Brewing a good cup of Tieguanyin tea is more than just a simple step, it is an art. This oolong tea originating from the Fujian Province of China is known for its unique aroma and rich flavor, and is a favorite among tea lovers. Whether you are a beginner in the tea ceremony or a seasoned tea drinker, mastering the right way to brew tea will allow you to fully experience the wonderful flavor of Tieguanyin. Today, we will discuss in detail how to brew a perfect cup of Tieguanyin tea.
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Understanding Tieguanyin Tea
Tieguanyin tea is a type of oolong tea, between green tea and black tea. Its name comes from the legend of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. Tieguanyin tea is known for its unique orchid aroma and refreshingly sweet taste. The tea broth is golden yellow in color and has a mellow flavor. The tea itself is tightly knotted like a dragonfly head, dark green in color with a sandy green glow, and has high nutritional value, including antioxidants, tea polyphenols and caffeine.
Choosing Quality Tieguanyin Tea Leaves
To make a good cup of Tieguanyin tea, you first need to choose quality tea leaves. Quality Tieguanyin tea leaves are dark green in color, tightly knotted, and have a distinct orchid aroma. You can choose to buy a well-known brand of Tieguanyin tea, so that the quality is more guaranteed. When buying, you can open the package and smell it to see if there is a strong aroma, if there is, then you can basically determine that it is a good Tieguanyin tea leaves.
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Preparing the tea making tools
Brewing Tieguanyin tea requires some specific tools, including a teapot, teacups, tea tray, tea sea (for dispensing the tea), tea funnel (for filtering the tea leaves), teaspoon (for picking up the tea), and a fairing cup (for evenly distributing the tea broth). If you are new to tea making, you can start with the basic tea utensils and gradually perfect your tea making tools.
Steps to make Tieguanyin tea
The process of brewing Tieguanyin tea can be divided into several steps, each of which is important.
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1. Washing of tea sets
Before officially brewing the tea, wash all the tea utensils in hot water. This is not only to clean the tea utensils, but also to warm them so that the temperature is suitable for making tea.
2. Tea
Generally speaking, the amount of tea thrown for Tieguanyin tea is about one-fifth to one-fifth of the capacity of the teapot. The exact amount of tea thrown can be adjusted according to your personal taste. If you like a stronger tea, you can put more tea leaves, and vice versa, put less.
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3. Tea washing
Don't drink the water from the first brew, use it to wash the tea. This step removes dust and impurities from the surface of the tea leaves and also awakens the tea leaves for a stronger aroma. The water used to wash the tea only needs to be poured out immediately after brewing and does not need to be steeped for a long time.
4. Formal brewing of tea
After washing the tea, it's time to formally brew it. Brew hot water into the teapot, cover the lid and let it sit for about 20-30 seconds. The first brewing time can be shorter, and each subsequent time can be appropriately extended by a few seconds. The temperature of the water for tea brewing is usually around 95℃, too high or too low water temperature will affect the taste of the tea soup.
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5. Tea distribution
The brewed tea soup can be distributed to each tea cup through the tea sea. Use a tea strainer to filter the tea residue so that the tea broth will be clearer. Distribute the tea evenly to ensure that the tea is of the same consistency in each cup.
Taste Tieguanyin Tea
After brewing the tea, it is time to start savoring it. The aroma of Tieguanyin tea is very unique, with a light orchid fragrance in the mouth, followed by a sweet and mellow flavor with a lingering aftertaste. When tasting the tea, you can smell the aroma first, and then taste it in small sips, slowly feeling the change of the tea in your mouth.
Mastering Tea Making Skills
Although there are certain rules for brewing Tieguanyin tea, they are not set in stone. Different people have different tastes, you can adjust the temperature of the water, time and amount of tea according to your own preferences. As long as you master the basic method, try a few more times, I believe you will be able to brew your favorite Tieguanyin tea.
Tieguanyin Tea Care
Tieguanyin tea leaves should be kept fresh and need to be stored in a way that protects them from moisture and odors. It is best to place the tea in an airtight container in a cool and dry place. If the conditions allow, you can put the tea into the refrigerator, but pay attention to sealing, so as to avoid moisture deterioration.
summarize
Brewing Tieguanyin tea is a way to enjoy life. From choosing quality tea leaves to mastering the art of making tea, every step is a pleasure. We hope that through this article, you can better understand Tieguanyin tea and enjoy the fun of brewing tea in your daily life. Let's brew a cup of aromatic Tieguanyin tea together and savor the wonderful taste!
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