green tea
Green tea is an unfermented tea, the leaves are tender and need to be brewed at a lower water temperature. Generally speaking, green tea should be brewed at a temperature between 80°C and 85°C. If the water temperature is too high, it will destroy the vitamin C and polyphenols in green tea and make the tea soup bitter. Therefore, it is recommended to boil the water first, and then leave it for a period of time until the water temperature drops to a suitable temperature before brewing green tea.
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plain tea
White tea is also an unfermented tea with more delicate leaves, making it suitable for brewing at a much lower water temperature. Usually, the optimal brewing temperature for white tea is between 70°C and 75°C. Too high a water temperature will also destroy the nutrients in white tea and cause the tea to lose its unique aroma and flavor. Higher water temperatures will also destroy the nutrients in white tea and make the tea lose its characteristic fragrance and sweetness.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea is between green tea and black tea, and is a semi-fermented tea. Oolong tea requires a slightly higher water temperature, generally between 80°C and 95°C. The higher temperature can fully release the rich aroma and unique flavor of oolong tea, but it should not be too high, otherwise it will affect the soup. Higher water temperature can fully release the rich aroma and unique flavor of oolong tea, but it should not be too high, otherwise it will affect the freshness of the tea soup.
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black tea
Black tea is a fully fermented tea, the tea is heat resistant and can be brewed in water close to the boiling point. The best brewing temperature for black tea is between 95°C and 100°C. The high temperature can fully stimulate the aroma and color of black tea, making the tea mellow and rich. High temperature can fully stimulate the aroma and color of black tea, making the tea soup mellow and rich.
Black Tea (Puerh Tea)
After post-fermentation treatment, black tea leaves are coarse and old, and can be brewed with boiling water. The best brewing temperature for Puerh tea is between 95°C and 100°C. Higher temperatures can better release the unique aged aroma and rich flavor of Puerh tea.
herb tea
Herbal teas do not contain theophylline and usually need to be brewed in boiling water to fully release their flavor and nutrients. The optimal brewing temperature for herbal teas is 100°C. This allows the various herbal ingredients to fully dissolve in the water for optimal flavor and health benefits.
The Importance of Cooldowns
When brewing tea, it is important to pay attention not only to the temperature of the water, but also to the cooling time. Even if the tea is freshly brewed, do not drink it immediately as too high a temperature may burn your mouth and throat. Studies have shown that overheated drinks may increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to leave the brewed tea for a few minutes until the temperature of the tea drops to a suitable temperature for drinking.
How to Measure Water Temperature
For more precise control of water temperature, you can use an electric kettle or teapot with temperature control. If you don't have one of these devices, you can also determine the water temperature by watching the water boil. When the water first starts to show small bubbles, it is about 70°C; when the bubbles become larger and start to rise rapidly, it is about 80°C to 90°C; and when it is fully boiling, it is close to 100°C.
summarize
Knowing the optimal brewing water temperature for your tea is the key to making a great cup of tea. Different types of tea require different water temperatures to fully release its aroma and flavor. We hope that through the introduction of this article, you can better enjoy the good time brought by tea.