Whether to discard the first infusion when brewing Tea depends entirely on the type of tea you are using. Typically, teas that are brewed for drinking are aged and made from coarser, older leaves. If your tea is clean and suitable for direct brewing, there's no need for a preliminary rinse.
However, after years of storage, aged teas can accumulate some dust. Before brewing, it's advisable to pre-rinse them in a covered bowl with boiling water. This not only helps release flavors more quickly but also ensures a cleaner and more enjoyable drinking experience.
How to Brew Tea for Optimal Flavor
The methods for brewing tea vary widely, but essentially, there are three key points:
1. Prepare your tea-brewing vessel. For those without prior experience in brewing tea, a glass Teapot is recommended. Its transparency makes it easy to observe the color of the tea broth, helping you better control the brewing time. For seasoned tea enthusiasts, the choice of vessel—such as an antique-style purple clay or Ceramic teapot—depends on personal preference.
2. Prepare the tea leaves. When selecting tea for brewing, we recommend choosing older leaves with a longer aging period. Such teas produce a richer flavor when brewed. For example, yellow flakes and old tea heads from Pu'er tea offer a thick, smooth mouthfeel and an enjoyable drinking experience. When preparing the tea, choose an appropriate amount based on the size of your teapot. If unsure about the quantity, it's safer to start with a lighter brew; 10 grams or less of Pu'er tea is suggested.
3. Brew the tea. When brewing, heat the water until it begins to boil, then add the prepared tea leaves. Once the tea broth turns deep red and concentrated, it's ready to be served.
During the brewing process, remember to add the water first and wait until it boils before adding the tea. The initial release of compounds from the tea leaves happens very quickly, so pay close attention to avoid overbrewing. Starting with cold water can easily result in overly strong tea. Additionally, when refilling the teapot, don't wait until all the tea is consumed; leaving one-third of the tea broth in the pot will help maintain a consistent strength and reduce the brewing time for subsequent infusions.