Re-using tea bags?

[Militis]

Okay, I just saw the pole and I got curious. I drink a lot of tea (mainly cause I like it and partly because we happen to have a whole cupboard full of it). But I have a few questions for the tea drinkers of the forum. I have re-used tea bags before because it seams wasteful to use one bag out of a box of six and just throw it away. It isn't as strong as the first time, but if brewed long enough is almost the same. I was wondering if you get the same nutrients and affects after the first time. I would probably only want to re-use it once, but I haven't tried it a third time so I don't know what it is like. Has anyone tried a third time? Is is ok? Does anyone else think it is worth it to re-use tea bags?

And another thing. I realize that living in America yields drinking tea from major companies and so they are never as good as homemade tea like in China or Japan. I was wondering if there is another way to make tea. I have only seen it done by sticking a tea bag into hot water and letting it sit. How did it used to be done? If you just stuck a bunch of leaves and herbs into hot water, you would have to pick out all of the leaves, so I don't get how it was efficiently done 1000 years ago. Thanks for the help.

[Unkotare]

You just put the tea leaves in a kyusu, pour hot water over them, put the lid on, wait a few minutes, and you're in business.

Some have a filter at the base of the spout that keeps the leaves from pouring into your cup overly much.

[Militis]

Originally Posted by Unkotare

You just put the tea leaves in a kyusu, pour hot water over them, put the lid on, wait a few minutes, and you're in business.

Some have a filter at the base of the spout that keeps the leaves from pouring into your cup overly much.

If you don't mind my asking, what is a kyusu?

[Unkotare]

http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/images/d_762.jpg

[Militis]

Originally Posted by Unkotare

http://www.rishi-tea.com/store/images/d_762.jpg

Thank you.

OK, now that this thread has lost purpose, what is your favorite kind of tea? Mine is green tea. I know, I am boring.

[Unkotare]

.......................


Mugicha (barley tea)

[N.B]

Originally Posted by Militis

I have re-used tea bags before because it seams wasteful to use one bag out of a box of six and just throw it away.

Box of six! Can't you get boxes which contain 50+ bags of tea? Or are you buying some top notch stuff which you can only purchased in small amounts? You could always compost the bags once you've finished with them that way there isn't so much of a waste.

Originally Posted by Militis

And another thing. I realize that living in America yields drinking tea from major companies and so they are never as good as homemade tea like in China or Japan.

Well the plus side of buying home grown teas is you can rest assured that they (usually) haven't clocked up as many airmiles get to you, if you're in to the whole environmental thing.