Knowing the temperature of tea brewing, you can also become a tea master
There are many different types of tea, each with its own unique flavor, and the temperature of the water used to make the tea directly affects the taste and aroma of the tea. Understanding the water temperature of different teas is the key to making a good cup of tea. Whether it is green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea or Pu'er tea, each type of tea has its optimal brewing temperature. Next, let's explore the optimal steeping water temperature for various teas, so that every cup of your tea becomes the ultimate in enjoyment.
Green tea: fresh and natural, the shoots need to be gentle
Green tea is an unfermented tea that retains the natural green color and fresh flavor of tea. Due to the high content of tea polyphenols and vitamins in green tea, it requires a lower water temperature to brew.
Optimal brewing temperature for green tea
- Tea brewing temperature: 75-80°C
- brewing time: 1-2 minutes
Using a water temperature of 75-80°C prevents the tea from releasing too much of its bitter and astringent flavor, while retaining its fresh and crisp taste. The brewing time should not be too long, 1-2 minutes is enough to fully display the aroma and fresh flavor of green tea buds.
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Black Tea: Strong and Mellow, Warms the Heart
Black tea is a fully fermented tea, the tea leaves are fermented to a reddish brown color with a mellow taste and strong aroma. Compared with green tea, black tea requires a higher water temperature to stimulate its flavor.
The optimal brewing temperature for black tea
- Tea brewing temperature: 90-95°C
- brewing time: 3-5 minutes
Black tea is able to release its rich aroma and mellow flavor at 90-95°C water temperature. The brewing time is 3-5 minutes, which allows the black tea to release its full flavor, smooth in the mouth with a rich sweet aroma.
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Oolong Tea: The Elegant Balance of Semi-fermentation
Oolong tea is between green tea and black tea, it is a semi-fermented tea with a unique floral and fruity aroma. Oolong tea needs to be brewed at just the right temperature in order to fully reveal its complex aroma and layers of flavor.
Optimal brewing temperature for oolong tea
- Tea brewing temperature: 85-90°C
- brewing time: 2-3 minutes
Brewing oolong tea at a temperature of 85-90°C will optimize the aroma and taste of the tea. 2-3 minutes of brewing time will allow the floral and fruity aroma of oolong tea to be fully released, and the tea broth to be clear and translucent, with a long lasting flavor.
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White tea: light and refreshing, natural and pure
White tea is the least processed type of tea, retaining the most natural substances and a light and elegant flavor. Due to its simple processing, white tea requires a lower water temperature to brew in order to maintain its delicate flavor and fresh aroma.
Optimal brewing temperature for white tea
- Tea brewing temperature: 80-85°C
- brewing time: 4-5 minutes
White tea should be brewed at a temperature between 80-85°C to maximize the retention of its natural aroma and flavor. 4-5 minutes of brewing time allows the delicate flavor of white tea to be fully released and the tea broth to be light and soft.
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Yellow tea: warm and soft, unique technology
Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea, and the production process requires the "smothering" process, which gives the tea a unique sweet aroma and soft taste. The temperature of the water and the time for brewing yellow tea need to be carefully controlled in order to show its unique flavor.
The best temperature for brewing yellow tea
- Tea brewing temperature: 80-85°C
- brewing time: 2-3 minutes
Yellow tea is brewed at a water temperature of 80-85°C to bring out its sweet aroma and softness. 2-3 minutes of brewing time provides the best balance of aroma and flavor.
Pu-erh Tea: Aged Fragrance, Aged Precipitation
Pu-erh tea is a post-fermented tea that becomes stronger and more complex in flavor and aroma over time. Pu-erh tea requires a higher water temperature to brew in order to release its aged aroma that has settled over the years.
The optimal brewing temperature for Pu'er tea
- Tea brewing temperature: 95-100°C
- brewing time: 2-3 minutes
Pu-erh tea is brewed at a water temperature of 95-100°C, which enables the full release of its aged aroma and rich flavor. 2-3 minutes of brewing time will give Pu-erh tea a more mellow flavor, a smooth mouthfeel, and a long aftertaste.
summarize
Different types of tea have different brewing temperatures and times, and mastering these techniques will allow you to brew great professional-grade tea at home. No matter what kind of tea you prefer, finding the right brewing method will bring out the best flavor and aroma in your tea. The next time you make tea, remember to refer to these temperatures and times to make every cup of your tea an enjoyable moment.