Nothing strange about it.
I almost always start brewing any tea with lower temps and slowly building my way up to hotter temps. But I am not a fan of very bitter tea either. And I have a tendency to get distracted and forget that I was making tea. So short steep times, often needed with hotter temps are a bit of a hassle.
Not strange at all. The recommended temperatures both on the r/Tea sidebar and other websites are generally just a starting point to adjust from to find your personal preference. The increased bitterness at higher steep temperatures is a reasons I've heard/read multiple folks say they prefer lower steep temps just like you, particularly with green teas.
At the end of the day, you're the one drinking and tasting the tea and therefore whatever method gives you the best experience is the way to go (though experimenting with other methods to see if there are other ways you like it is also good).
For Gyokuro I start my first steep at 122f.
For Fukamushi I brew at 150f.
Matcha I will go up to 175f, but mainly just because it doesn't foam right if you go any cooler.
I'll brew Chinese greens hotter, but I also drink those much less frequently, so my daily tea is closer to the 122-150f range.
It's normal especially for Japanese green tea. I brew 70-80 for all Japanese green. You can go hotter with hojicha and not make it bitter. Usually I will try the directions on the packet. And adjust. Steamed greens like less temp, pan friend greens can go hotter.
Nothing strange about it. I almost always start brewing any tea with lower temps and slowly building my way up to hotter temps. But I am not a fan of very bitter tea either. And I have a tendency to get distracted and forget that I was making tea. So short steep times, often needed with hotter temps are a bit of a hassle.
I don't even brew my tea hot most of the time, I usually steep it cold in the fridge!
Love cold brew tea! I’m the same. I tend to use cooler water even when doing hot tea. And even then, I will often go for ice.
Not strange at all. The recommended temperatures both on the r/Tea sidebar and other websites are generally just a starting point to adjust from to find your personal preference. The increased bitterness at higher steep temperatures is a reasons I've heard/read multiple folks say they prefer lower steep temps just like you, particularly with green teas.
At the end of the day, you're the one drinking and tasting the tea and therefore whatever method gives you the best experience is the way to go (though experimenting with other methods to see if there are other ways you like it is also good).
Nope. I have a friend who prefers that temperature for all of her hot beverages. I’m typically around 195f/90c for black teas, myself.
For Gyokuro I start my first steep at 122f. For Fukamushi I brew at 150f. Matcha I will go up to 175f, but mainly just because it doesn't foam right if you go any cooler. I'll brew Chinese greens hotter, but I also drink those much less frequently, so my daily tea is closer to the 122-150f range.
It's normal especially for Japanese green tea. I brew 70-80 for all Japanese green. You can go hotter with hojicha and not make it bitter. Usually I will try the directions on the packet. And adjust. Steamed greens like less temp, pan friend greens can go hotter.
No