Pu-erh tea, as one of the traditional Chinese teas, is loved by tea lovers for its unique aged aroma and thick taste. However, to brew a perfect cup of Puerh tea, the amount of tea thrown is a key factor. Too much or too little tea leaves will affect the flavor and quality of the tea soup. So, what is the optimal amount of tea for Puerh tea? This article will answer you in detail.
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Understanding the basic types of Pu'er tea
Puerh tea is mainly divided into two types: raw tea and ripe tea. Raw tea is naturally fermented tea, the taste is more fragrant, strong, the color of the tea broth is light. Ripe tea is artificially fermented, with a mellow, smooth taste and darker color. Different types of Puerh tea also differ in the amount of tea thrown.
Suggested Tea Throwing Amount for Puerh Tea
The amount of tea to be thrown for Puerh tea mainly depends on your personal taste, the type of tea and the brewing utensils. Below are some common recommendations on tea consumption for your reference:
1. Individual tastes
If you like a strong tea broth, you can increase the amount of tea thrown appropriately. Typically, you can use 8-10 grams of tea for every 150 milliliters of water. If you prefer a lighter taste, you can reduce it to 5-7 grams. The exact amount of tea thrown can be adjusted according to your preference.
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2. Types of tea
The amount of tea thrown is different for raw and ripe tea. For raw tea, it is recommended to use 5-8 grams of tea leaves for every 150 ml of water because of the heavier tea flavor. Ripe tea can be slightly more, 8-10 grams of tea leaves per 150 ml of water. This is because ripe tea has a milder taste and needs more tea leaves to fully express its flavor.
3. Brewing apparatus
Different brewing utensils will also affect the amount of tea to be thrown. When using a gaiwan or zisha pot, it is recommended that the amount of tea thrown be slightly less as it is easier for the tea to release its flavor due to its good heat preservation. When using glass cups or other open utensils, the amount of tea thrown can be increased appropriately, as these utensils have poorer heat retention and the tea leaves need more time and quantity to release the aroma and flavor.
Tips on how to master the amount of tea to be thrown
Mastering tea pitching takes some practice and experience, here are a few simple tips to help you find the best pitch for you:
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1. Gradual adjustments
If you are new to Puerh tea, start with a small amount of tea and gradually increase the amount of tea thrown to find your favorite taste. Add 1-2 grams at a time, taste the changes in the tea broth, and note down the amount of tea you are most satisfied with.
2. Pay attention to brewing time
The amount of tea is closely related to the brewing time. When there are more tea leaves, the brewing time can be shorter; when there are less tea leaves, the brewing time can be longer. Usually, the first steeping time for Puerh tea is 10-20 seconds, and then gradually increase by about 10 seconds for each subsequent steeping. Pay attention to the changes in the color and flavor of the tea broth to find the best brewing time.
3. Use of measuring cups
For beginners, a good way to measure the ratio of tea leaves to water is to use a measuring cup. This ensures that the amount of tea you throw is consistent each time, making it easy for you to adjust and keep track of your optimal amount of tea.
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Other Precautions for Brewing Puerh Tea
In addition to the amount of tea thrown, there are some other things to pay attention to when brewing Puerh tea:
1. Water quality and temperature
Good tea cannot be separated from good water. It is recommended to use pure water or mineral water to brew Puerh tea, avoid using tap water. As for the water temperature, raw tea should be brewed with 85-90 degree Celsius water, while ripe tea needs 95-100 degree Celsius water. Proper water temperature can better release the aroma and flavor of the tea.
2. Selection of tea sets
Pu-erh tea is suitable for brewing in traditional tea utensils such as gai bowls and zisha pots. These have good heat retention and air permeability, and can give full play to the characteristics of Puerh tea. If you like to watch the tea leaves stretching in the water, you can also choose glass tea sets.
3. Tea washing
Pu-erh tea usually needs to be washed before it is formally brewed. Washing tea not only removes impurities from the surface of the tea leaves, but also awakens the tea leaves so that they can release their aroma more quickly. To wash the tea, quickly fill the tea set with hot water, gently shake it and pour it out, then proceed to the formal brewing.
concluding remarks
There is no absolute standard for the amount of tea to be thrown in Puerh tea, but through understanding and practicing, you can surely find a method that suits you. Remember, brewing tea is an art and an enjoyable process. I hope this article can help you better master the techniques of brewing Puerh tea and make a satisfying cup of tea every time.
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