Brew Tea

Tea, seemingly just a small drink to quench one's thirst, but upon closer appreciation, one can uncover its charm. For those who enjoy tea, drinking alone is enjoyable, as is inviting a few close friends to share a cup. Whether on a journey, in the park, or on the grass, brewing a cup of tea adds a unique pleasure to these moments. Beautiful appearances are all the same, but interesting souls find joy in tea. Those who love tea can glimpse into the past and future through the minutiae of daily life, and they can also encounter another version of themselves in the aroma of tea. When everyday life serves as the vessel, the tea's fragrance lingers far and wide; when the tea's aroma nourishes us, the world shares in its delight. The charm of tea is like that of a dancing plant; while many flowers are beautiful and captivating, only this one can move to a dance. To truly love tea, one must first understand it. I have interviewed several "tea enthusiasts" and "tea fanatics," whose deep affection for tea knows no bounds. Each year, they travel extensively across the major tea mountains in Wuyi, familiarizing themselves with every…

During spring, a person's liver qi tends to become excessively active, which can have adverse effects on the spleen and stomach. Spring is also the season when yang energy rises, making it a time when various pathogens and microorganisms thrive and reproduce. As such, diseases tend to be more prevalent during this period, making spring health preservation particularly important. Tea is described in "Compendium of Materia Medica" as: “Ming, bitter tea. Ming, bitter in taste, slightly cold, non-toxic. It is primarily used for acne, promotes urination, clears phlegm, and quenches thirst. It also helps with sleeplessness and is best harvested in autumn. Bitter tea is used to regulate qi, eliminate food residue from the previous day, and when made into a drink, it can include ingredients like mountain hawthorn, green onions, and ginger.” Here, tea is characterized by its nature and taste as “slightly cold” and “bitter.” According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, sweetness is considered nourishing, while bitterness has a purgative effect, so tea possesses both nourishing and purgative properties. Thus, there is the saying that “tea is a remedy for all illnesses.” Many historical records in China mention the benefits of Pu'er tea, suggesting that “Pu'er tea…

Recently, some tea enthusiasts have been asking me if it’s best to brew tea using a purple clay pot? What are the best brewing tools for green tea, black tea, and Pu'er tea? Before I address these questions, I should clarify that I’m pretty much a novice when it comes to purple clay pots. I only know a little about them, even though I have quite a few here and have used several of them, so I do have some practical experience. However, I don’t know much about their cultural history. Today, I’d like to share my thoughts with you. Let’s start by categorizing teas. First, there is green tea, which is most commonly brewed in a teacup, be it porcelain or glass. Every tea drinker knows that this is the simplest, most common, and most practical method. However, some also use gaiwans, purple clay pots, Jian ware, or porcelain kettles. But brewing tea in paper cups is not recommended; it's merely for convenience! If you use a paper cup for more expensive teas, you’re essentially wasting it. Additionally, brewing in multiple infusions can enhance the layers of flavor in the tea. Each infusion brings a slightly different experience, avoiding…

Each type of tea has a specific suitable water temperature for brewing; some types must be steeped directly in boiling water, while others require cooling before steeping, or they will taste unpleasant. However, many seasoned tea drinkers believe that regardless of the type of tea, it should always be steeped in boiling water to bring out its aroma. If you were to say your tea cannot be steeped in boiling water, then sorry, they would immediately assume it is not of good quality. There is indeed a saying: "Good tea isn't afraid of being scalded by boiling water." Is this really true? 01. Why Isn't Good Tea Afraid of Being Scalded by Boiling Water? Judging whether something is "good tea" is subjective for everyone. Good tea is relative, but if we are objective, good tea is determined by good raw materials and good processing methods. If these two conditions are met, the quality of the tea is generally assured. Good raw materials determine that the tea leaves contain abundant substances, are resistant to brewing and can withstand high temperatures without revealing their true colors with just one steeping; good processing ensures stable extraction rates, and if there are issues with…

The so-called tea cooking method refers to brewing and then drinking the tea. Directly placing the tea in a pot to cook it was the most common way of drinking tea in China before the Tang Dynasty. There are records about the tea cooking process in Lu Yu's The Classic of Tea. Pu'er Ripened Tea Cooking Method Steps To start cooking the tea, prepare the necessary tools. For beginners just starting with Pu'er tea, a glass teapot is recommended as it is both economical and practical, and also allows for observing changes in the color of the tea broth, which helps determine the right time to pour it out. Next, prepare 8 to 10 grams of ripened Pu'er. Rinse it first using a lidded bowl, or you can steep it a few times before cooking. Finally, begin the actual cooking process by heating the water until it is gently boiling, then add the prepared ripened tea. Once the water in the pot starts boiling completely and the tea broth darkens, you can pour it out. Note that when cooking tea, it is recommended to pour out only half or two-thirds of the first batch of tea broth to drink, leaving…

The ideal brewing water temperature for green tea is around 80°C. The brewing time can vary depending on the type of tea and the purpose of brewing. For brewing where the tea leaves are separated from the water, we recommend steeping for 15 seconds for the first infusion, 20 seconds for the second, 30 seconds for the third, and 40 seconds for the fourth. This method results in a better-tasting tea without compromising the nutritional value of the leaves. What is the Suitable Brewing Temperature for Green Tea? 1. The water temperature for brewing varies with the type of tea. For high-quality green teas, especially those with fine and tender buds, use boiling water that has cooled to around 80-85°C. Higher temperatures can destroy vitamin C in the tea and cause caffeine to leach out, making the tea yellow and more bitter. 2. If you are selling tea and want to showcase its aroma, flavor, and appearance to customers immediately, you should use boiling water at 100°C. 3. When enjoying tea with friends, use water at 80-85°C to bring out the unique strong aroma and fresh, smooth taste, along with a light green color. Take your time to appreciate the…

It's often said that the more you drink tea, the more discerning your palate becomes. The term “discerning” here refers to being overly selective, and this trait can be observed in both drinking tea and eating meals. But is becoming more discerning with tea a good thing or a bad thing? Today, Cup Xiaocha would like to hear what tea enthusiasts think. There are two main ways in which one’s palate becomes more discerning with tea. Firstly, the variety of teas consumed increases. For example, one might start by drinking green tea but then gradually explore new flavors, such as black tea, Pu'er, and Oolong. Eating the same dishes every day can indeed become tiresome; regularly changing the menu keeps things interesting. After drinking Oolong tea, there might come a time when one wants to return to green tea, thus continually rotating between different types. Secondly, the quality of tea consumed improves. Quality, simply put, is closely tied to price. When starting with Oolong tea, one might not be able to distinguish between good and bad teas, but over time, their ability to appreciate tea grows. They develop preferences for specific varieties and origins and form their own opinions on…

Tea drinking, much like coffee drinking, can be addictive. Once you experience the joy, you might find yourself engrossed in certain behaviors without even realizing it. How many of these apply to you? Stockpiling tea The desire to stockpile tea is similar to the urge to stockpile groceries. When you finally manage to buy some, why not stock up a bit more? What if it becomes unavailable later on? Or what if the price goes up? And so, you end up with... more tea than you can drink. Buying various teaware A good horse deserves a good saddle, and fine tea deserves beautiful teaware. Longjing tea should be paired with a celadon porcelain cup, Houqiu with a simple Sung-style glass bottle, and Wuyi rock tea wouldn't be complete without a set of gongfu tea ware... Before you know it, your collection of cups and pots has grown exponentially. Your storage cabinet is filled with all sorts of teaware of different shapes, materials, and styles. In a way, these collections represent the various moods of the tea drinker. Feeling an itch to try new teas Chinese tea has strong regional characteristics, and the same leaf can produce countless flavors. For tea…

Tea has a multitude of health benefits. While drinking tea regularly is generally good for your health, choosing the right type of tea according to your body's condition can enhance its health benefits. Women, as a special group, often have times when their bodies are not at their best, so they need to be more mindful than men when drinking tea. Let’s take a closer look~ 01 How to Choose Your Tea? When drinking tea, you can choose the type based on your own constitution and the nature of the tea. Chinese teas are divided into six main categories: green tea, black tea (red in China), yellow tea, white tea, oolong tea, and dark tea. Black tea (red in China) is warm in nature and suitable for those who suffer from cold hands and feet, are weak, or are older. Green tea is cool in nature and is appropriate for those with a hot constitution or high energy levels, as well as people who work in front of computers frequently. Yellow tea is similar to green tea in terms of properties. Oolong tea is neutral in nature, fragrant, and sweet-tasting, making it suitable for most people. Dark tea is warm…

The Huangdi Neijing (The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine) states that "the lungs govern the skin and hair." With each breath we take, the lungs, through their function of dispersion, distribute vital energy and body fluids throughout the body to nourish the skin and hair, maintaining normal skin metabolism. If there are issues with the lungs, they often manifest through our skin. For example, dull skin without luster, roughness, and enlarged pores... To nourish the lungs and beautify the skin, according to the principle of "five colors correspond to five organs," there is a saying that "white nourishes the lungs." Mentioning white, tea enthusiasts immediately think of white tea. Silver Needle White Tea, made from tea buds, stands out among all white teas as particularly charming. Some describe it as "green snow bud" and call it the beauty among teas. Besides its high aesthetic value, Silver Needle is also rich in nutrients, with amino acid content reaching up to 9%. Its polyphenol content is also high, and after being stored for a year, it becomes richer in flavonoids. Silver Needle is not only widely recognized and consumed by the general public; its components' effects have been researched by countries…

Water is the mother of tea, and the vessel is its father. To brew a good cup of tea, both the choice of water and the brewing vessel are crucial. What kind of tea ware should you choose when brewing Pu'er tea to best present its characteristics?A fine cup of tea is the result of a harmonious interplay between the tea, water, and vessel. When selecting tea ware, practicality should be the primary consideration, followed by aesthetics and overall coordination. There are various types of tea brewing vessels, made from materials such as porcelain, clay, and glass, in different shapes, including teapots and covered bowls. Today, we will introduce some commonly used tea wares for brewing Pu'er tea. 1. Covered Bowl (Gaiwan) A covered bowl, also known as a gaiwan, is a three-piece tea ware set consisting of a lid, bowl, and saucer. Mr. Lu Xun once said, “To enjoy good tea, one should use a covered bowl.” Gaiwans are widely used and are often referred to as "versatile tea wares," suitable for brewing almost any type of tea. White porcelain gaiwans do not absorb the aroma of the tea, have good heat dissipation, are easy to control and clean,…

Why is Water Temperature So Important for Lapsang Souchong? Lapsang Souchong is a unique type of black tea, beloved by tea enthusiasts for its distinctive aroma and flavor. However, brewing Lapsang Souchong is not as simple as pouring hot water; the temperature plays a crucial role. The right temperature maximizes the release of the tea's aroma and taste, allowing you to enjoy a perfect cup of black tea. (Image source: network, delete upon request) The Optimal Water Temperature for Brewing Lapsang Souchong The optimal water temperature for brewing Lapsang Souchong is typically between 90°C and 95°C. This temperature range fully releases the aromatic compounds and polyphenols in the leaves, resulting in a richly fragrant and full-bodied tea. If the water is too hot, it can destroy the delicate compounds in the leaves, leading to a bitter taste; if the water is too cold, it cannot adequately extract the active ingredients, making the tea bland and tasteless. (Image source: network, delete upon request) How to Control the Water Temperature Use a Thermometer: The most direct method is to use a thermometer to ensure the water temperature is between 90°C and 95°C. Observe the State of the Water: If you don't have…

How can Pu'er shengcha be brewed to taste better? Today, we will demonstrate using this example of Banshan Pu'er shengcha from old trees. This Banshan tea is made from old tree leaves and originates from a tea region in Ning'er County, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province. During the Qing Dynasty, the Banshan tea region was a royal tribute tea garden. The overall ecological environment here is excellent, with high mountains and dense forests, making the tea rich in internal substances. This tea is produced almost every year and has a very good taste-to-price ratio. A significant feature is that it is pressed by hand using a stone mill. Pu'er tea cakes pressed by hand with a stone mill are moderately tight, have beautiful tea strands, and are conducive to aging. The most prominent taste characteristic of Banshan Pu'er tea is its clarity and sweetness, smoothness, and distinct floral and fruity aromas. We can use a conventional brewing method for this tea. We'll brew it in a gaiwan. Before brewing, we'll warm the cup, which significantly enhances the aroma of the tea. Next, add the tea. The tea strands of this tea are relatively intact. We're using 8 grams of tea. The…

The first infusion of brewed tea doesn’t need to be discarded. Firstly, the volume of water used in brewing tea is usually quite large, and discarding the brew would be wasteful. Secondly, when brewing tea, the tea is added after the water has boiled, and once it boils again, the tea can be poured out and consumed; there's no need for a rinse. Thirdly, the tea broth from brewing is sweet, mellow, full-bodied, and smooth. Discarding it would result in the loss of its flavors and prevent you from tasting its true essence. Should the First Infusion of Brewed Tea Be Discarded? Whether to discard the first infusion of tea depends on the type of tea, and one should not blindly decide whether to discard or keep it. 1. If the tea is light in flavor, it’s not recommended to discard the first infusion; it’s best to taste it as it is. 2. If the tea is rich in flavor, it’s recommended to discard the first infusion since it doesn't fully represent the tea's taste. 3. For aged teas, it is advisable to discard the first infusion. This serves two purposes: cleaning off any dust and waking up the tea.…

The brewing method for aged Pu'er tea differs significantly from that of new tea. With new teas, there are many varieties, and the focus during brewing is often on identifying any shortcomings. For aged teas, however, quality is high and quantity is limited, so the goal when brewing is to highlight its strengths and minimize its weaknesses, doing justice to this precious aged tea. Brewing Pu'er tea requires skill and attention to detail. As the saying goes: "The devil is in the details." Brewing tea is not only a technical skill but also a meticulous one. Here are four key phrases to remember. How to brew aged Pu'er tea for the best flavor? Catchphrase 1: Awaken the tea before brewing. Aged Pu'er tea is stored in an environment with low oxygen, dryness, and no light, which keeps its internal substances in a state of low activity. Without awakening the tea, the flavor will be flat and unappealing. Therefore, before brewing aged tea, it's necessary to awaken its qualities, quickly elevating them to a higher standard. The process of awakening the tea can be done dry or wet. Dry awakening involves opening the packaging of the stored aged Pu'er tea and…

The abundance of June has arrived as scheduled, and the weather is gradually getting hotter; it’s easy for the body to become overheated without proper care. The right way to enjoy summer is no longer just about turning on the air conditioner, eating chilled watermelon, or drinking cold beverages, as these can easily upset your stomach… Brewing a suitable tea for summer, which is healthy, cooling, and timely, is the best answer to welcome the summer season. It’s not only important to choose the right tea but also quality tea, and very importantly—brew it well! A cup of tea with a fresh and rich flavor is something that no one can resist. Once your taste buds touch it, you cannot easily give it up. The extraordinary appeal of tea is probably because tea is truly remarkable! 01 Tea, Tied to National Fortune Tea was China’s largest export commodity in the 19th century. Tea originated in China. In the 19th century, Chinese tea spread almost globally, and the word for tea in Western languages is derived from the pronunciation in Fujianese and Cantonese dialects. From the 17th to the 19th centuries, tea had intricate connections with the fates of China, Britain,…

Green tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, renowned for its refreshing and delicate taste as well as its health benefits. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced tea enthusiast, mastering a few basic brewing methods can help you better enjoy every cup of green tea. In this article, we will detail three classic methods of brewing green tea to help you achieve the perfect infusion. (Image source: Internet, delete upon request) Method One: Traditional Glass Cup Brewing Brewing green tea using a glass cup is a simple yet elegant method. The transparency of the glass not only allows you to appreciate the graceful dance of the leaves in water but also helps you better control the water temperature and steeping time. (Image source: Internet, delete upon request) Materials Needed Glass cup Green tea leaves (such as Longjing, Biluochun, etc.) Purified water Detailed Steps Warm the cup: Before brewing, preheat the glass cup with hot water. This step helps maintain the temperature of the tea infusion and better releases the aroma of the tea leaves. Add tea leaves: Place an appropriate amount of green tea leaves into the glass cup; generally, 3 grams of tea per…

As the saying goes: "People cherish life; at every seasonal change, one should focus on self-care, with the two solstices being particularly crucial." These two solstices refer to the summer and winter solstices, both of which are vital periods for health preservation. After the summer solstice, most regions in our country enter the peak of summer, the most challenging period of heat. Since human metabolism is at its most active during this time, there is a significant increase in consumption, often leading to symptoms such as loss of appetite, dry mouth, excessive sweating, and difficulty sleeping. Those who understand the principles of health preservation will have their own secrets: drinking tea. Summer: Green Tea There's a tradition of adjusting tea choices according to the seasons, with the saying: "Spring for floral teas, summer for green, autumn for oolong, and winter for black." After the summer solstice, adjustments should be made to one's tea-drinking habits. Generally, after the summer solstice, one should drink green tea. Green tea has a bitter taste. Due to the ease of getting overheated after the summer solstice, drinking green tea has a cooling effect that can help reduce internal heat and continuously replenish lost fluids. It…

Basic Introduction to Begonia Tea Begonias are not only beautiful ornamental plants but also a very beneficial traditional Chinese medicine. Begonia tea is considered to have many health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine; it can help improve the body's immunity and has unique health-preserving effects. Brewing a cup of sweet begonia flower tea allows you to enjoy the bounty of nature while feeling the positive changes in your body. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Main Benefits of Begonia Tea Firstly, begonia flower tea helps to clear heat and detoxify. This tea can help reduce internal heat in the body, making it especially suitable for consumption during hot summers. Its heat-clearing effects can alleviate symptoms such as dry mouth and throat pain, helping to keep the body cool and comfortable. Secondly, begonia flower tea aids in beauty and skin care. Begonia flowers are rich in vitamin C and various antioxidants that effectively combat free radicals and delay skin aging. Regular consumption of begonia flower tea can make the skin smoother and finer, reducing the formation of wrinkles and age spots. (Image source: network, delete upon request) In addition, begonia flower tea can improve digestive function. It has a gentle effect…

Compared to green tea, black tea (red tea in China), and oolong tea, some people may be less familiar with dark tea, which is also one of the six major types of tea. So how do you select dark tea? And what are the ways to enjoy it? Let's take a look together, tea enthusiasts! ONE How to Select Dark Tea Appearance If it's compressed tea, high-quality dark tea typically has these features: intact brick surface, clear mold pattern, distinct edges, no cracks on the side, no old stalks, and not too many fine tea fragments mixed in. If it's loose tea, then even, lustrous strands indicate good quality. Taking premium Fu brick tea and Qianliang tea as examples, vibrant "golden flowers," large and abundant, are key characteristics of top-quality teas. Aroma High-quality dark tea carries a fragrant aroma of fungi or smells like pine smoke; aged tea has a mature fragrance. For example, both Fu brick tea and Qianliang tea have a unique fungal aroma; while wild dark tea has a faint, refreshing scent that can be invigorating. The aroma of the brewed tea can also serve as an important criterion for identification. The tea liquor of aged dark…

There is an old saying: "Preserved tangerine peel of a hundred years is like ginseng of a thousand years," meaning that the longer the tangerine peel is preserved, the more valuable it becomes. Runyuanchang's pure dry warehouse for Newhui preserved tangerine peel strictly categorizes and stores the peels according to their origin, age, and grade. The warehouse maintains constant temperature and humidity, and conducts regular inspections, ensuring the high quality of Runyuanchang and its brand Ganrentang's Newhui preserved tangerine peel, which stands out for its clean and sweet flavor compared to other preserved tangerine peels on the market. Nowadays, many people have the habit of using preserved tangerine peel in their cooking. Whether it's in soups or stir-fries, some recipes opt to use tangerine peel instead of scallions and ginger to avoid being too spicy, as it not only detoxifies fish and shrimp but also adds a unique aroma and removes fishy odors. Adding some to mutton or beef soup can help cut through the fat and make the meat cook faster. When cooked with rice porridge, it not only enhances the fragrance but also warms the stomach. Many recipes for using tangerine peel in cooking have been discovered. 1.…

Yixing purple clay pots are renowned traditional tea brewing vessels in China. A purple clay pot enhances the color of the tea without overpowering its aroma, maximizing the release of its flavor. Here are several points to consider when brewing tea with a purple clay pot. 1. Warming the Pot The pot and cups should be heated with hot water both inside and out. This not only cleans the pot but also warms it, enhancing the awakening of flavors. Soaking both the interior and exterior can prevent the buildup of residue from previous brews. After warming the pot, pour the water into the fair cup and tea cups to rinse them. 2. Warming the Cups ① Warming the cups serves to clean the tea utensils. Even when left on the tea tray, they can collect dust. Before brewing, rinsing them with boiling water effectively removes any grime. ② Warming the cups helps better release the tea's aroma. Different aromas have different boiling points and can be affected by heat. When the room temperature is low, the cups will also be cooler, which can affect the water temperature during brewing and thus the flavor. Warm cups also prevent the tea from…

In order to brew ripened tea in a tasty manner, the author conducted experiments on various aspects such as the brewing vessel, water, and brewing techniques. Here are some insights gained. The general approach is: first, analyze the nature of the tea and identify its characteristics; second, determine the brewing objectives based on these characteristics, aiming to follow the natural flow and capitalize on strengths while mitigating weaknesses; third, consider specific means to achieve these goals; finally, further analyze through practice to validate and adjust accordingly. 1. Analyzing the Nature of the Tea In terms of aroma. New ripened teas have a pile fermentation smell, but good teas will develop floral honey aromas or even aged aromas during mid-to-late infusions. Aged ripened teas have storage and withered leaf aromas, but good aged teas will develop excellent aged aromas or even medicinal aromas during mid-to-late infusions. In terms of taste. New ripened teas are no longer very stimulating or astringent, but they have a pleasant mouthfeel. When brewed properly, they can exhibit a viscous and sandy texture like red bean soup. Aged ripened teas have a clearer broth and milder taste, but they can have a high level of smoothness and…

Tea enthusiasts enjoy brewing tea to a certain level, making each session a delight in their daily lives. Brewing a good cup of tea requires more than just the right teaware and water quality; the brewing method is equally important. When brewing tea, there are two methods: dry brewing and wet brewing. Do you know what dry brewing and wet brewing mean? Wet Brewing The so-called wet brewing method is the most familiar way of brewing tea in everyday life. Washing the teaware and tea leaves on the tea table, pouring hot water over the teaware, and letting the water directly spill onto the tea table—this is known as wet brewing. The most direct way to determine if the wet brewing method is being used is whether the tea table has a large surface area or if water can be poured directly onto it. A large tea table serves the purpose of allowing the rinse water from cleaning teaware and tea leaves, as well as excess tea water, to be poured directly onto it. As a result, the tea table appears damp, hence the term "wet brewing." The modern wet brewing tea tray originated from Chaozhou Gongfu tea, where hot…