To brew a perfect Cup of tea, you need to know the “three elements” of the tea: the amount of tea leaves, water temperature, and brewing time. The brewing methods vary for each of the six major types of tea. If you don't pay attention to these details, you may not bring out the best flavor of your tea, and it could end up tasting bitter and Astringent.
Water Temperature: 80-85°C. For high-quality green teas, use 75-80°C.
Brewing Time: 10-30 seconds, with each subsequent Infusion increasing slightly in duration.
Amount of Tea Leaves:
Method 1: Water-to-tea ratio ≈ 1:50. This means using 1 gram of tea for every 50-60 grams (or milliliters) of water.
Method 2: Fill the teaware about one-third full with dry tea leaves.
Green tea is typically brewed in a glass teapot; for example, a 300ml glass teapot would use 6 grams of dry tea.
| Yellow Tea
Water Temperature: 80-90°C. For delicate yellow bud teas, use 80°C water; other yellow teas can be brewed at temperatures above 90°C.
Brewing Time: 20-30 seconds, with each subsequent infusion increasing slightly in duration.
Amount of Tea Leaves: Yellow tea is similar to green tea but undergoes an additional process of yellowing. You can use the same guidelines as for green tea.
| White Tea
Water Temperature: Boiling water (for pure bud white teas like Silver Needle, use 90°C water).
Brewing Time: 10-20 seconds, with each subsequent infusion increasing slightly in duration.
Amount of Tea Leaves:
Method 1: Water-to-tea ratio ≈ 1:20 (1 gram of tea for 20-30 milliliters of water).
Method 2: Fill the teaware about one-third full with dry tea leaves.
For example, a 120ml gaiwan should use 4-6 grams of dry tea.
| Oolong Tea
Water Temperature: 95-100°C. For lightly processed Tie Guan Yin, use 95°C water; for roasted rock teas, use boiling water.
Brewing Time: 3-5 seconds, with each subsequent infusion increasing slightly in duration.
Amount of Tea Leaves:
Method 1: Water-to-tea ratio ≈ 1:20 (1 gram of tea for 15-20 milliliters of water).
Method 2: For tightly packed oolongs like Tie Guan Yin, fill the teaware about one-third full; for loose oolongs like Dancong or Dahongpao, fill it about eight-tenths full.
For example, a 120ml gaiwan should use 6-8 grams of dry tea.
| Black Tea
Water Temperature: 90-95°C
Brewing Time: 3-5 seconds
Amount of Tea Leaves:
Method 1: Water-to-tea ratio ≈ 1:20 (1 gram of tea for 20-30 milliliters of water).
Method 2: Fill the teaware about two-thirds full.
For example, a 120ml gaiwan should use 4-6 grams of dry tea.
| Dark Tea
Water Temperature: 100°C
Brewing Time: 3-10 seconds, with each subsequent infusion increasing slightly in duration.
Amount of Tea Leaves:
Method 1: Water-to-tea ratio ≈ 1:20 (1 gram of tea for 15-20 milliliters of water).
Method 2: For compressed dark teas, use about one-fifth of the teaware's capacity; for loose leaf dark teas, use about eight-tenths of the teaware's capacity.
For example, a 120ml gaiwan should use 6-8 grams of dry tea.
The above are the most suitable “three elements” summarized here for reference. Adjustments can be made according to the type of tea being brewed and personal taste preferences.