oversteep
Brew tea too long
To oversteep is to steep too long, extracting unwanted bitterness or harshness.
Tea left in hot water too long becomes oversteaped, turning astringent rather than flavorful: I oversteaped the green tea and had to throw it out.
The term applies to any infusion process—coffee, herbs, grains—where timing affects the result.
Astringent plant compounds
- astringentTissue-contracting agent
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
- tannicHaving bark-derived acids
unpalatable · sharp · pungent · overbrewed · strong · potent · concentrated · overpowering
Steeping to extract essence
- teapotSteeping and serving vessel
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
- leavesTree's photosynthetic organs
- camelliaFlowering Asian evergreen shrub
sencha · oolong · pu-erh · herbal · matcha · chai · temperature · extraction
Ruined or overindulged
- wastedUsed without good result
- muddyObscured by silt
- overdoneExcessive in degree
- compromisedMade vulnerable to harm
bitter · stale · off · murky · clouded · unpleasant · unsalvageable · mistake
tannins
Astringent plant compounds
- astringentTissue-contracting agent
- acridUnpleasantly sharp-smelling
- harshUnpleasantly severe or rough
tannic · unpalatable · sharp · pungent · overbrewed · strong · potent · concentrated · overpowering · aggressive
infusion
Steeping to extract essence
camellia · sencha · oolong · pu-erh · herbal · matcha · chai · temperature · extraction · brewing
spoiled
Ruined or overindulged
compromised · bitter · stale · off · murky · clouded · unpleasant · unsalvageable · mistake · careless
prolonged
Made to last longer
- overlongExceeding appropriate length
- forgottenNo longer recalled
- excessiveSurpassing reasonable bounds
extended · minutes · duration · watchful · distracted · unattended · patience · waiting · rushed · impatient