What is tea brewing?
Tea brewing is actually an art, and with the right steps and methods, we can maximize the aroma and taste of tea. Whether you are a lover of green tea, black tea, oolong tea or any other kind of tea, you can use this guide to master the basic brewing techniques to enhance your tea drinking experience.
Preparation: choosing and preparing the tea set
Choosing the right tea set
The choice of tea set has a great impact on how well the tea is brewed. Common tea sets include purple clay pots, glass pots, porcelain pots and iron pots. Different tea sets are suitable for different teas, for example, purple clay pots are suitable for brewing oolong tea, while glass pots are suitable for brewing green tea as you can observe the tea leaves dancing in the water.
Cleaning Tea Set
It is very important to make sure that the tea set is clean before each brewing. Wash the tea set gently with warm water, avoiding the use of detergents that may leave a bad odor that may affect the taste of the tea. Cleaning the tea set not only ensures the purity of the tea, but also extends the life of the tea set.
How to Choose Tea
Understanding Types of Tea
Different types of tea have different brewing methods and requirements. Common types of tea include green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea and black tea. Understanding the characteristics of each type of tea and the appropriate brewing method can help you better enjoy the wonderful flavor of tea.
Buying Quality Tea
When purchasing tea, choose tea that is bright in color, pure in aroma and free from impurities. Preservation of tea is also important, try to store it in a dry, light-proof and sealed environment to maintain its freshness and aroma.
(Image source: Internet, deleted)
Correct water temperature and quality
Control of water temperature
Different teas require different water temperatures. Generally speaking, the water temperature of green tea is between 70-80℃, the water temperature of black tea is between 85-95℃, and oolong tea needs a high temperature of 95-100℃. Too high a water temperature will destroy the nutrients and aroma in the tea, while too low a water temperature will not fully release the flavor of the tea.
Choosing the right water quality
Water quality also has a great impact on the flavor of the tea broth. Generally speaking, soft water is more suitable for brewing tea as it does not interfere with the original flavor of the tea leaves. You can choose purified or mineral water to brew tea and avoid hard water or chlorinated tap water.
Brewing step by step
lit. warm cup and moisten the tea
Before formal brewing, you can warm the cup with hot water and moisten the tea leaves with a small amount of hot water. The purpose of warming the cups is to bring the temperature of the tea utensils close to the water temperature, so as to avoid the temperature difference affecting the taste of the tea soup. The purpose of moistening the tea is to wake up the tea leaves so that they can better release their aroma.
Measuring Tea
The amount of tea leaves for each brewing depends on your personal taste and the size of your tea set. Generally speaking, you need 2 grams of tea leaves for every 100 milliliters of water. You can use a teaspoon or electronic scale to measure accurately to ensure a consistent amount of tea leaves for each brew.
Pouring and soaking time
Pour the hot water evenly into the teapot or teacup, with the water flowing as smoothly as possible so as not to shock the tea leaves. Steeping time depends on the type of tea and personal taste. Green tea usually steeps for 1-3 minutes, while black and oolong teas take 3-5 minutes. Too much time will make the tea soup too strong, too little time will make the tea flavor insufficient.
taste tea
The brewed tea can be enjoyed over several infusions. The first brew usually has the strongest aroma, while the second and third brews have the richest flavor. Each sip of tea can be savored slowly to get a sense of the aroma, flavor and aftertaste of the tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the tea bitter?
Bitterness of tea soup may be due to the water temperature is too high or the steeping time is too long. Adjusting the water temperature and steeping time can reduce the bitterness of the tea. In addition, choosing good quality tea leaves can also improve the taste of tea soup.
How do I store my tea?
Tea should be stored in a dry, light-proof and airtight environment to avoid humidity and odor. Tea can be preserved in airtight jars or aluminum foil pouches and kept in a cool place. Green and white teas, in particular, need to be kept at low temperatures to maintain their freshness.
How many times can I make tea?
Most teas can be brewed 3-5 times, and each brewing time can be extended appropriately. High-quality teas such as Iron Goddess of Mercy and Pu-erh tea can be brewed even more times. As the number of times of brewing increases, the flavor of the tea soup will gradually become lighter, so you can decide the number of times of brewing according to your personal taste.
concluding remarks
Mastering the art of tea brewing will allow you to enjoy more of the aroma and flavor of tea in your daily life. Every brew is a treat and a communion with nature. We hope this guide will help you better understand and master the art of tea brewing, and enjoy the peace and pleasure that every cup of tea brings.
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