Tea darkens as it sits? I poured my first cup right away and found it very light. I came back 20 minutes later for my second cup and the tea was much darker.
1776750
it's the evaporation of the water, particularly if you engage the heater. This is a real problem for me, as it also increases the caffine level (and alters the taste). It's a flaw, i'm afraid.
1776751
If you leave the tea on the "keep warm" setting it will darken and the flavor will change somewhat. The tea is best kept off the heat for long periods. Tea is best when consumed right after brewing.
1776752
After brewing and the basket lifts, the tea continurs to drip down from the basket it makes it stronger. I love strong tea. But you can remove the basket wnen it lifts and that should solve the problem. Good luck and best wishes, Renfield
1776753
You are right it does get darker. I found, believe it or not; if I push the keep warm button it doesnt darken as much, but I usually only make 2 cups at a time. I would rather brew more often for fresher tea.
1776754
I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot fresher for longer. I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot... » Read More I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot fresher for longer. « Show Less
1776755
I believe some of this has to do with oxidation of the tea while it sits. Tea really should be drank shortly after it's made. The keep warm feature is helpful, but I try not to let my tea sit for too long. It's much better to brew a smaller pot if you won't drink it all right away. What I've found helpful if I do want a pot to drink throughout the day is to have a stainless vacuum carafe on hand. Instead of letting the tea sit in the pot, I'll move it to the carafe and close it up. It keeps the tea hotter, keeps air from getting to the tea and blocks out light. I think it keeps a full pot fresher for longer.
1279779
Sorry, I should've got to you sooner. I poured tea on it and then rubbed it on dried ink and it didn't run. This experiment was interesting for me as well. Thank you very much for your question.mike
2257023
It depends on how strong you like it. I use a small tea pot (microwave until it is nearly boiling,) and then I dump the aluminum tea ball that I fill half full with tea, & place the ball in the pot for about 5 minutes. It comes out just the way I like it. I do not like a real dark tea, I like mine mostly a dark amber color & I use about 1 scant teaspoon of sugar (the raw kind). Also I like my tea in a china cup. Fussy with my tea for an old country gal, huh?.
621699
i don't think so as we get it regularly and have not seen a difference in the last batch that came this week. May be because of the weather, when it is solid the color seems lighter, when it gets warm inside it becomes more liquid like and hence darker too.
1559239
You should definitely notice a difference after the first use. Not sure how stained "dark" is, but for the price, I think it's worth a try!
1279777
OK, I didn't watch it long enough. Once the tea soaked in it did blur, sorry about the wrong info, I should've watched the experiment longer. Thanks, mike
283756
I suggest you use another tea pot instead of the glass tea pot. I picked my favorite teapot at Cost Plus and have been using it since day one.
1731272
Being scientifically challenged, this has happened to me. If I pour the water in, then put the lids on in the wrong order, I have had this issue. For me, put hot liquid in with tea. Next, add the two lids. Let teas brew. It should work then. Best of luck. I adore this cup!
17765
It's dark espresso. Put it beside black, and you can see the difference. Stick it into a relatively dark space in a room, and it may look black.
1223337
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: i am trying it literally as I am typing this since that idea never came to me. the tea is very light in color so in the future i might mix it with other tea(s). But it does taste good. No off-notes of any kind
1568699
If it is sun tea outside I leave it all day. But it brews sooner than that. If I am using it inside and using boiling water it takes as long as a normal pot of tea. But then I let it sit until it cools a little and chill it in the refrigerator. I hope this helps, I've never timed it.
2135366
Hi, I spoon the loose leaves into the pot and boil for a few minutes. Then I strain and refill with water and make a second brew. You can also use a tea infuser if you like. The beautyof this tea is that overboiling it doesn't produce the bitter tanins that are associated with regular green and black teas. Enjoy.
1746077
I just steep the leaves. If you like weaker tea- 1 minute and if you like stronger tea- 3-4 minutes. I would think boiling the leaves would make the tea very bitter- have not heard of this method.
822868
Not that I noticed. I drink it because I usually brew enough for two cups at a time.It is the only tea I've found that is drinkable after being reheated. Of course the fresh cup tastes far better but the reheated cup is at least drinkable. Of course it is always best to brew fresh each time but I'm too lazy sometimes ;-}
135406
Sorry Kim, I am not online often. No, we have not noticed any problem with a smell or taste. It is hard to see the fill gauge but other than that it is much faster than our old one and I love the different settings for the different types of tea. I thought I hated green tea but made at a lower temperature water, it is great. That has been a neat feature I did not know I needed.
1342234
I am sorry you have had problems with your coffee maker...Have you made sure the beans are on fine grind and the cup selection is on the darkest...I love coffee and this coffee maker does make good strong coffee it is a hair lighter than an espresso. Maybe you should look at espresso machines too.
1604354
I see someone else already responded, but I'd like to add that it's quite simple in that you could put as many or as little tea bags you want, maybe add in a few herbal or green teas, and place in sunshine until it is dark (the other answer gave the advice of no more than 4 hours, but I've never had problems with it if it goes over that if I forget to bring it in.) Personally, I like to make it strong because it will become dilute once you pour it over ice in your glass. If it helps to get you started, I like to add approximately 6 -8 tea bags to a gallon of water, sit it out in the sun in the morning, and you're good to go by afternoon. Enjoy! I see someone else already responded, but I'd like to add that it's quite simple in that you could put as many or as little tea bags you want, maybe add in a few herbal or green teas, and place in sunshine until it is dark (the other answer gave the advice of no more than 4 hours, but I've never had problems with it if it goes over that if I forget to bring it in.) Personally, I like to make it strong because it will become dilute once you pour it over ice in your glass. If it helps to get you started, I like to add approximately 6 -8 tea bags to a gallon of water, sit it out in the sun in... » Read More I see someone else already responded, but I'd like to add that it's quite simple in that you could put as many or as little tea bags you want, maybe add in a few herbal or green teas, and place in sunshine until it is dark (the other answer gave the advice of no more than 4 hours, but I've never had problems with it if it goes over that if I forget to bring it in.) Personally, I like to make it strong because it will become dilute once you pour it over ice in your glass. If it helps to get you started, I like to add approximately 6 -8 tea bags to a gallon of water, sit it out in the sun in the morning, and you're good to go by afternoon. Enjoy! « Show Less