Theoretically, to ensure a good taste, it's best to keep the Tea and water separate. For example, when using a lidded bowl to steep tea, the first few infusions should be poured out quickly.
Once the tea comes into contact with hot water, it begins to release compounds continuously. To avoid an excess of bitter substances that can affect the taste, it's important to control the brewing time and keep the tea and water separate.
Why is it important to infuse and Drink tea in separate steps, keeping the tea leaves and water separate?
1. Leaving tea steeping for too long can spoil the leaves, diminish their aroma, affect the taste, and cause oxidation of nutrients, resulting in a less enjoyable drinking experience. Separating the tea from the water helps to better realize the value of the tea.
2. The rate at which the internal compounds in tea are released varies. Prolonged steeping can lead to excessive release of caffeine, making the tea strong, bitter, and Astringent. It can also become contaminated by environmental pollutants or even spoil, which is detrimental to health.
3. Keeping the tea and water separate allows for better control over the Infusion time, preserving the taste of each infusion and allowing one to fully appreciate the different sensations brought by each cup.
Therefore, it is important to drink tea immediately after infusing and to keep the tea and water separate. This ensures the taste of the tea and promotes healthy drinking.
Some tea enthusiasts leave their tea in the cup for extended periods, either due to habit, environment, or the inconvenience of their tea utensils, or because they prefer a stronger flavor. In professional tea brewing, we advocate separating the tea from the water. Tea that is too concentrated or too weak is not good for the body. Excessively concentrated tea can irritate the stomach, and if the quality of the tea is poor, prolonged steeping can cause discomfort. I've heard from fellow tea drinkers that sometimes they feel numbness or other sensations after drinking certain teas, which can be related to both the quality of the tea and how it is brewed. Light and thin teas can cause bloating. Separating the tea from the water during brewing allows us to truly appreciate the aroma and flavor of the tea.