Pu-erh tea, a tea from China's Yunnan Province, has won the hearts of tea lovers around the world with its unique fermentation process and deep cultural heritage. Puerh tea is categorized into raw tea and ripe tea, both of which are significantly different in terms of production process, taste and brewing method. In this article, we will introduce the brewing methods of Puerh tea, so that you can easily taste the authentic Puerh tea at home.
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How to Brew Puerh Raw Tea
Raw tea refers to naturally fermented Pu-erh tea after killing, kneading and sun-drying, which preserves more tea polyphenols, with fresh and refreshing tea broth, sweetness and strong tea flavor.
preliminary
Before brewing raw tea, you need to prepare the following items: a gaiwan or zisha pot, a fairway cup, a tea strainer, a teaspoon, a tea tray and hot water. A water temperature of 90-95°C is recommended for brewing raw tea.
brewing step
1. Warming: Pour boiling water into a gaiwan or zisha kettle, shake gently and then pour it out. This step warms up the tea utensils and improves the aroma of the tea leaves.
2. Pitching: Take 5-7 grams of raw tea and put it into a gaiwan or zisha pot.
3. Wake up the tea: pour off the water immediately after the first filling, the purpose is to wash away the impurities on the surface of the tea leaves and wake up the aroma of the tea leaves.
4. Brewing: After the second filling of water, wait for 10-20 seconds, then pour the tea broth into the fair cup and divide it into teacups. According to personal taste, you can increase the steeping time by 5-10 seconds each time.
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5. Tea tasting: Tea soup is bright in color, fresh and refreshing in the mouth, with a long sweetness aftertaste.
Brewing Method of Puerh Ripe Tea
Ripe tea is a Puerh tea processed through the pile fermentation process, with a high degree of fermentation, red color and thick tea broth, and a mellow and smooth taste.
preliminary
To brew ripe tea, you will also need a gaiwan or zisha pot, a fairway cup, a tea strainer, a teaspoon, a tea tray and hot water. A water temperature of 95-100°C is recommended for brewing ripe tea.
brewing step
1. Warming: Same as raw tea, use boiling water to warm the tea set first.
2. Pitching: Take 7-9 grams of ripe tea and put it into a gaiwan or zisha pot.
3. Wake up the tea: pour off the water immediately after filling, this step not only washes away the impurities, but also better stimulates the aroma of the tea leaves.
4. Brewing: After the second filling of water, wait for 20-30 seconds, then pour the tea broth into the fair cups, and then divide it into teacups. Ripe tea is more resistant to steeping, you can increase the steeping time by 10-15 seconds each time.
5. Tea tasting: the tea soup is red, thick and translucent, mellow and thick in the mouth, with aged aroma and sweet aftertaste.
(Image source: Internet, deleted)
Notes on Brewing Raw Tea and Ripe Tea
Raw and ripe teas share some common considerations when brewing, such as water quality, water temperature and choice of tea utensils. High-quality mountain spring water or pure water is the best choice for brewing Puerh tea. Raw tea is suitable for slightly lower water temperature (90-95°C), while ripe tea requires higher water temperature (95-100°C). Gai bowls and zisha pots are good choices, of which zisha pots are more suitable for brewing ripe tea as they can better maintain the temperature of the tea broth.
In addition, when brewing, pay attention to master the ratio of tea and water and steeping time. Raw tea due to the high content of tea polyphenols, steeping time should not be too long, so as not to avoid the tea soup is too bitter. Ripe tea can be appropriately extended steeping time, in order to fully release the tea flavor and taste.
summarize
Puerh tea has its own characteristics, with raw tea being fresh and refreshing, and ripe tea being mellow and smooth. By mastering the correct brewing method, you can enjoy the wonderful flavor of Puerh tea at home. Whether for daily consumption or for entertaining guests, Pu-erh tea is a healthy and elegant choice.
I hope this article will help you better understand the brewing techniques of Puerh tea and become a true tea master.
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