Chinese tea culture has a long history, and the six major types of tea are the essence of it. Understanding the brewing methods and characteristics of each type of tea not only enhances the pleasure of tea tasting, but also allows you to better feel the unique charm of tea. Today we will talk about the brewing methods and characteristics of these six tea types: green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, yellow tea and black tea.
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green tea
Green tea is an unfermented tea that retains more natural substances and nutrients, and has a fresh color and aroma after brewing.
Characteristics: green tea leaves are tender green, soup color is yellow-green, taste is fresh and refreshing, often have flower or tender chestnut fragrance.
Brewing Method: Green tea is best brewed in 80-85°C water. Take about 3 grams of tea leaves, put them into a glass cup, fill it with hot water and let it steep for 1-2 minutes. Refill the water 3 times to ensure that each brew releases the full flavor of the tea.
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black tea
Black tea is a fully fermented tea with a bright red tea broth and mellow flavor.
Characteristics: Red tea soup color is red, with honey or fruit aroma, and the taste is thick and sweet.
Brewing Method: Black tea is suitable to be brewed with hot water at 90-95°C. Take 5 grams of tea leaves, put them into a pot, fill with hot water and steep for 3-5 minutes. The steeping time can be adjusted according to personal taste, and the tea can be refreshed 2-3 times.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea between green tea and black tea, semi-fermented tea, tea soup golden, unique flavor.
Characteristics: Oolong tea leaves are red at the edges and green in the center, with a strong aroma, floral or fruity.
Brewing Method: Oolong tea is suitable for brewing with 95-100°C water. Take 5-7 grams of tea leaves, put them into a gaiwan or zisha pot, fill with hot water and steep for 30 seconds to 1 minute. The tea can be refreshed more than 5 times for each steeping time in increasing order.
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plain tea
White tea is a mildly fermented tea with a simple process that focuses on natural withering and drying.
Characteristics: White tea leaves are silver-white, soup color is light yellow, taste is light and sweet, sometimes accompanied by floral or medicinal aroma.
Brewing Method: White tea is suitable for brewing with 85-90°C water. Take 5 grams of tea leaves, put them into a covered bowl or glass cup, fill with hot water and steep for 3-5 minutes. The tea can be refreshed more than 3 times, and the flavor of the tea soup changes slightly with each brew.
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yellow tea
Yellow tea is lightly fermented tea, after smothering yellow process, the tea soup is yellow and bright.
Characteristics: yellow tea tea leaves yellow-green, soup color yellow bright, taste sweet and mellow, with flower or chestnut aroma.
Brewing Method: Yellow tea is suitable for brewing with 85-90°C water. Take 3 grams of tea leaves, put them into a covered bowl, fill with hot water and steep for about 3 minutes. The tea can be refreshed 3 times, increasing the steeping time appropriately each time.
black tea
Black tea is a post-fermented tea, after a long period of pile fermentation, the tea soup is deep red, aged aroma is strong.
Characteristics: Dark tea leaves are dark brown, soup color is red and thick, taste is mellow and thick, with aged or medicinal aroma.
Brewing Method: Black tea is suitable to be brewed with boiling water at 100°C. Take 10 grams of tea leaves, put them into a purple sand pot or a large teapot, fill it with boiling water and steep it for more than 5 minutes. The tea can be refreshed several times, and each steeping time should be extended appropriately.
Tasting tea is an art of life, and different types of tea have different brewing methods and unique charms. Mastering the characteristics and brewing techniques of each type of tea will enable you to better enjoy this fragrant tea. I hope this article can help you find your own cup of tea in the world of tea.
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