sides, on the inside of the pot?

Would appreciate any advice on this subject. Thanking you all in
advance for your sinentic wisdom...

On 18 Dec 2004 23:11:35 -0800, wrote:

Would appreciate any advice on this subject. Thanking you all in
advance for your sinentic wisdom...

You don't have to fill the infuser for best effect.

I used to use a Teeli infuser with mugs of tea. The infuser stood a
couple of inches above the top of the mug. I simply poured in as much
water as the mug would hold.

Now days, I use something different. But I almost always make it
double strength and then dilute it before serving.

I think your concerns may have gotten the best of you. If the tea
tastes good to you, you're doing it right.

--
Derek

It's difficult to comprehend how insane some people can be.
Especially when you're insane.

Wow, my head is spinning. Here's what you need to do to make tea. G

1. Get a tea pot
2. Dump some tea leaves in it
3. Pour boiling water in it, wait a while then drink it.

I've found that this method works best for me.

wrote:

Hello,

I have recently gotten back into tea after a several-year teabag hiatus
(due to laziness). I was really irritated at how tinny my tea tasted
from the tea ball, and I tried those do-it-yourself tea bags with loose
leaf tea, but the space was simply too cramped (esp. if brewing more
than one cup at a time).

Anyway, I recently bought the Teeli infuser basket (medium size) and
had been brewing cup-by-cup (6 oz teacup). Results: excellent. The
problems began when I wanted to make tea for my girlfriend as well,
i.e. 2 cups at a time.

So I went out and bought a 2-cup teapot (although in reality it holds
16 oz, which is like 2 and 2/3 cups). The infuser almost fits into it,
though to push it all the way in requires some flex of the plastic
frame. In a way, that is excellent in its own right because it produces
a fairly tight seal to keep the heat in while brewing -- and I use the
Teeli infusers little black lid during the brewing process.

Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups' worth of
water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water level comes almost
all the way up the mesh of the infuser. That's great. However, I
usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups' worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in
only 12 oz. of water, the water definitely rises above the height of
the *dry* leaves, but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy
of the full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

So my question is this: assuming I use about 2 tsp worth of dry leaf,
and the water level not only covers the dry leaf, but rises a bit more
than halfway up the infuser, is that enough space and is that a proper
spatial configuration for a proper infusion? I'm sort of ignorant of
the technical and scientific aspects of it.

My observations are that when I brew in a single-cup with the infuser,
and fill the water almost all the way to the top, the leaves are
usually lurking around at the bottom anyway (for black teas). So it
shouldn't make too much difference in the 2-cup pot, when there isn't
a lot of water *on top* of the leaves. Presumably in the pot since
there is much more space *around* (i.e. outside the infuser basket to
the sides), that the flavours and chemical goodies of the tea infuse
outward that way.

But I am concerned about green teas. Greens usually seem to have a much
higher proportion of leaves that float to the top of the infuser
basket, whether I fill it up all the way, or halfway. Also, the
unfurled leaf sizes in greens tend to be enormous (I am using sencha
and gyokuro, mainly). So I am worried that with 2 tsps my teeli infuser
is over-matched in that specific pot.

Of course the easiest thing to do to ease my mind is just to fill the
pot nearly all the way, which means 16 oz. But I really don't want to
get 2 decent cups, and then 2/3's of a cup of "dregs" -- drank after,
and tending to be dusty and tannic. Also, I would have to use at least
2.5 teaspoons of tea, and I would rather not waste tea.

So... is it simply enough to "cover" the tea leaves with water
(ignoring the ones that float to the top)? Keep in mind that when I
re-steep and the leaves are already wet and engorged, the water level
still rises above the level of the leaves. So should I be concerned
about the gravity aspect? Is it simply enough for there to be lots of
water space around the sides, on the inside of the pot?

Would appreciate any advice on this subject. Thanking you all in
advance for your sinentic wisdom...

Wow, my head is spinning. Here's what you need to do to make tea. G

1. Get a tea pot
2. Dump some tea leaves in it
3. Pour boiling water in it, wait a while then drink it.

I've found that this method works best for me.

wrote:

Hello,

I have recently gotten back into tea after a several-year teabag hiatus
(due to laziness). I was really irritated at how tinny my tea tasted
from the tea ball, and I tried those do-it-yourself tea bags with loose
leaf tea, but the space was simply too cramped (esp. if brewing more
than one cup at a time).

Anyway, I recently bought the Teeli infuser basket (medium size) and
had been brewing cup-by-cup (6 oz teacup). Results: excellent. The
problems began when I wanted to make tea for my girlfriend as well,
i.e. 2 cups at a time.

So I went out and bought a 2-cup teapot (although in reality it holds
16 oz, which is like 2 and 2/3 cups). The infuser almost fits into it,
though to push it all the way in requires some flex of the plastic
frame. In a way, that is excellent in its own right because it produces
a fairly tight seal to keep the heat in while brewing -- and I use the
Teeli infusers little black lid during the brewing process.

Now, the problem is this: if I actually use 2 and 2/3 teacups' worth of
water (i.e. 16 oz, approx 500 mL), then the water level comes almost
all the way up the mesh of the infuser. That's great. However, I
usually want to brew EXACTLY 2 cups' worth, i.e. 12 oz. If I pour in
only 12 oz. of water, the water definitely rises above the height of
the *dry* leaves, but the level is a little over an inch (1 1/8") shy
of the full height of the infuser basket: about 3 cm to be exact.

So my question is this: assuming I use about 2 tsp worth of dry leaf,
and the water level not only covers the dry leaf, but rises a bit more
than halfway up the infuser, is that enough space and is that a proper
spatial configuration for a proper infusion? I'm sort of ignorant of
the technical and scientific aspects of it.

My observations are that when I brew in a single-cup with the infuser,
and fill the water almost all the way to the top, the leaves are
usually lurking around at the bottom anyway (for black teas). So it
shouldn't make too much difference in the 2-cup pot, when there isn't
a lot of water *on top* of the leaves. Presumably in the pot since
there is much more space *around* (i.e. outside the infuser basket to
the sides), that the flavours and chemical goodies of the tea infuse
outward that way.

But I am concerned about green teas. Greens usually seem to have a much
higher proportion of leaves that float to the top of the infuser
basket, whether I fill it up all the way, or halfway. Also, the
unfurled leaf sizes in greens tend to be enormous (I am using sencha
and gyokuro, mainly). So I am worried that with 2 tsps my teeli infuser
is over-matched in that specific pot.

Of course the easiest thing to do to ease my mind is just to fill the
pot nearly all the way, which means 16 oz. But I really don't want to
get 2 decent cups, and then 2/3's of a cup of "dregs" -- drank after,
and tending to be dusty and tannic. Also, I would have to use at least
2.5 teaspoons of tea, and I would rather not waste tea.

So... is it simply enough to "cover" the tea leaves with water
(ignoring the ones that float to the top)? Keep in mind that when I
re-steep and the leaves are already wet and engorged, the water level
still rises above the level of the leaves. So should I be concerned
about the gravity aspect? Is it simply enough for there to be lots of
water space around the sides, on the inside of the pot?

Would appreciate any advice on this subject. Thanking you all in
advance for your sinentic wisdom...

Well, I must admit I am surprised at some of the sarcastic replies.
Especially when this newsgroup very often contains long threads about
how to calibrate thermometers to within 0.1 degrees for ideal brewing
of rare green teas.

Thank you Warren and Derek, though.

Maybe my post was too long to read and turned a lot of people off, so
here's a quick summary:

When using an infuser basket, is it ideal to have the water level so
high that the entire basket is filled to the brim, or is it simply
enough to make sure that the tea leaves themselves are covered in water
(excluding the ones that float, which will always float no matter how
high the water level is)?

That's the main issue. The space for the leaves to unfurl and be
exposed to water does not change with the water level since that's a
function of the infuser dimensions. The only difference here is that
there isn't that much water *on top* of the leaves -- but so what?
Should that really make a difference?

I'm hoping someone who knows about this sort of stuff will post a
sincere reply. I'll continue to experiment, but it would be nice to
hear some sort of authoritative answer based on science (or something
approaching that).

Well, I must admit I am surprised at some of the sarcastic replies.
Especially when this newsgroup very often contains long threads about
how to calibrate thermometers to within 0.1 degrees for ideal brewing
of rare green teas.

Thank you Warren and Derek, though.

Maybe my post was too long to read and turned a lot of people off, so
here's a quick summary:

When using an infuser basket, is it ideal to have the water level so
high that the entire basket is filled to the brim, or is it simply
enough to make sure that the tea leaves themselves are covered in water
(excluding the ones that float, which will always float no matter how
high the water level is)?

That's the main issue. The space for the leaves to unfurl and be
exposed to water does not change with the water level since that's a
function of the infuser dimensions. The only difference here is that
there isn't that much water *on top* of the leaves -- but so what?
Should that really make a difference?

I'm hoping someone who knows about this sort of stuff will post a
sincere reply. I'll continue to experiment, but it would be nice to
hear some sort of authoritative answer based on science (or something
approaching that).

When using an infuser basket, is it ideal to have the water level so
high that the entire basket is filled to the brim, or is it simply
enough to make sure that the tea leaves themselves are covered in water
(excluding the ones that float, which will always float no matter how
high the water level is)?

I would say that you need 2-3 times the height of the expanded leaf.
If you barely cover the leaf I suspect that it will not get as
thorough of an extraction. The leaf needs to move freely and not be
encumbered. This is based on experience not science.

The space for the leaves to unfurl and be
exposed to water does not change with the water level since that's a
function of the infuser dimensions.

I disagree here. The "effective" volume of the infuser basket is
limited to the height of the water, any infuser volume above the water
line is irrelevant. The volume for the leaf to expand "freely" is a
function of V = H x PI x (r x r) If you have a 3 inch diameter
infuser basket and fill it one inch with water you will give the leaf
7 cubic inches of space to expand. If you use the same 3 inch diameter
infuser and fill it up 4 inches with water you will give the leaf 28
cubic inches of volume to expand.

The only difference here is that
there isn't that much water *on top* of the leaves -- but so what?
Should that really make a difference?

It has been my "unscientific" understanding that the more room that
you allow the leaf to swim the happier the leaf is. I am sure that
there has got to be a practical limit here but I would allow at least
2-3 times the volume of the unfurled leaf.



Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net
remove the "filter" in my email address to reply

When using an infuser basket, is it ideal to have the water level so
high that the entire basket is filled to the brim, or is it simply
enough to make sure that the tea leaves themselves are covered in water
(excluding the ones that float, which will always float no matter how
high the water level is)?

I would say that you need 2-3 times the height of the expanded leaf.
If you barely cover the leaf I suspect that it will not get as
thorough of an extraction. The leaf needs to move freely and not be
encumbered. This is based on experience not science.

The space for the leaves to unfurl and be
exposed to water does not change with the water level since that's a
function of the infuser dimensions.

I disagree here. The "effective" volume of the infuser basket is
limited to the height of the water, any infuser volume above the water
line is irrelevant. The volume for the leaf to expand "freely" is a
function of V = H x PI x (r x r) If you have a 3 inch diameter
infuser basket and fill it one inch with water you will give the leaf
7 cubic inches of space to expand. If you use the same 3 inch diameter
infuser and fill it up 4 inches with water you will give the leaf 28
cubic inches of volume to expand.

The only difference here is that
there isn't that much water *on top* of the leaves -- but so what?
Should that really make a difference?

It has been my "unscientific" understanding that the more room that
you allow the leaf to swim the happier the leaf is. I am sure that
there has got to be a practical limit here but I would allow at least
2-3 times the volume of the unfurled leaf.



Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net
remove the "filter" in my email address to reply

Thanks Mike, for that reply. I

Now, I agree with what you say in part. Clearly I don't believe that
the volume of the infuser makes any difference -- it's the volume of
the water-filled part of the infuser that is important. But... and
here's what I was trying to say... when I fill the infuser in a teaCUP,
the water goes all the way to the top, however, the leaves are
basically at the bottom. Yes, they are unfurling, and they are using up
some of the volume given to them, i.e. they expand and when I'm done
infusing I note that they have expanded to maybe 3 or 4 times their dry
volume depending on leaf type. However, they obviously don't expand all
the way to the top of the infuser.

In the teaPOT, I am unable to fill the infuser all the way to the top.
However, there is about 3/4" of water above where the leaves are. I am
not "limiting" their space to expand in this way, because even with
more water, they would be settled at the bottom. My question only had
to do with whether the amount of water ABOVE the leaves allows them to
infuse faster or better or whatever. The actual expansion of the leaves
is by no means restrained (except perhaps for the most LARGE leaf
greens, like gunpowder pellets or pearls).

Does that make any sense? You still may be right, but I just wanted to
be clear.

To sum it all up, imagine that the leaves will expand to volume X. In
my tea-cup, they do this near the bottom of the teacup, because the
infuser extends all the way to the bottom. In my tea-pot, they do this
sort of suspended in the center of the water space, or maybe slightly
above the center. But their unfurled volume is clearly the same. I
think.

Thanks Mike, for that reply. I

Now, I agree with what you say in part. Clearly I don't believe that
the volume of the infuser makes any difference -- it's the volume of
the water-filled part of the infuser that is important. But... and
here's what I was trying to say... when I fill the infuser in a teaCUP,
the water goes all the way to the top, however, the leaves are
basically at the bottom. Yes, they are unfurling, and they are using up
some of the volume given to them, i.e. they expand and when I'm done
infusing I note that they have expanded to maybe 3 or 4 times their dry
volume depending on leaf type. However, they obviously don't expand all
the way to the top of the infuser.

In the teaPOT, I am unable to fill the infuser all the way to the top.
However, there is about 3/4" of water above where the leaves are. I am
not "limiting" their space to expand in this way, because even with
more water, they would be settled at the bottom. My question only had
to do with whether the amount of water ABOVE the leaves allows them to
infuse faster or better or whatever. The actual expansion of the leaves
is by no means restrained (except perhaps for the most LARGE leaf
greens, like gunpowder pellets or pearls).

Does that make any sense? You still may be right, but I just wanted to
be clear.

To sum it all up, imagine that the leaves will expand to volume X. In
my tea-cup, they do this near the bottom of the teacup, because the
infuser extends all the way to the bottom. In my tea-pot, they do this
sort of suspended in the center of the water space, or maybe slightly
above the center. But their unfurled volume is clearly the same. I
think.

On 19 Dec 2004 11:10:05 -0800, wrote:

Well, I must admit I am surprised at some of the sarcastic replies.
Especially when this newsgroup very often contains long threads about
how to calibrate thermometers to within 0.1 degrees for ideal brewing
of rare green teas.

Eh. People can be cranky around the holidays.

Thank you Warren and Derek, though.

You're welcome.

Maybe my post was too long to read and turned a lot of people off, so
here's a quick summary:

When using an infuser basket, is it ideal to have the water level so
high that the entire basket is filled to the brim, or is it simply
enough to make sure that the tea leaves themselves are covered in water
(excluding the ones that float, which will always float no matter how
high the water level is)?

It is ideal to ensure that your infuser basket and steeping vessel are
large enough that the leaves are still covered in water after steeping
and unfurling.

That may or may not be at the brim of the basket. But it's certainly
more than just barely covering the dry leaves at the beginning.

That's the main issue. The space for the leaves to unfurl and be
exposed to water does not change with the water level since that's a
function of the infuser dimensions. The only difference here is that
there isn't that much water *on top* of the leaves -- but so what?
Should that really make a difference?

I think you've erred in your geometry.

The relative volume of the cylinder of the infuser basket will indeed
increase as you raise the water level relative to the basket. However,
the ultimate measure is not the level of water relative to the basket,
but the level of water relative to the leaves after they've unfurled.

I'm hoping someone who knows about this sort of stuff will post a
sincere reply. I'll continue to experiment, but it would be nice to
hear some sort of authoritative answer based on science (or something
approaching that).

If one wished to be a real snob about it, one would not use an infuser
at all. One would use two pots and a strainer. Steeping occurs in the
first pot, which would then be poured through the strainer into the
serving pot. The leaves have the total capacity of the steeping pot to
expand and float.

Personally, 90% of the time, I'm using a contraption from Taiwan that
steeps the tea in a upper compartment, and strains the tea into the
lower compartment at the touch of a button. No fuss, no worry.

I also have 3 pots, which hardly get used by comparison.

--
Derek

"If I couldn't laugh, I couldn't stand this job for 15 minutes." --
President Abraham Lincoln