Green Tea
Green tea is unfermented and consists of tender leaves, which require a lower water temperature for brewing. Generally, the optimal brewing temperature for green tea should be between 80°C and 85°C. If the water is too hot, it can destroy vitamin C and polyphenols in the tea, making the brew bitter. Therefore, it's recommended to boil the water first and then let it cool for a while until it reaches the appropriate temperature before Steeping the green tea.
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White Tea
White tea is also unfermented and consists of delicate leaves, suitable for brewing at even lower temperatures. Typically, the best brewing temperature for white tea is between 70°C and 75°C. Higher temperatures can destroy the nutritional components of the white tea, causing the brew to lose its unique fragrance and sweetness.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea lies between green and black teas as a partially Fermented tea. Oolong tea requires slightly higher water temperatures, generally ranging from 80°C to 95°C. Higher temperatures can fully release the rich aroma and unique flavor of oolong tea, but they shouldn't be too high, as this could affect the freshness of the brew.
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Black Tea
Black tea is fully fermented and can withstand high temperatures, making it suitable for brewing with water close to boiling point. The ideal brewing temperature for black tea is between 95°C and 100°C. High temperatures can fully stimulate the aroma and color of black tea, resulting in a rich and robust brew.
Dark Tea (Pu'er Tea)
Dark tea, such as Pu'er, undergoes post-fermentation processing and uses coarser leaves, which can be brewed with boiling water. The optimal brewing temperature for Pu'er tea is between 95°C and 100°C. High temperatures better release the unique aged aroma and rich flavor of Pu'er tea.
Herbal tea
Herbal teas do not contain caffeine and are typically brewed with boiling water to fully release their fragrances and nutritional components. The best brewing temperature for herbal teas is 100°C. This allows the various herbal components to dissolve completely in the water, achieving the best taste and health benefits.
The Importance of Cooling Time
When brewing tea, attention should be paid not only to the water temperature but also to the cooling time. Even freshly brewed tea should not be consumed immediately, as very high temperatures may scald the mouth and throat. Studies have shown that excessively hot beverages can increase the risk of esophageal cancer. Therefore, it's advisable to let the brewed tea sit for a few minutes until it cools to a drinkable temperature.
How to Measure Water Temperature
To control the water temperature more accurately, you can use an electric kettle or teapot with temperature control features. If you don't have these tools, you can judge the water temperature by observing the state of boiling. When small bubbles begin to appear, the temperature is approximately 70°C; when the bubbles become larger and rise rapidly, the temperature is around 80°C to 90°C; when the water is fully boiling, the temperature approaches 100°C.
Summary
Mastering the optimal water temperature for brewing different types of tea is key to producing a good cup of tea. Different teas require different water temperatures to fully release their aromas and flavors. We hope that through this introduction, you will be able to better enjoy the wonderful moments that tea brings.