Preparation: it all starts with the details
The first step in making tea is preparation, and the details make all the difference. Before starting to make tea, the tea artisan will make sure that all the tools have been cleaned and that the required tea leaves and water are ready. Tea utensils usually include a teapot, teacups, tea cups, tea strainer and tea tray.
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The choice of tea is very important, and different teas have different brewing methods. Commonly, there are green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, etc., each tea has its own unique brewing method. The choice of water is equally critical, it is best to use pure water or mineral water, so that the tea is clearer and tastes better.
Warming the Cup: Keeping the Tea Set Warm
Before the tea is officially brewed, the tea master will first warm the tea set with hot water. Warming the cups not only cleans the tea set, but also allows the temperature of the tea set to rise, preventing the tea from cooling down due to contact with the cold tea set, which affects the aroma and flavor of the tea. The method of warming the cups is very simple, pour hot water into the teapot and cups, and pour it out after a short stay.
Awakening: let the tea leaves wake up
Wake up tea is to put the right amount of tea leaves into the teapot, then quickly brew it once with the right temperature hot water, and then quickly pour out the water. This step can wash away the floating dust on the surface of the tea leaves, and at the same time allow the tea leaves to absorb water to unfold and awaken the tea flavor. Wake-up time varies from tea to tea, generally speaking, green tea and white tea have a shorter time, while black tea and oolong tea have a slightly longer time.
Brewing tea: controlling every step
The core step of making tea is brewing, and controlling the water temperature and time is key. Here are a few common ways to brew tea:
How to make green tea
Green tea is usually brewed with hot water at about 80°C. Too high a water temperature will destroy the vitamins and aroma in the tea, while too low a water temperature will not fully infuse the tea flavor. When brewing green tea, pour 80℃ hot water into the teapot and let it steep for 1-2 minutes.
How to make black tea
Black tea is suitable for brewing with hot water of 90℃-95℃. The high temperature can fully release the sweet aroma and mellow taste of black tea. When brewing black tea, put the tea leaves into the teapot first, then fill with hot water and steep for 2-3 minutes.
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How to make Oolong tea
Oolong tea needs to be brewed with hot water at 95℃-100℃. Oolong tea has a strong aroma and is resistant to many brews. The first brew can be slightly shorter, about 1 minute, the second brew can be extended to 2 minutes, and the third brew can be extended some more.
How to make white tea
White tea is suitable to be brewed with hot water around 85℃. The aroma of white tea is light, the steeping time should not be too long, 1-2 minutes is enough. The tea broth of white tea is clear and transparent, with natural floral and sweet flavor.
Tea Tasting: Sip and Drink
After brewing the tea, the process of tasting the tea is equally important. When tasting tea, you should not only taste the aroma and taste of the tea, but also observe the color and texture of the tea broth. Tea masters usually smell the aroma first, and then taste it in small sips, feeling the sweetness and aftertaste of the tea. Each type of tea has its own unique flavor, and by sipping it slowly, you can have a deeper appreciation of the beauty of tea.
Wrap-up: cleaning and maintenance
After each tea brewing, the tea master will carefully clean and maintain the tea set. Tea sets should be washed with clean water, avoiding the use of detergents, so as not to leave residual chemicals that will affect the next tea brew. After the tea set is cleaned, it should be air-dried or wiped dry with a clean cloth to avoid breeding bacteria in a humid environment.
Tips for making tea
- The temperature of the water and the time for making tea should be adjusted flexibly according to the type of tea.
- Tea sets should be chosen and used appropriately, a good tea set can enhance the experience of making tea.
- Keeping the mood happy and the environment quiet will help you better enjoy the process of making and tasting tea.
Tea artisan tea making is not only a skill, but also a way of life. Through meticulous steps and techniques, we can make a good cup of tea even at home, and feel the beauty and fun of the tea ceremony. We hope that this article can help you better understand the steps of tea ceremony, so that you can find your own share of peace and joy in the world of tea.