Brew Tea

Ripened Pu'er tea can be tricky to brew. It's easy to end up with a weak flavor, thin mouthfeel, and sometimes an unpleasant aroma. Even well-stored teas can produce a drying, tight sensation in the throat, which is quite perplexing. So how can we brew ripened Pu'er tea for a better taste? 1. Analyze the Tea's Nature In terms of aroma, new ripened teas have a piling smell, but good teas will develop floral and honey-like aromas or even aged scents as they are brewed. Older ripened teas may have storage and dried leaf aromas, but good old teas will exhibit excellent aged or medicinal aromas as they are brewed. In terms of flavor, new ripened teas are not very astringent or stimulating, but they do have a better mouthfeel. When brewed properly, they can present a smooth and sandy texture similar to red bean soup. Older ripened teas have a clearer broth and milder flavor, but they can achieve a high level of smoothness and oiliness when brewed properly, even reaching a state of "melting." Generally speaking, ripened teas are not very complex and tend not to hold up through many infusions. 2. Establish Goals Based on the Tea's…

Transparent glass cups, leisure cups, and white porcelain bowls with lids are ideal for brewing green tea. For green tea, you can choose a transparent, patternless glass cup or white, light blue, or blue-and-white porcelain cups without lids. A patternless glass cup is best as it allows for better appreciation of the green tea's shape and color. What Kind of Tea Ware Is Best for Green Tea? 1. Porcelain Cups Porcelain cups are suitable for brewing mid-to-high-grade green teas, such as stir-fried green teas (grades one and two), pearl green teas, baked green teas, sun-dried green teas, etc., where the focus is on taste, flavor, or quenching thirst. Typically, observe the tea’s color, aroma, and shape before brewing. The "middle infusion method" can be used, pouring near-boiling water at 95–100°C over the tea, and covering the cup to retain the aroma and maintain the water temperature, which helps the tea leaves to unfurl and sink to the bottom of the cup. After 3–5 minutes, remove the lid, smell the aroma, taste the tea, and judge the strength of the tea soup. Drink up to three infusions. This brewing method is convenient for serving guests or drinking tea during office hours.…

As is well known, the advantage of purple clay teapots lies in tea brewing. What is the connection between them? Generally speaking, purple clay teapots are not picky about the type of tea; any kind of tea can be brewed using a purple clay teapot. However, how to best match the characteristics of the pot with those of the tea is a question worth studying. Brewing certain teas in specific pots can make the pot more lustrous and produce a richer, more fragrant infusion. 1. Crimson Clay Teapot 【Crimson Clay Teapot】usually has a high mesh count and a dense structure, which results in minimal loss of the aroma of highly aromatic teas. It enhances the tea's qualities by concentrating and enhancing its fragrance, making it an excellent companion for oolong teas. Crimson clay teapots are suitable for brewing highly aromatic teas such as Taiwanese high mountain teas and Tieguanyin from Anxi, effectively bringing out their aromatic properties. Teapots used to brew Tieguanyin often develop a particularly bright sheen due to the rich aromatic oils in the tea leaves. It should be noted that crimson clay has a very high shrinkage ratio and is prone to cracking due to thermal expansion…

Nowadays, the tea culture is thriving, and all sorts of peculiar tea-related activities emerge endlessly, which is quite interesting to ponder. If we categorize different types of tea-related activities, there are at least four beauties in tea. ① The Beauty of Vulgarity Don't underestimate the expertise among ordinary people. Sitting in a taxi stuck on a smoggy highway, one's irritability seems to echo with the incessant honking outside. At this moment, the driver twists open his thermos cup, and an intense jasmine fragrance instantly fills the small cabin. "Wow, that smells great! Is it around 400 RMB per kilo?" "Nope, more like over 500. I'm always rushing around outside, so I need to drink something good..." For a while, the driver savors his tea happily, and the passenger enjoys the scent contentedly. In fact, tea-related activities can be both vulgar and elegant. This scene, which happens every day in various corners of the city, perfectly illustrates the beauty of vulgarity in tea. ② The Beauty of Rationality Some tea enthusiasts are very particular about the quality of tea. They focus on factors such as tree species, processing techniques, authenticity, grade, primary brewing tools, the three essentials of tea brewing, water…

Understanding Your Tea Drinking tea is not just a daily habit, but also an art of living. Whether you are new to tea or have some experience, the right brewing method can enhance your enjoyment of its aroma and flavor. Today, let's explore how to brew tea correctly, from selecting the tea to the final savoring, with each step being crucial. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Green Tea Green tea is unfermented, preserving the natural components of the tea leaves. Representative green teas include Longjing, Biluochun, and Mao Feng. The tea liquor brewed from green tea is clear, with a fresh and refreshing taste and a light, delicate fragrance. Black Tea Black tea is fully fermented, with a darker color, bright red liquor, and a rich taste. Common black teas include Keemun, Darjeeling, and Assam. Oolong Tea Oolong tea lies between green and black tea, as it is partially fermented. There are many types of oolong tea, such as Tieguanyin, Dahongpao, and Wuyi Rock Tea. The tea liquor is golden yellow, fragrant, and has a rich taste. White Tea White tea is the least fermented, with a simple production process involving only withering and drying. Representative white teas include…

Yunnan Mei Zhan black tea is made from the fresh leaves of the Mei Zhan tea tree in Yunnan, which are fermented to produce a black tea. Genuine Yunnan Mei Zhan black tea has a relatively low yield; its appearance is robust and substantial, with a dark, lustrous color, visible tea tips, and a fragrant, rich flavor that is smooth, delicate, and full-bodied, with a high level of sweetness and good steepability. Brewing Yunnan Mei Zhan black tea can be done by following these steps. Brewing Steps for Yunnan Mei Zhan Black Tea 1. Boil Water Fill a kettle with fresh cold water and bring it to a boil. Fresh water that meets drinking standards contains air, which helps to fully release the aroma of black tea. Overnight water, re-boiled water, or hot water from a thermos should not be used for brewing black tea. 2. Warm the Utensils Pour boiling water into the teapot and teacups to raise their temperature, which aids in releasing the aroma when you brew the tea later. Pour the water in a gradual, intermittent manner to avoid significant changes in temperature. 3. Add the Tea To make a strong tea, use 1 teaspoon (about…

Ripe tea is relatively challenging to brew. It's easy to end up with a weak flavor, thin mouthfeel, and even an unpleasant aroma. Even more frustratingly, a tea that has been stored well can produce a drying, harsh sensation in the throat when brewed. This can be quite perplexing. Brewing a great cup of Pu'er ripe tea requires just one simple trick. The first infusion is for washing the tea. The first infusion of ripe Pu'er is crucial. Pour the water slowly, directly onto the leaves without stirring them. Wait about ten to fifteen seconds (add ten seconds for aged teas). Since it's a compressed tea, this allows the tea cake to absorb water internally. Otherwise, the first few infusions will have a light color, while subsequent infusions will resemble soy sauce. Discard the first infusion. Starting from the second infusion, pour water low and directly over one spot, allowing the tea to flow down the side of the cup. Here's the key: tilt the pitcher so the tea flows along the side. This stabilizes the tea's contents and ensures a smooth thickness. Empty the pitcher completely after each infusion. For the first six to seven infusions, brew immediately and…

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…

Enshi selenium-rich tea is cherished for its unique geographical environment and abundant selenium content, making it a precious type of tea. Selenium-rich tea not only has a distinctive taste but also offers various benefits and effects. Let's explore together how to brew a perfect cup of Enshi selenium-rich tea. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Select High-Quality Enshi Selenium-Rich Tea The key to brewing tea lies in the quality of the tea leaves themselves. Choose high-quality Enshi selenium-rich tea, which can be purchased at tea markets or online platforms to ensure authenticity. Prepare Clean Water The quality of water significantly impacts the taste of the tea. It's best to use mineral water or filtered water. Chlorine and other impurities in tap water may spoil the taste of the tea. Control Water Temperature The optimal brewing temperature for Enshi selenium-rich tea is between 80°C and 85°C. Too high a temperature can cause the loss of the tea's aroma and nutrients, while too low a temperature will not fully release the tea's fragrance. A thermometer can be used to precisely control the water temperature. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Warm the Teaware and Rinse the Tea Before officially brewing the tea,…

The simple character for tea contains profound truths about the cycle of nature. The character for tea, when broken down, means "human among grass and wood," implying that human nature is hidden within plants and that humans transform through their interaction with them. Adapting to the natural flow of time is the foundation of health preservation. Today, Cup Xiaocha selects 14 solar terms from the 24 solar terms and introduces 14 corresponding teas along with their benefits. There are specific considerations for drinking tea during different seasons. Adjust your tea-drinking habits according to natural changes. Tees picked at different times of the year have distinct characteristics, which can either nourish or drain, stimulate or calm, depending on the state of the person and the season. These seasonal teas adjust the body's imbalances to achieve harmony between yin and yang. As winter turns into spring and summer gives way to autumn, each tea has its own unique properties. 14 Seasonal Teas, Corresponding to 14 Benefits 1. Pre-Ming Tea Leaves picked before the Qingming (Pure Brightness) solar term are known as Pre-Ming Tea. Pre-Ming Tea is the first harvest of spring. After a dormant winter, the buds break through the bark, much…

Many tea enthusiasts may have a question: should we make a sound when drinking tea? We've all heard the argument that: Making a "tsk-tsk" sound while sipping tea is a sign of approval for the host's tea, with louder sounds indicating greater appreciation. However, many tea lovers find the "whoosh" sound made while drinking tea to be odd and impolite. In fact, this behavior, though seemingly unrefined, is actually the most professional and authentic way to taste tea. In fact, making a sound when drinking tea has historical records. The more official record is based on tea evaluation, a method known as the "suction method": Curl the sides of your tongue Rapidly suck in the tea This will create a "tsk-tsk" sound If necessary, "tsk-tsk" several times To quickly expose the entire mouth to the tea Taste the flavor Then let the tea's aroma directly reach the palate Transmitting it to the olfactory senses Hold the tea in the mouth Stir the tea using various techniques To fully engage with the taste buds on the tongue Once a judgment can be made about the tea It is spat out In tea evaluation, you do not swallow the tea. 01 Is…

Different teas serve different purposes for your body, so it's important to choose carefully. Here are some specific teas suitable for summer: 1 Flower Tea Flower tea is often regarded as a natural health drink and is very suitable for consumption in the summer. Drinking flower tea in summer can help cool you down and quench thirst. Additionally, it can aid digestion, improve complexion, treat colds, and relieve irritability. In summer, it's best to choose cooling and heat-relieving flower teas, but if you have a weak spleen and stomach, you should consume them in moderation or avoid them altogether. If you have a weak spleen and stomach and still want to drink tea, it's better to choose warmer or neutral flower teas. 2 Ginger Tea According to traditional Chinese medicine, even though we feel hot in summer, our bodies are actually in a state of being externally hot and internally cold. Many people like to stay in cool places and eat cold foods in summer, which can be quite damaging to the spleen and stomach, potentially causing stomach pain or diarrhea. Therefore, when deciding what to drink in summer, it's best to choose warming foods or teas to regulate the…

Pu'er tea is a fairly common type of tea that we often drink in our daily lives because of its sweet and clear taste, which suits the palates of younger drinkers; it isn't bitter. However, it's important to know that after several infusions, the color of the Pu'er tea will fade and lose much of its flavor. Therefore, Pu'er tea can be continuously infused about 15 times before needing to be replaced. It's also important to note that the water temperature for brewing should be between 95 to 100 degrees Celsius. How Many Times Is Best to Infuse Pu'er Ripened Tea? Pu'er tea is more durable than most other types of tea and can typically be continuously infused over 10 times until the infusion becomes very light. Pu'er tea is usually brewed with boiling water at 95-100°C. High temperatures help release the aroma and facilitate the quick extraction of the tea's flavors. When boiling pure or mountain spring water, avoid excessive boiling to prevent a lack of oxygen in the water, which could affect the tea's activity. To ensure a purer aroma, a preliminary rinse, known as "water washing the face," may be necessary where the first infusion of boiling…

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…

Old white tea doesn't need to be boiled for too long, or it will become bitter and astringent, making it difficult to drink. When boiling the first pot of tea, the water doesn't need to boil for too long. After adding the tea, you can turn off the power source and use the residual heat to warm it up. Once the water stops boiling, you can pour out the tea and drink it. How Long to Boil White Tea? No Need for a Long Boil! The general boiling time for white tea is 3 to 5 minutes. Start by taking 5g of white tea and 500ml of cold water. Pour the cold water into the teapot and turn on the teapot switch, setting the temperature to 100°C. Once the water boils, remove the lid and add 5g of white tea to the pot. Boil again until it reaches boiling point, then turn off the heat. The boiling time should not be too long, generally around 3 to 5 minutes. There are two ways to boil white tea: one is to directly boil the dry tea, and the other is to first wake the tea with boiling water in a teacup…

Pu'er tea is a common variety we encounter, known for its unique quality of improving with age. However, Pu'er tea cakes, once pressed, tend to be quite compact, making it difficult to retrieve the tea. Many people end up breaking the tea into small pieces when trying to remove some. Today, we'll introduce a few tips that will help you smartly retrieve your Pu'er tea. How to Properly Pry Open a Pu'er Tea Cake? We notice that most Pu'er teas are pressed into cake shapes, commonly in the form of seven-cake rounds weighing 357 grams each. Nowadays, there are also cakes available in 200 grams and 100 grams. When you purchase a tea cake, do you know how to pry it open? This has led to various unconventional methods of retrieving tea, such as some enthusiasts using brute force with their hands or even kitchen knives. Are these among the methods you typically use? How to Retrieve Tea from a Pu'er Tea Cake Some less tightly compressed tea cakes can be opened by hand. Gently rub the edge of the cake, and the scattered leaves will be enough for one serving while maintaining the shape of the cake; for cakes…

Summer is a good season to expel cold dampness from the body. As temperatures rise, the humidity in the air also increases. This can be more harmful for people with high levels of dampness. Do you know how to eliminate dampness? Here are some recommended teas for removing dampness during summer.Tea isn't medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea isn't medicine, different body types should choose different types of tea. For those with high levels of dampness, the choice of tea should also vary... What Are the Dangers of High Levels of Dampness? 1. When dampness in the body meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; and when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it leads to obesity. 2. If dampness remains in the body, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces regularly. The tongue will appear yellow with a greasy coating. 3. People with high levels of dampness feel lethargic all day, which affects their digestive function. They feel heavy in their head, limbs, and waist, as if something is wrapping around their body, making them lazy to move. 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…

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…

As a member of the tea family, black tea seems destined to be sociable. It loves to pair with different ingredients and always stands out brilliantly. Black tea is perhaps the most accommodating of all teas. Add milk, and it becomes a milky tea; add fruit, and it turns into fruity black tea; add flowers, and it becomes a floral infusion. With such versatility, can you resist the urge to mix your own cup of delicious black tea? Honey Black Tea: Ingredients: Black tea, honey Preparation: Brew an appropriate amount of black tea and pour the tea into a drinking cup. Once it has cooled down, add honey and stir well before serving. Milky Black Tea: Ingredients: Black tea, pure milk, white sugar Preparation: Prepare the tea first. Warm the milk slightly and then mix it with the tea. The ratio of black tea to milk is usually 3:1, but adjust according to taste. If needed, add some white sugar for sweetness. Lemon Black Tea: Ingredients: 2-5 infusions of black tea, fresh lemon juice, rock sugar Preparation: Pour the black tea into a cup and add a few drops of fresh lemon juice. Rock sugar can be added to taste.…

Summer has arrived in the blink of an eye, and the hot weather can easily bring about symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, poor appetite, and even heatstroke. So how do you deal with them? You can do so by drinking tea, but it's important to drink the right kind of tea to avoid overdoing it and harming your health.Drink White Tea to Prevent Heatstroke Hot weather makes one prone to heatstroke, especially for those who often work or play outdoors. What you need to have on hand is white tea. White tea is a lightly fermented tea that goes through processes such as blanching and drying. It has a cool nature and contains abundant amino acids that have the effects of cooling and relieving summer heat, thus preventing heatstroke. Consumption Taboos: New white tea has a slightly cold nature, so people with a cold stomach should drink it in moderation and not on an empty stomach. They should choose aged tea at least five years old. Vine tea has a sweet and bland taste and a cool nature. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing summer heat and stimulating saliva production, removing rheumatism, strengthening muscles and bones,…

Raw Pu'er tea should be rinsed once. Made from large-leaf sun-dried green tea in Yunnan, raw Pu'er tea is characterized by its rich and strong flavor, full tea aroma, distinct throat resonance, and intense fragrance. Rinsing the tea helps to better activate the tea's vitality, facilitating the release of its aroma and taste substances. However, the number of rinses should not be excessive; generally, one rinse is sufficient. The True Purpose of Rinsing the Tea The true function of rinsing the tea lies in moistening the leaves to allow them to fully expand, also known as "moistening the tea" or "waking up the tea." This process helps to induce the tea's aroma and flavors, which will be better presented after the leaves have expanded, almost as if they are awakened. How to Brew Raw Pu'er Tea 1. Selecting the Utensil The first step in brewing raw Pu'er tea involves choosing the right utensils. Commonly used vessels for raw Pu'er include gaiwans and purple clay pots. Newer raw Pu'er is recommended to be brewed in a gaiwan, while older raw Pu'er is best suited for a purple clay pot. 2. Tea-to-Water Ratio To achieve a good taste, the tea-to-water ratio is…

Green tea is a widely popular beverage both domestically and internationally, known for its unique fragrance and fresh, refreshing taste. When brewing green tea, use water at an appropriate temperature — not too high — to fully release the aroma and flavor of the tea leaves. Additionally, do not steep the tea for too long to avoid bitterness from over-infusion. Drinking green tea in moderation not only provides a pleasant taste but also benefits health. How to Brew Green Tea Best To brew green tea best: 1) Warm the cup by placing the glass cup into a tea washer and pouring boiling water over it to clean and warm the cup; 2) Rinse the tea by adding 3-5g of green tea with a tea spoon into the glass cup and infusing it with water at 80-85°C, stirring the tea quickly and discarding the infusion after 3 seconds; 3) Steep the tea by continuing to pour hot water into the cup and waiting patiently for 1-2 minutes before drinking. 1) Warm the cup Before brewing green tea, place the glass cup into a tea washer and pour boiling water over it to clean and warm the cup. Alternatively, you can place…

Drinking tea is an ancient and artistic culinary culture, and in the process of tasting its aroma, strong and mild tea have always been points of discussion. Some people prefer the rich and full-bodied strong tea, while others favor the light and refreshing mild tea. So, is it better to drink strong or mild tea? This article will explore this question from different angles to help you choose a tea that best suits your taste. Advantages of Strong Tea: Rich Texture: Strong tea usually has a rich aroma and texture, giving a sense of depth and substance. Persistent Flavor: The rich texture and aftertaste of strong tea can linger in the mouth, leaving a lasting impression. Higher Nutrient Content: Strong tea contains higher levels of components like catechins and caffeine, which can help invigorate the mind and increase energy. Advantages of Mild Tea: Fresh Texture: Mild tea typically has a light and fragrant texture, providing a refreshing and crisp sensation. Better Experience of Tea Aroma: The texture of mild tea does not overpower the original aroma of the tea leaves, allowing for a better appreciation of their unique fragrance. Simpler Preparation: Brewing mild tea is relatively simple, requiring no extensive…

Brewing tea is a skillful task. The purpose of paying attention to brewing methods is to avoid the disadvantages of the tea and highlight its advantages, which can be described as making the most of its strengths while minimizing its weaknesses. If we pay attention to the brewing method, even if the green tea is of average quality, we can still optimize its taste; however, if we don't pay attention to the brewing method, even high-quality green tea will not deliver the taste that justifies its price. Brewing Methods for Green Tea 1. Top-Down Method: After warming and cleaning the teacup (teabowl), pour in hot water up to seven-tenths full at once, then wait until the water temperature is suitable before adding the tea leaves. This method is often used for finely processed green teas (such as Special Grade Biluochun, Special Grade Xinyang Maojian, and Mount Meng Ganlu). It is essential to control the water temperature accurately; the finer the tea, the lower the required water temperature. Some teas may need to be added when the water cools down to 70°C. Additionally, any tea brewed using this method can also be prepared using an ice-brewing method. 2. Middle-Down Method: After…