Pu'er Tea cake is a traditional type of tea with a long history. Its unique flavor and health benefits have attracted many tea enthusiasts. The correct brewing method not only enhances the Taste of the tea but also fully releases the distinctive aroma and nutritional components of Pu'er tea. This article will provide you with a detailed guide on how to correctly brew Pu'er tea cake, allowing you to enjoy a rich cup of Pu'er tea at home.
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Preparation
Before starting to brew Pu'er tea, you need to prepare the following tools and materials:
- Pu'er tea cake
- Tea knife or tea needle
- Teapot (Yixing clay pot or gaiwan recommended)
- Teacup
- Sieve (optional)
- Kettle for boiling water
- Water (mountain spring water or purified water recommended)
Step One: Loosening the Tea
First, use a tea knife or tea needle to gently loosen the tea cake. When loosening the tea, be mindful of the force applied to avoid breaking the tea leaves. Start from the edge of the tea cake and slowly loosen it along the texture of the leaves, removing an appropriate amount of tea. Typically, 5-8 grams of tea per brewing is sufficient.
Step Two: Waking the Tea
Waking the tea serves to awaken the dormant leaves, enabling them to release their aroma and flavor better. Place the loosened tea leaves in the teapot or gaiwan, pour in an appropriate amount of boiling water (around 95°C), quickly swirl it around a few times, then discard the water. This can help clean off any dust and impurities on the surface of the tea leaves.
Step Three: Pouring Water
After waking the tea, heat the water to around 95°C and pour it into the teapot or gaiwan. When pouring water, you can use the circular pouring method, which involves slowly pouring the water along the inner wall of the teapot. This avoids directly impacting the tea leaves, ensuring they are evenly moistened. The amount of water poured is generally five to six times the amount of tea.
Step Four: Steeping
After pouring the water, cover the teapot or gaiwan and let it sit for about 10-15 seconds, allowing the tea leaves to steep fully. The steeping time for Pu'er tea should not be too long, as this could result in a too concentrated infusion and increased bitterness.
Step Five: Pouring the Infusion
After steeping, pour the tea into the teacup. If using a sieve, filter the tea leaves during pouring to ensure the clarity of the tea infusion. The first infusion is often referred to as “washing the tea” and can be discarded before proceeding with the second brewing.
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Rebrewing
Pu'er tea cakes can be brewed multiple times, usually up to 8-10 times. The brewing time for each subsequent brew can be adjusted according to personal taste, slightly increasing the steeping time from the second brew onwards, adding 5-10 seconds per subsequent brew.
Tasting the Tea
Pour the brewed tea into the teacup and savor the distinctive aged aroma and rich taste of Pu'er tea. The tea infusion has a deep color, a lingering aroma, and a slightly sweet aftertaste upon tasting.
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Health Benefits of Pu'er Tea
Pu'er tea not only has a unique taste but also offers various health benefits. Regular consumption of Pu'er tea can aid digestion, reduce fat and weight, lower blood pressure, and has antioxidant properties. Additionally, the aged aroma and unique fermentation process of Pu'er tea give it distinct antibacterial and health-promoting effects.
Summary
Although the brewing process of Pu'er tea cakes may seem complicated, once you master the basic steps, you can easily brew a rich cup of Pu'er tea. At home, you can adjust the brewing time and the amount of tea used according to your own taste preferences, enjoying the delightful moments brought by Pu'er tea.
Hopefully, through this detailed guide, you can gain a better understanding of how to brew Pu'er tea cakes and appreciate the unique charm of Pu'er tea.