Pu'er tea is a famous Chinese Tea, divided into raw and ripened varieties. Ripened tea, having undergone fermentation, possesses a unique aged aroma and rich flavor. Many people enjoy its robust Taste, but brewing a good pot of Pu'er ripened tea requires some skill. Today, we will share a detailed guide on how to perfectly brew Pu'er ripened tea.
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Preparation
The first step in brewing Pu'er ripened tea is to prepare all the necessary tools and materials. This includes teaware, tea leaves, and water.
- Teaware: A Teapot or gaiwan, a fairness cup, several tea cups, a tea strainer, and tea tongs.
- Tea Leaves: High-quality Pu'er ripened tea; it is recommended to choose leaves that have been stored for a long time, as their flavor will be richer and smoother.
- Water: Use mineral water or purified water, and ensure the water temperature reaches 95-100 degrees Celsius.
Warming Cups and Washing the Tea
Before officially brewing the tea, we need to warm the cups and wash the tea. This is to remove impurities and dust from the leaves and also to awaken their aroma.
Warming Cups: Pour boiling water into the teapot, fairness cup, and tea cups, gently shake them to warm the entire ware, and then discard the water.
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Washing the Tea: Take an appropriate amount of tea (about 8 grams), place it in the teapot or gaiwan, pour in a small amount of boiling water, and quickly discard it. This step is primarily to clean the leaves and awaken their aroma.
First Infusion
After washing the tea, you can proceed with the first infusion. Pour boiling water into the teapot and let it steep for 20 seconds. Then, pour the tea liquor into the fairness cup and distribute it evenly among the tea cups.
The tea liquor produced in this step has a deep red color, a strong aroma, and a sweet taste. Remember to distribute the tea liquor evenly so that each cup has a consistent flavor.
Subsequent Infusions
Pu'er ripened tea can be re-infused many times, typically 7-10 times, with the Steeping time gradually increasing. The second infusion should steep for 30 seconds, the third for 40 seconds, and increase by 10 seconds for each subsequent infusion.
As the number of infusions increases, the color of the tea liquor gradually lightens, but the aroma and flavor remain rich. Each infusion brings a different taste experience, which is the joy of tea tasting.
Tasting the Tea
Tasting Pu'er ripened tea is an enjoyable process. First, observe the color, which should be a bright, deep red. Then, smell the aroma, savoring the aged, woody, and honey notes. Finally, taste the tea, which should be smooth and leave a lasting sweetness.
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When tasting tea, pair it with light snacks such as melon seeds or jujubes, which will help bring out the flavors of the tea.
Storing the Tea
Storing Pu'er ripened tea is also a crucial aspect. Store the tea in a dry, ventilated environment free from odors, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures. It's best to store it in a ceramic jar or paper box that allows air circulation.
Properly stored Pu'er ripened tea improves in quality and flavor over time, making it a tea suitable for long-term storage.
Tips
1. When brewing Pu'er ripened tea, the water temperature must be high to fully release the aroma and taste of the leaves.
2. Use tea tongs instead of your hands when taking tea leaves to avoid affecting the quality of the leaves with hand sweat and oils.
3. Keep a pleasant mood while brewing tea, as this will make the tea more fragrant and smooth.
Brewing Pu'er ripened tea is a meticulous process, but once you master the correct method, you can brew a great pot of tea. We hope these steps and tips help you better enjoy the deliciousness of Pu'er ripened tea.