Understanding the basics of green tea
Making a good cup of green tea starts with understanding the basics of green tea. Green tea is unfermented tea, which retains the most original flavor and nutrients of tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and a variety of beneficial ingredients that help boost immunity and fight aging. In order to brew a perfect cup of green tea, it is important to choose quality green tea leaves and master proper brewing techniques.
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How to choose quality green tea
To brew a good green tea, tea selection is the key. There are many types of green tea on the market, including Longjing, Biluochun, Maofeng, etc. Each type of green tea has its own unique aroma and flavor. When selecting green tea, you can pay attention to the following points:
- look at the shape: Good quality green tea has a neat shape, bright green color and fine hairs on the surface. The more tender the tea leaves, the higher the quality.
- scent: Fresh green tea has a refreshing aroma with no off-flavors or stale taste.
- taste: Premium green tea is fresh in the mouth with a sweet aftertaste. If you are in a position to do so, you can try it before deciding to buy it.
The right steps to make green tea
Brewing green tea may seem simple, but it takes some skill to get the best flavor. Every aspect of the process is important, from choosing the water, controlling the temperature, and brewing the tea for the right amount of time.
Choosing the right water
Water is the key to making tea, and the quality of water directly affects the flavor of tea. The best choice for green tea is soft water, such as mineral water or pure water. If you use tap water, it is recommended that it be filtered first. The impurities and hardness of the water will affect the fragrance and flavor of the tea.
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Control of water temperature
Green tea is very sensitive to the water temperature, the water temperature is too high will destroy the nutrients in the tea, the water temperature is too low can not fully release the tea flavor. Generally speaking, the best water temperature for green tea is between 80℃-85℃. You can boil the water first, and then leave it for a few minutes to bring the water temperature down to the right range.
Amount of tea and ratio of tea to water
The amount of tea and the ratio of tea to water directly affect the strength of the tea. Generally speaking, the amount of tea leaves used for each brew is about 3 grams, and the ratio of tea to water is about 1:50, which can be adjusted according to personal taste, but avoid too much or too little, so as not to affect the taste of the tea.
Tea brewing time
The brewing time of green tea should not be too long, usually 1-2 minutes is appropriate. Too long time will make the tea soup become bitter, affecting the taste. The first bubble can be slightly shorter, the second bubble, the third bubble time can be appropriately extended, but should not exceed 3 minutes.
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Detailed steps for making green tea
- thermos flask: Wash the tea set in hot water to warm the cups and to remove odors from the tea set.
- throw in tea (esp. for tea leaves): Place an appropriate amount of green tea leaves in a teacup or teapot.
- moisturize tea: Pour in a small amount of hot water and pour it out quickly. This step is called moistening the tea, which washes away the floating dust on the surface of the tea leaves while awakening them.
- brewing: Pour in hot water again, between 80℃-85℃, the amount of water should be no more than the tea leaves, cover the lid.
- set aside: Allow to sit for 1-2 minutes to allow the tea leaves to fully unfold and release the tea flavor.
- pour: Pour the tea broth into a fair cup and distribute it evenly into each cup to avoid uneven tea flavor.
How to store green tea
In order to maintain the freshness and aroma of green tea, proper storage methods are also very important. Green tea should be stored airtight to avoid moisture and adsorption of odors. It is best to store green tea in a cool, dry place, and ziplock bags or airtight jars are good choices. If available, green tea can be chilled in the refrigerator, but care should be taken to prevent the tea from getting damp.
Different ways to brew green tea
Different types of green tea have different brewing methods, the following is an introduction to several common green tea brewing method.
Longjing (tea)
Longjing tea is one of the most famous green teas with elegant aroma and fresh flavor. When brewing Longjing tea, the water temperature should be controlled at about 80℃, the amount of tea thrown is about 3 grams, and the brewing time is 1-2 minutes. A small amount of hot water can be brewed to moisten the tea before formal brewing.
Bigelow Spring
Biluochun tea leaves are tender and have a strong aroma. When brewing Bigelow Spring, the water temperature can be slightly lower, controlled between 75℃-80℃. The amount of tea thrown is about 2 grams, and the brewing time is about 1 minute. You can use a transparent glass cup to brew Bigelow Spring and enjoy the beautiful gesture of the tea leaves slowly unfolding in the water.
Maofeng tea
Maofeng tea, also known as Huangshan Maofeng, is a delicate tea with a delicious flavor. When brewing Mao Feng tea, the water temperature is controlled between 80℃-85℃, the amount of tea thrown is about 3 grams, and the brewing time is 1-2 minutes. You can use segmented brewing method, first pour one-third of the hot water to moisten the tea leaves, and then fill up the hot water.
concluding remarks
Brewing green tea is an art that requires patience and care. By brewing tea the right way, you can maximize the aroma and taste of the tea and enjoy the health benefits of green tea. We hope this article will help you master the art of brewing green tea and make every cup of green tea a wonderful treat. Whether you are sipping tea alone or sharing it with friends, making a good cup of tea is a wonderful life experience.
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