Every time you make tea, are you also struggling with the question of how many times it is best to steep the tea? In fact, this question is not only about the flavor of the tea, but also affects the nutritional content and health benefits of the tea. In this article, we will take you to learn more about how to brew different types of tea, so that every cup of tea is just right.
The appropriate number of times to brew tea is closely related to the tea type
The first thing that needs to be made clear is that different types of tea vary greatly in their degree of resistance to brewing. Green tea, black tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea, white tea, all of these teas have different levels of brewing resistance. Understanding these differences can help you make the best choice when brewing your tea.
(Image source: Internet, deleted)
Green tea: light and fragrant, usually brewed three times
- First brew: tea aroma and best flavor.
- Second brew: slightly lighter in flavor, but still crisp.
- Third infusion: the tea flavor is obviously weakened, but there is still a certain fresh aroma.
More than three brews, the flavor and nutrients of the tea leaves have basically been exhausted, and it is no longer suitable to continue brewing.
(Image source: Internet, deleted)
Black tea: rich and sweet, four times the most appropriate brewing
- First brew: reddish color, strong aroma.
- Second infusion: sweet flavor and mellow taste.
- Third infusion: aroma slightly reduced, but still sweet and tasty.
- Fourth infusion: the flavor becomes significantly lighter, but still has the aroma of tea.
After four infusions of black tea, the flavor and aroma of the tea has basically been released.
(Image source: Internet, deleted)
Oolong tea: semi-fermented tea, suitable for brewing five times
- First brew: tea aroma and rich flavor.
- Second infusion: long-lasting aroma and mellow flavor.
- Third brew: still fragrant, slightly less flavorful.
- Fourth infusion: the taste fades, but there is still an aftertaste.
- Fifth infusion: the flavor fades, but there is still a slight aroma.
After the fifth infusion, the flavor and aroma of oolong tea will be significantly weakened, and it is no longer suitable to continue brewing.
(Image source: Internet, deleted)
Pu-erh Tea: Strong aroma of aging, strong resistance to brewing, can be brewed more than seven times
- First brew: richly aged aroma and thick flavor.
- Second infusion: the aroma is still strong and the taste is more mellow.
- Third brew: aroma and taste gradually stabilized.
- Fourth steeping: tea aroma remains, slightly less flavorful.
- Fifth infusion: still a distinct aroma and flavor.
- Sixth infusion: the taste mellows, but there is a lingering aftertaste.
- Seventh infusion and above: the flavor fades, but the aged aroma is still palpable.
For Pu-erh tea lovers, multiple brews will not affect the taste, but rather, they can experience the richness of the layers brought about by different brews.
White tea: fresh and light, best brewed four to five times
- First brew: fresh aroma and fresh taste.
- Second brew: long-lasting aroma, slightly muted flavor.
- Third brew: aroma and flavor fade.
- Fourth brew: lighter in flavor, but still with a lingering aroma.
- Fifth infusion: the flavor is significantly diminished, but there is still a slight crispness.
After five infusions of white tea, the aroma and flavor of the tea has basically been released.
The number of times the tea is steeped is also related to the temperature of the water and the time it takes to steep the tea
Effect of water temperature
Different teas require different water temperatures. Green tea should be brewed at a temperature of about 80°C; black tea needs a water temperature of about 90°C; oolong and pu-erh teas can be brewed with boiling water (100°C). Too high or too low a water temperature will affect the aroma and flavor of the tea.
The effect of tea brewing time
The duration of each brew also affects the flavor and taste of the tea. Generally speaking, the first infusion is shorter, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, and each subsequent infusion can be extended appropriately to release more tea components. The exact brewing time can be adjusted according to personal taste.
Understand how to brew tea and enjoy a better tea flavor
Each type of tea has its own unique way of brewing and savoring. Knowing the best way to brew different teas will allow you to better enjoy the aroma and flavor of each cup. Hopefully, through this article, you will find the best way to brew tea and let the aroma of tea blossom in your life.
English 
Chinese 
