snip

> I'm struggling with Dan Cong.
> Phyll

It goes bitter when pushed too far, right? But, for me bitter is not bad. Anyway, I fill my gaiwan or gungfu pot chockablock with Dan Song and then, using water just off the boil, I do instantaneous steeps for the first several and then add seconds slowly from then on. It works for me. BLC I've ruined, DC seldom.

DC is a good example in my opinion of tea which provides, as Lew mentioned in another context, different pleasures brewed in different ways. Although I never bring the water temperature down, I do increase and decrease the amount of leaf and the length of steep occasionally to vary the taste and style: Generally, pushed harder, I get more bitterness and more finish. But, pushed like that, there can be a harshness up front.

Just my random thoughts.

Michael