Brew Tea

"Nine out of Ten People Have Gastric Issues," referring to the fact that most people have some degree of gastric problems. Many believe that tea harms the stomach, and those with poor digestive health should avoid it altogether. This is actually a significant misconception. For individuals with normal or slightly weaker digestive functions, all that's needed is to follow proper tea-drinking methods and choose suitable types of tea. Those with severe gastric conditions or who have been advised by doctors not to drink tea should follow medical advice. The key to whether tea nurtures or harms the stomach lies in how one drinks it. I. What "Stimulation" Does Tea Have on the Stomach? Tea can create a certain "stimulation" on the stomach, but this stimulation isn't entirely negative. On one hand, some active substances in tea bind with stomach proteins, which might cause discomfort for those with gastric issues. However, this discomfort is likely due to the timing, concentration, and amount of tea consumed. On the other hand, the alkaloids in tea can stimulate gastric juice secretion, promoting digestion and increasing appetite. For example, after consuming greasy foods, one often experiences bloating and nausea. Drinking a cup of tea half…

What is Dancong Tea? Dancong tea, produced in the Fenghuang Mountain area of Chaozhou City, Guangdong Province, China, is a type of Oolong tea with distinctive local characteristics. It is renowned for its unique aroma and rich flavor, earning it the accolade of being the "cream of the crop" among teas. The name Dancong originates from the mother tree "Dancong," referring to a single tea plant, and its intricate production process makes it a premium tea. The Uniqueness of Dancong Tea What sets Dancong tea apart is primarily its aroma and taste. There are various aromatic types of Dancong tea, such as Orchid, Huangzhi, and Honey Orchid, each with its own distinct character. The tea-making process includes withering, shaking, fixation, rolling, and baking, each step requiring the skilled craftsmanship and extensive experience of the tea maker. Brewing Steps for Dancong Tea While Dancong tea boasts exceptional quality, the correct brewing method is essential to fully appreciate its unique flavors. Below are detailed brewing steps for Dancong tea. 1. Preparing the Tea Utensils Firstly, choosing suitable tea utensils is very important. Generally, a gaiwan or a purple clay teapot is the best choice for brewing Dancong tea. A gaiwan can better…

The scorching summer is the most unbearable time of the year, causing inexplicable irritability. At such a moment, sipping on a cup of Pu'er ripened tea is an exquisite pleasure. Some say that drinking green tea helps to quench internal heat in summer, while drinking black tea and Pu'er tea promotes health in winter. So, is it suitable to drink such a warming Pu'er ripened tea in the scorching summer? Some even directly put ripened Pu'er tea on the "blacklist" of summer beverages, but this is not the case! Ripened Pu'er tea, after undergoing pile fermentation, has a mild nature and a mellow, smooth taste. Drinking ripened Pu'er tea in summer can warm the body and dispel dampness, quench thirst, warm and protect the stomach, and promote sleep at the same time. Who is Suitable to Drink Pu'er Ripened Tea in Summer 1. Overweight People In summer, overweight people are more suited to drink Pu'er ripened tea. The caffeine, vitamins, amino acids, phospholipids, and other components in Pu'er tea help with digestion and have a significant effect in inhibiting the increase of abdominal fat. The tea is rich in vitamin B1, which is essential for burning fat and converting it…

Tea brewing can be simple or complex, and in daily life, we often opt for simplicity. In everyday settings like home or the office, we often want a good cup of tea that is both convenient and quick. Today, I will share with you a method of brewing tea in a cup to enjoy a great cup of tea in just one minute—the cup brewing method. Cup Brewing Method The cup brewing method is commonly used in daily life due to its simplicity. Simply add an appropriate amount of tea leaves and pour in hot water, let it steep for a certain period, and then you can drink directly from the cup. If using a transparent glass cup, you can clearly see the elegant appearance of the tea leaves in the water. While the cup brewing method seems simple, to quickly brew a cup of tea with good taste and temperature, you can use a two-step brewing method with "hot water + room temperature water" and pay attention to the following points: Firstly, the ratio of tea to water. Taking Dafolongjing tea as an example, when using a straight cylindrical glass cup with a capacity of 200 mL, generally, a…

Pu'er ripened tea is processed from Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green tea through pile fermentation and other techniques, resulting in a mild tea with reduced bitterness and astringency, characterized by its smooth, rich, and mellow flavor. Ripened tea can be relatively difficult to brew; a misstep could result in weak flavor, thin mouthfeel, or unpleasant odors. Sometimes, it may even produce an unappealing soy sauce color. Even more perplexing, well-stored tea might yield a drying, harsh, and constricting sensation in the throat. So, how should ripened Pu'er tea be brewed? Point One: Pre-infusing the Tea Ripened tea, whether loose or compressed, may have varying degrees of tightness or clumping. Pre-infusing helps the tea to evenly expand, allowing it to better express its character. Note that pre-infusion time should not be too long. Pour boiling water over the tea and after 5 to 10 seconds, pour out the water. Immediately after pouring out the pre-infusion water, uncover the vessel to smell the aroma, indicating that the pre-infusion is complete. During pre-infusion, maintain a gentle and steady stream of water to avoid agitating the leaves violently; after pre-infusion, drain the tea leaves as thoroughly as possible. Point Two: Choosing the Right Brewing Utensil…

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. (Image source: Internet, delete if infringement occurs) 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. (Image source: Internet,…

In recent years, Anhua dark tea has been widely pursued and favored by consumers due to its remarkable effects. Brewing Anhua dark tea is a simple yet somewhat challenging art; if not careful, the brewed tea may have a light taste, weak aroma, and thin mouthfeel. Even worse, well-stored aged dark tea can produce a drying and slightly astringent tea soup in the throat. So how can we make Anhua dark tea taste better?   Step 1: Place the Tea Control the tea-to-water ratio to lay a foundation for the concentration. For a 100ml teapot with a lid, use 10 grams of tea. This amount generally ensures a balanced ratio, which you can adjust according to personal taste. Also, adjust the steeping time accordingly. For example, if brewing several infusions, increase the amount of tea used and try to pour out the water quickly during the initial few steeps. Step 2: Rinse the Tea Moisten the tea leaves and clean the surface. From this rinsing step onward, pour the water gently. You can pour in a circular motion or in a steady stream, but the water flow must be calm and stable. Avoid making the tea leaves tumble violently. If…

As a top-notch contender in the tea world, Pu'er tea not only excels in its inner qualities but also transforms endlessly in its outer appearance. As the forms of Pu'er tea continue to evolve, shapes such as bricks, cakes, tuans, and tos have emerged, along with many Pu'er teas being crafted into tea beads. Perhaps due to their striking and beautiful appearance, these beads have been given a charming name: Dragon Beads. Pu'er Dragon Beads are round and "playful," unlike regular loose or cake teas where the method of brewing is familiar to many. The unique shape of Pu'er Dragon Beads can sometimes make it challenging to brew them properly. Often, after several infusions, the leaves remain tightly embraced and unwilling to separate, or the steeping time is too long, resulting in an unappealing concentration and flavor... The most frustrating part is that many Dragon Beads are made from high-end, premium Pu'er teas. It seems essential to understand the proper way to handle Pu'er Dragon Beads. How are Dragon Beads Made? The difference in the production process of Pu'er Dragon Beads lies solely in the shaping stage. Typically, a single Dragon Bead uses 5-8 grams of material. After steaming the…

Black tea is fully fermented, and during the fermentation process, polyphenols in the tea leaves oxidize continuously. Originally hidden within the leaves, nutrients move to the surface and dissolve easily in water. Therefore, brewing black tea is very skill-dependent. Key to brewing great black tea, aside from the amount of tea, water temperature, and steeping time, is having a good purple clay pot. So what kind of pot allows even a beginner tea enthusiast to brew delicious black tea? The rich aroma of black tea and the warmth of a purple clay pot have an inherent connection, blending together to create a cup of tea that lingers in the memory. When using a purple clay pot to brew black tea, it's important to understand these aspects to bring out the best flavor. Purple clay pots have strong adsorption properties and retain the tea's fragrance. Purple clay pots have a unique dual-pore structure, with both chain pores and closed pores coexisting. Chain pores allow the tea's aroma to pass through the pores, but because they are winding and tortuous, some residue remains on the pore walls. This is the primary reason why purple clay pots retain the tea's fragrance. Black tea…

Bai Mudan tea, as a premium variety of Chinese white tea, is renowned for its unique flavor and health benefits. The correct brewing method not only maximally showcases its aroma and taste but also preserves its rich nutritional content. Today, we will take an in-depth look at the brewing time and techniques for Bai Mudan tea. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Characteristics of Bai Mudan Tea Bai Mudan tea originates from Fujian Province. The tea leaves consist of two leaves and a bud, with green leaves and silver-white buds, resembling a blooming peony flower, hence the name "Bai Mudan." The tea-making process is simple, mainly involving natural withering and slight fermentation, preserving the natural form and nutritional components of the leaves. Basic Steps for Brewing Bai Mudan Tea To enjoy the best taste of Bai Mudan tea, brewing time and water temperature are crucial. Here are the detailed steps: Prepare the Teaware Bai Mudan tea is suitable for glass cups or transparent covered bowls, allowing you to appreciate the beautiful unfolding of the leaves in the water. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Select Water Quality Pure or mineral water is recommended to avoid the impact of chlorine and…

In autumn, dryness prevails and can easily deplete body fluids, leading to symptoms such as dry cough without phlegm or difficulty coughing up thick phlegm, dry eyes, mouth, and nose, tight and wrinkled skin, and irritability with difficulty sleeping. Dr. Tan Tao, Director of the Cervical and Lumbar Injuries Department at the First Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, recommends several health teas suitable for consumption during autumn. Chrysanthemum Tea Place four to five chrysanthemum flowers in boiling water and steep for two to three minutes. This tea has effects of dispersing wind-heat, suppressing liver yang, and clearing the liver and brightening the eyes. Chrysanthemum tea can also enhance the elasticity of micro-vessels, slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. This tea is suitable for those with dry eyes, high blood pressure, and those prone to getting heat-induced oral ulcers. There are many types of chrysanthemums, each with slightly different effects. However, no type of chrysanthemum should be consumed continuously over a long period. Those who usually feel cold, have a cold constitution in the spleen and stomach, or experience diarrhea easily, those with wind-cold common cold, and women during menstruation should avoid drinking this tea. Tangerine Red…

On November 22, it was too cold and there were no customers in the shop. Tea merchant Old Yang had steeped a pot of tea until it lost its flavor and was about to change it when a middle-aged man in his early forties suddenly came in. One look and you could tell he was a seasoned tea drinker with over ten years of experience. There are some people who just give off a vibe that they are tea drinkers. This feeling is hard to describe but is usually accurate. Old Yang set aside the Mangfei tea he had just pried open and instead served single-tree Bingdao Bawai from 2020. Although single-tree Bingdao Bawai is somewhat rare on the market, he makes sure to stay on the mountain every year to make tea and jointly lease the tea garden with a few tea-making friends, trying to negotiate lower prices with the local farmers. Once truly produced, even a single-tree variety yields about twenty kilograms. Drinking 5-8 grams at a time doesn't make it feel particularly scarce. Treating customers with good tea is done wholeheartedly and in the spirit of friendship through tea. Unexpectedly, the middle-aged gentleman turned out to be…

Generally, a pot of around 150cc is selected, with purple clay being the best choice. Typically, pots with a low and broad body and good water release are preferred. The main difference between brewing in a small pot and using a lidded bowl lies in the water release process. There's a delay in water release when using a small pot, so it's important to allow for this during operation. The tea should be just right before the pour begins, with the ideal moment controlled at about halfway through the water release, ensuring the tea broth is just right. Another difference is that a small pot can be warmed by pouring boiling water over it, which helps to enhance the flavor of teas that require high temperatures. Preparation Before Brewing Tea: 1. Use mineral water or purified water, and generally, boiling water is best. 2. Prepare a pot of suitable capacity based on the number of people. Set the approximate amount of tea (for example, for a 200cc pot, use about 8g of tea) according to the capacity and the number of people or individual taste preferences. 3. Warm the pot: Pour boiling water into the pot, which primarily serves to…

Many people enjoy savoring tea during their leisure time. There are many types of tea, among which Pu'er tea is a relatively popular one. Pu'er tea has a unique aroma and a sweet and mellow taste, making it a healthful tea suitable for all ages. So how should Pu'er tea be drunk? How to Brew Pu'er Tea The brewing of Pu'er tea can vary depending on the age of the tea, whether it's raw or ripe, the choice of vessel, water temperature, and amount of tea used. Generally, Pu'er tea is brewed with boiling water at 95 to 100°C to bring out its aroma and flavor. Start by breaking off about 7 grams of tea, then warm the cups and teapot. Rinse the Pu'er tea once or twice, pouring in boiling water and immediately discarding it. During actual brewing, the first few infusions should be quick, with the brewing time gradually increasing as the number of infusions increases. When the tea becomes lighter, you can allow it to steep longer. When to Drink Pu'er Tea Pu'er tea is a healthy beverage that can generally be consumed at any time. If you're particular about drinking it for health benefits, ripe Pu'er…

The method for brewing white tea cake: 1. Pry the tea – pry as much as you need; 2. Add tea – use 5g of tea with a 110 ml white porcelain gaiwan; 3. Brew the tea – pour boiling water at 90-100 degrees Celsius over the tea, the first infusion is for rinsing the tea, and subsequent infusions up to the fourth should be quick, starting from the fifth infusion gradually increase the steeping time. How to Brew White Tea Cake 1. Pry the tea Prepare tea prying tools such as a tea knife. After opening the packaged white tea cake, insert the tea knife from the side edge of the tea cake, apply a little force and gently push it into the tea cake, then lift upward. Note that you should insert along the gaps between the tea leaves to ensure that the tea cake is pried layer by layer. 2. Add tea Pry as much tea as you intend to drink, avoiding prying too much. Typically, use 5g of tea. Choose an 110 ml white porcelain gaiwan for brewing. Warm the cup, add the tea, and pour in hot water at 90-100 degrees Celsius. The first rinse…

A small green tangerine can yield around 10 infusions. A single fruit can be continuously infused, but avoid using the small green tangerine the next day and try to consume it on the same day. When brewing a small green tangerine, pour hot water for the first infusion as a rinse, then directly infuse with boiling water afterward, with an ideal temperature of 100°C. Small green tangerines have the characteristic of becoming more fragrant over time, with a taste that is sweet, smooth, and leaves a lasting fragrance in the mouth. How Many Infusions Can You Get from a Small Green Tangerine? In my evaluation, I got 18 infusions, not counting the first rinse. The later infusions took a bit longer to steep. I directly poured hot water over the tangerine without steeping or boiling it. After 18 infusions, if you use a covered bowl and let it steep, you could likely get a few more infusions. So, a good small green tangerine can yield over 20 infusions, enough to last you most of the day. Brewing Methods for Small Green Tangerines First Method – Whole Fruit Brewing: 1. Open the packaging. 2. Remove the top cover of the tangerine…

Slight Cold, the twenty-third solar term of the year. From today onwards, we enter the coldest period of the year. Slight Cold marks the lowest temperatures, with only a few historical instances where Great Cold was colder than Slight Cold. Now that it's cold, brewing tea is probably what tea lovers look forward to every autumn and winter. In the freezing cold, gathering around a stove to brew tea with a few friends, whether discussing poetry and philosophy or not, the sound of boiling water and swirling tea leaves brings out the words that float from the teapot mouth. These are the words brewed by the tea maker all winter long. A gentle fire burns away to bring forth the next spring. Drinking tea, regardless of social status or wealth, is always part of people's leisure lives. Drinking Tea Selecting the right tea to drink should be based on the season and environment. Warming and heat-repelling fermented teas are typically black tea, dark tea, ripe Pu'er, Liubao tea, and aged white tea. Warming and Heat-Repelling Fermented Teas As a fully fermented tea, black tea undergoes enzymatic oxidation due to the action of oxidase on tea polyphenols, converting much of it…

The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year in our country and also the day when yin energy is at its peak. After the Winter Solstice, sunlight gradually increases, yin energy slowly decreases, and the daytime becomes progressively longer. Therefore, the Winter Solstice is a very special day. It is an important solar term in the Chinese lunar calendar and a traditional Chinese festival, commonly known as "Winter Festival," "Festival of the Longest Night," and "Sub New Year," among others. In ancient China, great importance was placed on the Winter Solstice, which was considered a significant holiday, with the most emphasis on winter tonics. Thus, many people would eat and drink well on this day. People believe that after the Winter Solstice, daylight hours become longer each day, yang energy begins to rise, marking the start of a new seasonal cycle and a lucky day that should be celebrated. Winter Solstice Health Preservation Since "Qi begins at the Winter Solstice," from winter onwards, vital activities transition from flourishing to waning and from dynamic to static. Scientific health preservation can help ensure vigorous vitality while preventing premature aging, contributing to longevity. During the Winter Solstice period, your diet should…

Intelligence is a gift, kindness is a choice, and drinking tea is an investment. Some might argue that buying and storing tea is the real investment. To many, tea only holds investment value when it's traded as a commodity, and drinking tea is just a consumption process. In fact, storing tea can be an investment, but drinking tea is an even higher-level investment! Life is short, and the best investment you can make is in yourself. Drinking tea is one such investment that can increase your worth. Once you've been drinking tea for years and tasted its benefits, you'll truly understand. 1. Drinking tea increases our health value. Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs, encountering seventy-two poisons in a day, which were cured by tea. Tea, a miraculous leaf gifted to humanity by nature, has always been beneficial to human health. From its earliest use as medicine by Shennong to today’s various health supplements made from tea's unique components, the connection between tea and health is increasingly recognized. Tea provides undeniable health benefits. Regular tea drinking keeps us looking younger. The active ingredients in tea, such as polyphenols and theanine, have anti-aging and antioxidant properties. Regular tea drinking reduces illness. The…

Tea is one of the most popular beverages among Chinese people, with its presence felt in almost every household. The popularity of tea is evident in teahouses, tea shops, and cups of tea carried around by individuals—highlighting the widespread appreciation for this natural and nutritious drink. You may be aware of the health benefits of tea, but you might not know that drinking tea should also be tailored to individual constitutions. Therefore, it's important to choose the right type of tea based on your personal constitution, as failing to do so could counteract any health benefits. Six Common Misconceptions About Drinking Tea Ignoring Constitution When Choosing Tea There are numerous types of tea, which can generally be categorized into non-fermented, semi-fermented, and fermented teas. Each type has a different suitable population. Drinking tea without considering your constitution could lead to certain adverse effects: Green Tea: Rich in tea polyphenols and caffeine, it can stimulate the stomach. People with weak digestive systems should limit their intake of green tea, especially avoiding drinking it on an empty stomach, as it may cause symptoms of "tea intoxication." For such individuals, warming teas like black tea or adding milk and brown sugar to the…

Drinking tea is primarily about ingesting the nutrients in the leaves, but its rich and dynamic flavors have captivated many. However, even though they are all teas, the sensations they produce can vary greatly; some are mild, while others can instantly invigorate the senses. A tea with excellent mouthfeel manifests itself in various aspects, such as freshness, body, astringency, and balance. Today, we will focus on one crucial aspect—the “concentration”—to evaluate the infusion of a tea. How can you enjoy a cup of tea with the perfect concentration? Let’s use white tea as an example. 01First, it's important to clarify that there are two different interpretations of the term "concentration" when it comes to white tea infusions: The first interpretation is conceptual: the concentration of the tea infusion is the amount of soluble substances present in a given volume of tea. The more soluble substances released, the more concentrated the tea. The second interpretation is based on the taster’s subjective experience: the stronger the taste sensation, the more concentrated the tea is perceived to be. If someone says, “the more bitter and astringent the tea, the higher its concentration,” this would align more with the second interpretation. However, the primary…

Pu'er tea is a distinctive type of Chinese tea, renowned for its rich flavor and unique taste, capturing the hearts of many tea enthusiasts. Pu'er tea has always been a favorite among tea lovers due to its excellent health benefits and suitability as a wellness choice. However, for those who love drinking tea, enjoying a good cup of Pu'er tea not only depends on the quality of the tea but also on mastering the art of brewing it. How can you brew raw Pu'er tea to make it even more enjoyable? Let’s explore a simple method for brewing Pu'er tea. Brewing Pu'er Tea for Optimal Flavor Pu'er tea comes in two varieties: raw (sheng) and ripe (shou). Raw Pu'er tea, after sun-drying, has a restrained flavor and is typically drunk as loose leaves or broken off from compressed cakes. Ripe Pu'er tea, after undergoing pile fermentation, undergoes internal changes that make its components easy to extract; it is often sold as compressed teas, such as cakes or tuos. From the processing methods, we can deduce that when brewing raw Pu'er, the focus is on releasing its aroma and flavor, while with ripe Pu'er, the aim is to allow a graceful…

   The seven correct steps for brewing tea: boiling water, washing cups, adding tea leaves, infusing, pouring tea, serving tea, and savoring the tea.    The first step is to boil the water for brewing. The second step is to rinse the teaware with boiling water. The third step is to add the tea leaves to the cup. The fourth step is to pour water over the leaves to infuse them. The fifth step is to distribute the tea into the cups. The sixth step is to serve the tea to guests. The seventh step is to enjoy the tea with guests or friends. One; Boiling Water    For brewing tea, mountain spring water, purified water, and mineral water are ideal choices. Regardless of whether you need water at 80 degrees Celsius or 90 degrees Celsius, it must be boiled first before cooling to the desired temperature. Two; Washing Cups    Pour hot water into the teapot, gaiwan, aroma cup, and tasting cup. This process, known as warming and rinsing the teaware, cleans the utensils and raises their temperature, which helps in bringing out the aroma of the tea later on. Be sure to quickly discard the water. Three; Adding…

Oolong tea, also known as Qingcha or semi-fermented tea, is a distinctive category among the major types of Chinese teas. Oolong tea is made through processes such as killing green, withering, shaking green, fermentation, and baking, resulting in a high-quality tea. Characteristic oolong tea has red edges on the leaves and a green center, with a yellowish-red infusion, rich flavor, and unique floral and fruity aromas that linger long after tasting. Famous oolong teas include: Fujian Tieguanyin, Phoenix Dancong tea, Dongding Oolong tea, and Wuyi Dahongpao. "The pot is the father of tea, water is the mother of tea, charcoal is the friend of tea," when it comes to brewing tea, the teapot is extremely important. So, what kind of purple clay pot is suitable for oolong tea? In terms of clay material: The infusion color of oolong tea is mostly orange-yellow or golden yellow. Based on this characteristic, suitable purple clay pot materials for oolong tea can be selected from duan clay, original green clay, zuni (red clay), and red clay. The taste of oolong tea is full-bodied and its aroma is rich, which is one of the most significant features of oolong tea: its high aroma. Therefore, you…