The amount of Tea used when brewing Pu'er tea depends on the capacity of your teapot and personal taste. Generally, for 3-5 people, use 6-9 grams of tea; for 6-10 people, use 10-13 grams of tea, adjusting according to the number of participants; if you prefer a stronger tea, you can add more.
Appropriate Brewing Ratio for Pu'er Ripened Tea
For a 5-gram packet of Pu'er tea, typically add it to a small 180-milliliter teapot. For brewing 4-5 grams of Pu'er tea (at a water temperature above 95 degrees Celsius), under normal circumstances, the tea-to-water ratio is generally 1:50, meaning 1 gram of tea per 50 milliliters of water. A common practice is to use 3 grams of tea with 150 milliliters of water, allowing it to steep for 5 minutes for evaluation.
When boiling Pu'er tea, the tea-to-water ratio is usually 1:80, or 1 gram of tea per 80 milliliters of water. Typically, 5 grams of tea are used with 400 milliliters of water.
The tea-to-water ratio for aged raw Pu'er tea using a Gaiwan is around 1:20. For an 180-milliliter gaiwan, a recommended amount of tea would be about 8 grams.
If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can use more tea, but I personally believe that when starting with a new tea, it's best to begin with around 8 grams. For new teas, it's advisable to store them for at least three months to allow some time for transformation, which may improve the taste.
How to Brew Pu'er Ripened Tea for Optimal Flavor
1. Teaware
Pu'er ripened tea can be brewed using a purple clay teapot or a gaiwan. Purple clay teapots have internal pores that provide good breathability, which helps bring out the aroma and aged flavor of ripened Pu'er. Gaiwans do not absorb flavors and can reveal the true taste of the tea while also showcasing its beautiful color.
2. Tea Quantity
If using a gaiwan, a typical tea-to-water ratio is 100ml:7g. If using a purple clay teapot, for an 180-milliliter pot, about 10 grams of tea is suitable. Adjust the quantity of tea based on your preference for strength.
3. Waking the Tea
Ripened Pu'er often has a strong fermentation aroma, so it needs to be woken up before brewing. Pour hot water over the tea for about 10 seconds and then discard it. Then, pour boiling water (100 degrees Celsius) over the tea. For the first five infusions, steep for 5-7 seconds; after the sixth infusion, steep for 7-10 seconds. After the tenth infusion, you can gradually increase the Steeping time. High-quality ripened Pu'er can be enjoyed for 10-20 infusions or more.