Why do many people like to brew tea with a gaiwan? A gaiwan, as the name suggests, is a teacup with a lid. Most of the gaiwans we see today typically consist of three parts: the lid, the teacup, and the saucer. These three parts are metaphorically referred to as heaven, earth, and human, hence the gaiwan is also known as the Three Talents Cup representing harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity. Benefits of Brewing Tea with a Gaiwan One, a gaiwan is suitable for brewing any type of tea. There is no tea that cannot be brewed with a gaiwan, unlike a glass cup which is only suitable for green tea and not other teas. Purple clay teapots are not ideal for brewing green tea or oolong tea. Additionally, due to the double-pore structure of purple clay teapots, they tend to absorb the flavor of the tea, so if you enjoy drinking a variety of teas, you would need a different teapot for each one. On the other hand, if you use a gaiwan, the porcelain does not absorb flavors. With just one gaiwan at home, you can adjust the brewing process slightly according to the nature of the…

Black tea is a fully fermented tea with a gentle nature. It contains a higher amount of caffeine and polyphenols. Those who are in poor health, have excessive internal heat, or are physically weak should not consume it. Those with sensitive stomachs should also avoid drinking large amounts of black tea as it may exacerbate gastrointestinal discomfort. Additionally, those with nervous system weaknesses or severe insomnia should refrain from drinking black tea as it could further impact their sleep. Who Should Avoid Drinking Black Tea? 1. Women should not drink strong black tea during the breastfeeding period. 2. Patients with ulcers should drink black tea with caution: black tea can stimulate gastric acid secretion. 3. Those suffering from malnutrition should avoid drinking black tea: black tea has the function of breaking down fat. 4. Individuals with a fever should avoid drinking black tea: the caffeine in black tea can increase body temperature and reduce the effectiveness of medication. 5. Patients with liver disease should avoid drinking black tea: most of the caffeine and other substances in black tea are metabolized by the liver. 6. Individuals with nerve weakness should drink black tea with caution: the caffeine in black tea can…

When selecting Pu'er tea, you can consider aspects such as appearance, infusion color, raw materials, origin, and storage conditions. Generally, Pu'er tea with a uniform shape, pure aroma, and bright, clear infusion color is of good quality. Different types of Pu'er tea have different selection methods, so it's best to follow the specific circumstances. Taking raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) Pu'er teas as examples: What Makes Good Pu'er Tea To determine the quality of Pu'er tea, consider the following: 1. Examine the Shape: High-quality Pu'er tea has a neat and regular shape, while lower-quality tea may have loose and incomplete strands. The best Pu'er tea has a uniform and regular shape, with neat edges, no missing corners, consistent thickness, moderate tightness, clear mold patterns, and glossy, clean strands. Lower-quality Pu'er tea will have loose and incomplete strands, dull colors without luster, and noticeable defects. 2. Smell the Aroma: High-quality Pu'er tea has a pure and lasting fragrance, free from any unusual or mixed odors. Even when the tea cools down, it still emits a pleasant aroma. Lower-quality Pu'er tea has noticeable and sometimes stimulating unusual odors. 3. Observe the Infusion Color: High-quality Pu'er tea produces a clear and bright infusion,…

Many think that brewing green tea simply involves adding hot water, but there are actually specific techniques. When brewing green tea, should you put the leaves in first or pour the water first? Those who know about tea understand that green tea has specific requirements for water temperature. However, many tea enthusiasts tend to use the bottom placement method when brewing green tea. Some may not be familiar with this term. Today, let’s learn about the three placement methods and which one is best for commonly consumed green teas. The Three Placement Methods for Brewing Tea 1. The order of placing tea matters When brewing tea, do you put the leaves in first or pour the water first? Or do you pour some water, add the leaves, and then pour more water? These questions might seem trivial, but different types of green tea require different placement methods. 2. Top Placement Method: Pour water first, then add the tea, letting it slowly sink This method is suitable for heavier-bodied, bud-rich teas like Biluochun and Xinyang Maojian. Due to their weight, the leaves will naturally sink after being added to the water, gradually releasing their flavor components. The tea fuzz on the…

"Before the spring rains after Qingming, we pick the fragrant smoke with our hands. The tender green barely fills the baskets, and the clear and harmonious days easily turn to dusk." From Qingming to Guyu, it's a season of rejuvenation for all things, and also the busiest time for picking spring tea. The tea trees, which have accumulated their essence throughout the winter, transform the breath of spring into wisps of fragrance, as if countless flowers are blooming across the mountains. The scenery on Nino Mountain, known as a "famous mountain" for tea in Changning, is becoming increasingly verdant. In the mist-like green rows of tea bushes, it's common to see tea farmers wearing straw hats and carrying bamboo baskets, their fingers moving swiftly as they carefully pick fresh spring tea shoots. "Most of the tea on Nino Mountain was planted around 1986, when Changning was named one of the first four major high-quality tea base counties in China. The varieties are all seedlings of the Mengku large-leaf tea, transplanted and grown as a population. Located at the boundary where cool mountain areas and subtropical climates meet, creating a unique climate suitable for tea cultivation, this has resulted in its…

Incorporated into Daily Life Singapore's Guangzhen Tea Shop has been in business for over 80 years, consistently trading in Liubao tea. Soon after opening, workers doing manual labor, such as construction, began purchasing Liubao tea from the shop. Gradually, the group of female workers, primarily Cantonese Chinese, became the main consumers of Guangzhen Tea Shop, according to its manager, Liu Xiufeng, who said, "In the past, much of our Liubao tea was sold to the 'Red Turbans.' Even now, their descendants remain our customers." Purchase contract for Liubao tea signed in 1973 between Guanghui Feng Tea Shop in Malaysia and the Guangxi Branch Company of the China National Native Products and Animal By-Products Import and Export Corporation in Wuzhou. Liubao tea samples sent from Hong Kong to Liang Ruisheng Tea and Cigarette Shop in Ipoh, Malaysia, in 1971. Entering the 20th century, the development of Southeast Asia entered a new phase, with rapid advancements in urban and port construction. Ports in cities like Singapore, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Jakarta developed at an increasingly faster pace, and many Chinese workers participated in these developments. The second wave of Chinese workers moving to Southeast Asia starting in the 1920s brought large numbers…

The weather is cold, and winter is a season where illnesses are more prevalent. Drinking tea can not only replenish fluids and reduce internal heat but also strengthen the body and promote health. Drinking more tea in winter can help eliminate fatigue, kill bacteria, relieve inflammation, and promote urination. White tea is also one of the most suitable types of tea to drink during this season. Why should you drink more white tea in winter? 1. White tea can prevent colds. The cold winter weather makes it easy to catch a cold if you're not careful, and white tea can help prevent colds. White tea has strong antibacterial properties, and using it to rinse your mouth can filter out viruses and prevent colds, as well as cavities and food poisoning. It can also lower blood sugar levels and high blood pressure. White tea is sweet and warm, containing abundant proteins and sugars that can enhance the body's resistance. Rinsing your mouth with white tea or drinking it directly can help prevent influenza. 2. White tea can warm the body and fight the cold. In the depths of winter, the body's yang energy weakens, and it requires more energy and nutrients.…

The main subject of Chinese tea culture is people, and tea exists as an object to serve humans—it is there for our enjoyment. Chinese tea culture is often referred to as a philosophy of beauty. It encompasses the Buddhist aesthetic of circular and ethereal beauty, the Taoist sense of profound and expansive beauty, as well as the Confucian elegance and subtlety. So, what tools should one prepare for brewing gongfu tea? 1. Tea Placement Tools ① Tea Scoop: A tool used to transfer tea from the tea canister into the teapot. ② Tea Spoon: Used to transfer tea leaves from the scoop into the teapot. ③ Tea Funnel: Placed over the teapot mouth to guide the tea in and prevent leaves from spilling outside. ④ Tea Presentation Dish: A multi-functional tool that not only serves the functions of the above three but also allows you to observe the shape of the tea, judge the quantity, and smell its dry aroma. ⑤ Tea Pestle: Used to break long tea leaves in the presentation dish to make them easier to put into the pot. ⑥ Tea Caddy: Small canisters for portioning out tea leaves. 2. Tea Management Tools ① Tea Tongs: Used…

    China's tea culture has a long history, and Pu'er tea is one of the most unique among all teas. It forms its own distinct category and has specific requirements for brewing techniques. So what is the method of brewing Pu'er tea? Let's explore this together. Brewing Pu'er Tea     1. New Sheng Tea     In terms of character, it is very similar to green tea. During brewing, it is essential to avoid a cooked taste, so the water temperature should be slightly lower, and the tea should be poured out quickly. The key is to grasp the characteristics of the raw materials, such as the type of tea tree, the tea region, the age of the tree, and the ecosystem. In principle, teas with strong flavors should use a slightly lower water temperature and have a shorter infusion time, while those with lighter flavors do the opposite.     2. New Shou (Ripe) Tea     Compared to older teas, new shou teas often have some shortcomings, such as less clear tea liquor, less pure aroma, and less mellow taste. They may also have some unpleasant characteristics like a "pile" flavor and a heavier bitterness and astringency. The water-soluble substances in new shou teas dissolve quickly,…

Aged tea refers to tea that has been processed from leaves harvested in the previous year or even earlier. Even if stored properly and well-preserved, it is collectively known as aged tea. New tea, by convention, refers to tea made from fresh leaves picked around the Qingming Festival in the same year. What is the difference between new tea and aged tea? 1. Different moisture content New tea generally has a lower moisture content, so the tea leaves are tightly rolled, feel dry to the touch, hard and brittle, and can be easily ground into powder with your fingers. Aged tea, due to long-term storage, has higher moisture content, making the tea wet and heavy. It cannot be crushed into powder with your fingers, and the tea stems are not easy to break. 2. Different colors New tea has a lustrous and vibrant color, clearly green, appearing in shades of light green or dark green. When brewed, the tea has a bright green color that gradually turns slightly yellow, with clear broth and glossy leaves. Aged tea loses its freshness in color and appears dull and less lustrous due to the oxidation of unsaturated components and the slow automatic decomposition…

The 22nd World Cup Football Championship will be held in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, welcoming the quadrennial football feast for fans, who will stay up late watching matches, posing a challenge to both their physical and mental stamina. In many fans' eyes, this World Cup is truly "the twilight of the gods": Messi is 35 years old, Ronaldo is 37, Pepe is 39... even Neymar, the youngest among them, says that this might be his last World Cup. During every World Cup, many fans prepare beer and late-night snacks to stay up and watch the games. However, it's well known that staying up late is detrimental to liver detoxification and overall health. Consuming alcohol and meat while staying up late can exacerbate these effects! If you want to indulge fully during the World Cup, drinking tea may be the best companion. Passionate World Cup, Healthy with a Teacup While tea drinking cannot completely offset the toll of staying up late, its invigorating and detoxifying effects are certainly beneficial while watching the games. Here are our tea recommendations for different phases: 9:00 PM Match - Raw Tea to Energize and Get into the Zone The 9 PM match…

Taking medications is best done with warm plain water, and it is not advisable to use tea. This is because tea contains multiple amino acids, vitamins, inorganic salts, tannic acid, volatile oils, as well as alkaloids like caffeine and theophylline. These substances can interact with certain drugs. For example, caffeine can excite the central nervous system and when taken with sedatives, can reduce their efficacy. Theophylline can affect the absorption of anti-parkinsonian drugs in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing their effectiveness. Why You Should Not Take Medications with Tea Theaflavins in tea can have an antagonistic and antidotal effect on anti-inflammatory drugs, potentially rendering them ineffective. This can lead to a significant reduction in the efficacy of antibiotics such as cephalosporins and penicillins. Many people find that after taking medication and drinking tea, the effectiveness of the medication is notably diminished. Tannic acid present in tea can react with the alkaloids in gastric juice, forming precipitates that are not easily absorbed by the body, greatly reducing the therapeutic effect of the drug. Theaflavins and caffeine in tea can damage the gastric mucosa, and acidic drugs can also irritate the gastric mucosa. Consuming both together can easily cause excessive secretion of…

Basic Introduction to Hengxian Jasmine TeaHengxian County produces over 70% of China's jasmine flowers and more than 50% of the world's total production, making it the largest jasmine flower base, tea processing base, and wholesale trading center in the country. Hengxian jasmine flowers are renowned worldwide, and the jasmine tea combines the flavor of tea leaves with the fragrance of fresh flowers, offering a delightful experience akin to savoring a work of art. Nutritional Value1. Calming and UpliftingThe volatile oils in jasmine flowers have the effect of relieving pain, lifting the mood, and dispersing stagnation, alleviating symptoms such as chest and abdominal distension and pain, as well as diarrhea. It is an excellent food therapy for pain relief.2. Antibacterial and Anti-inflammatoryJasmine flowers can inhibit various bacteria, both internally and externally, and can be used to treat eye inflammation, sores, and skin ulcers.3. EnergizingJasmine tea can help uplift the spirit, calm the mind, and relieve depression. Product Features(1) Large Buds: The weight of one hundred flower buds is about 23 grams in spring, 30 to 35 grams during the hot summer months, and about 26 grams in autumn.(2) Intense Fragrance: The depth of its aroma is high. History and FolkloreHengxian County…

Brewing tea is not only a pleasure but also an art. To brew the perfect cup of leaf tea, you need good quality tea leaves and the right brewing techniques. Today, we will discuss how to brew the best leaf tea at home so that every sip is filled with warmth and comfort. (Image source: Internet, delete if infringing) Selecting the Right Tea Leaves Before brewing, selecting the right tea leaves is crucial. There are many types of teas available on the market, including green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea, and Pu'er tea. Different types of tea have different characteristics and brewing methods. Green tea has a fresh fragrance, black tea is rich and full-bodied, oolong tea lies between these two in terms of flavor, white tea is more delicate, while Pu'er tea requires long-term aging. Preparing Necessary Utensils (Image source: Internet, delete if infringing) Brewing tea requires some basic utensils: teapot, teacup, tea strainer, thermometer, and timer. Different types of tea have different requirements for water temperature and brewing time, so these utensils help you better control the brewing process and ensure each cup of tea achieves its optimal taste. Mastering the Correct Water Temperature Water temperature…

After the Start of Autumn, we gradually enter the fall season. At the beginning of the transition from summer to autumn, "autumn dryness" becomes a seasonal discomfort that troubles people. This so-called autumn dryness refers to symptoms such as nasal and pharyngeal dryness, dry cough with little phlegm, and skin dryness. These symptoms can lead to depletion of body fluids and loss of yin and moisture, resulting in symptoms such as dry skin and dehydration, which can also harm the lungs, referred to in traditional Chinese medicine as "dryness pathogen." In light of these symptoms of "autumn dryness," how should tea enthusiasts drink tea for health preservation after the Start of Spring? Is it Good to Drink Pu'er Tea After the Start of Autumn? There are many benefits and effects of drinking Pu'er tea. Firstly, Pu'er tea has the effect of regulating the digestive system. After the Start of Autumn, due to changes in weather, it is easy to experience gastrointestinal discomfort, such as poor appetite and indigestion. Pu'er tea has the properties of eliminating dampness, aiding digestion, and reducing food stagnation, promoting the digestion and absorption of food and reducing the occurrence of gastric discomfort. Additionally, drinking Pu'er tea…

Storing Pu'er tea requires attention to sealing, avoiding light, preventing dampness and off-flavors, while also considering humidity and temperature. When storing, you can use a cardboard box; find a clean cardboard box, put the Pu'er tea inside, and store it in a tea room away from walls and the floor. For individual Pu'er tea cakes, you can use kraft paper bags or aluminum foil bags for storage, seal them well, and then place them in a ventilated area free of moisture. How to Store Pu'er Tea Cakes 1. Pu'er tea cakes are compressed from Pu'er tea leaves. Initially, they were made for convenience in transportation, so the shape and production method of Pu'er tea cakes determine their ability to be stored for a long time. For storing Pu'er tea cakes, you can choose clay jars, as they have good breathability and naturally provide ventilation. Clay jars do not need to be sealed; simply cover them with a layer of kraft paper to prevent dust. 2. When you first bring new Pu'er tea cakes home, avoid sealing them immediately for storage. Instead, let them air out in a dry place to get rid of any warehouse flavor. New Pu'er tea cakes…

In the height of summer, we've entered the dog days. The weather is both sultry and humid. When we take out some tea stored at home to tidy up, we often find that much of it has molded and can no longer be consumed – a great pity. Nowadays, more and more people enjoy tea, but many don't know the best methods for storing it. Some even keep their tea in basements, garages, or even in the refrigerator with food – all very incorrect practices. Tea leaves have strong hygroscopic and odor-absorbing properties, making them easily susceptible to absorbing moisture and odors from the air. This is especially true in the hot, humid weather of summer when they are more prone to microbial growth. How should you store tea at home? Most teas purchased by households come in cans or as loose tea. Since you won’t use it all at once, you’ll face the issue of storage. Here are some common household tea storage methods. Let’s learn them together. Sealed Bag and Foil Bag Storage Method Select bags with sealable closures designed for food, or professional sealable bags. Choose those made from thicker, higher-density materials and avoid using scented or…

Chaozhou Gongfu tea, the word "gongfu" being key, not only emphasizes the technique of brewing but also pays great attention to the craftsmanship of teaware. For the people of Chaozhou, drinking tea means using the four treasures of Gongfu tea: Zhuni teapot, Ruoshen cup, Hongni stove, and Shaqiao kettle, among which the Zhuni teapot is the jewel in the crown. Roundness is Not Uniform The Artistic Charm That Hits Just Right Chaozhou Zhuni teapots, commonly known as "chongguan," are made from Zhuni clay, which is soft and free of sand, making it highly malleable. The craft involves "hand-pulled forming," an ancient method using a potter's wheel. This process requires nearly 60 steps, including pulling, trimming, scraping, water application, glazing, and firing, all of which are intricate and meticulous. The shaping of Zhuni teapots relies on the ingenious rotation of the potter's wheel. In the course of inheriting teapot culture, potters infuse their creative ideas, unique designs, and exquisite skills into the teapots, endowing them with more cultural characteristics in terms of shape and decoration. They break free from the limitations of geometric roundness, displaying rich variations in curved forms that resemble fruits, bamboo sections, and wheels, creating a world of…

Pu'er tea has storage value mainly because it becomes more fragrant over time through natural transformation. For teas from the same mountain, the older the vintage, the higher the price. This has led to one of the chaotic phenomena in the tea market—age fraud. However, in reality, for a Pu'er tea that has been stored for many years, it is very difficult to determine the specific storage time by blind tasting; only an estimate can be made. This is because the moisture content of the dry tea at the time of production, the storage environment (dryness/humidity, temperature, light), etc., can cause varying degrees of transformation differences in the same cake of tea, with the differences becoming more pronounced over time. This is the change that time brings to the tea, and also the pleasure of storing tea. So, how do we determine the age of a tea cake? Criteria for Determining the Age of Pu'er Tea First, color: The clearer and more transparent the tea liquor, the older the vintage. Clear transparency refers not to the depth of the tea liquor but rather to a slightly oily luster. Second, taste: Considering the overall balance of taste, excluding storage issues, the…

The techniques for making Puer tea and tribute tea, as shining gems in the list of China's traditional tea-making intangible cultural heritage, not only carry profound historical tea culture but are also a vital force driving local economic and cultural development.The Yunnan province's Ning'er county, known for its intangible cultural heritage, has been dedicated to the inheritance, protection, and innovation of these techniques. Through systematic work and meticulous efforts, it actively promotes the diversity and exchange of tea culture, infusing new vitality into the sustainable development of the tea industry. It is currently the season of tea harvest, and in Ning'er's vast tea gardens, tea farmers move through the emerald green tea bushes, skillfully gathering the tender leaves filled with the essence of spring into their baskets. In the organic tea garden of Wulushan in Puyi Township, Ning'er County, the spring breeze blows gently, bringing vibrant life. Zhou Ming, the production workshop director of the tea factory, leads the tea farmers in their busy work. They strictly adhere to standards while picking spring tea, with each leaf carrying their respect for and commitment to traditional techniques. Under the harmonious cooperation between Zhou Ming and his technical partners, the tea-making processes…