Black Tea
ChinaTeaGuru provides an in-depth introduction to the diversity of Chinese black tea, from history to brewing techniques, experiencing the unique flavor and health benefits of dark tea
Total 315 articles
Special Topic:Black Tea
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Four Methods for Storing Tea
How to store tea? Many people are troubled by this question. Loving tea, they purchase countless quantities of it, originally intending to savor it slowly, only to often find the tea has gone bad due to improper storage, leading to significant waste. So, how exactly should tea be stored? Four methods for storing tea 1. Refrigerator Storage Storing tea in the refrigerator is common and simple, but it has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look: Teas that are typically stored in the refrigerator include green tea, black tea, and processed white teas (like Anji White Tea and Tianmu Lake White Tea, not Fuding White Tea). Why can these types of tea be stored in the fridge? This is because we tend to consume green and black teas quickly, and they are usually packaged in small quantities—ranging from 200 grams to as little as 50 grams. Since the storage volume is small and can be consumed within a month, storing them in the refrigerator for preservation is not an issue. However, white tea and Pu'er tea are not…... -
White Tea from Zhenghe: “White Peony”
"White Peony tea," a precious variety, is produced in Zhenghe, known as the "Hometown of Chinese White Tea." White Peony tea is picked at the stage of one bud and two leaves, requiring that the buds and leaves are covered with white down, referred to as "three whites." The shape of the tea is two leaves embracing a bud, with a natural leaf posture and white down covering the back of the leaves. After brewing, the liquor turns apricot yellow or orange-yellow, clear and bright, with a fresh and lasting downy fragrance. The veins are slightly red, scattered among the green leaves, earning it the praise of "red dress on a white body." The preparation method for drinking White Peony tea is similar to that of green tea but, due to the lack of kneading, the tea juice does not easily seep out, so the brewing time is slightly longer than for green tea. "White like clouds, green like dreams, clean like snow, fragrant like orchids," this tea, which is cold and cool in nature, has the effects of heat-clearing and summer-heat dispelling, making it an excellent drink for refreshing the heart and purifying the spirit in summer. It is…... -
A Comprehensive Guide to Tea Drinking! Choose the Right Tea for Your Constitution
Tea, by nature, is cold and can help clear the mind and soothe the spirit. Different people have different constitutions, which means they should drink different types of tea. Therefore, choosing the right tea and drinking it well starts with understanding the nature of the tea and the suitable groups of people for each type. Nature of Teas 01 Green Tea: The core process is "fixation," making its nature cold. People with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, or abundant energy can benefit from drinking green tea, as it has great effects in clearing heat, refreshing the mind, and boosting alertness. Green tea also has excellent radiation protection benefits, making it ideal for those who work on computers. White Tea: The core process involves "withering and sun drying" followed by natural storage, which transforms the tea's nature from cold to cool and then to mild. Fresh white teas share many properties with green tea, but the most significant difference is that while aged green tea becomes like grass, aged white tea becomes even more precious. As it ages, old white tea becomes even milder, making it suitable for a wider range of people. Oolong Tea (Blue Tea): The core process…... -
What type of Purple Clay Teapot is suitable for brewing Black Tea?
If conditions permit, consider the following types of purple clay teapots: Clay: Purple clay, red clay, slope mud, etc. Pot shape: Large belly (considering that Yunnan black tea leaves are relatively large) Capacity: Over 200 milliliters Black tea is a fully fermented tea made from new shoots of appropriate tea trees, processed through withering, rolling (cutting), fermentation, and drying. Drinking it regularly not only aids digestion but also nourishes and protects the stomach, making it very suitable for winter consumption. Some people are casual about their tea drinking and will brew black tea in any cup, while others are more particular and use a purple clay teapot to enhance the lingering aroma of the black tea. Not all purple clay teapots are suitable for brewing black tea. Firstly, black tea is named for the red color of its tea soup and leaf base when brewed. Due to the dark color of the tea soup, clays such as purple clay, bottom groove green, clear purple clay, and sky blue clay are suitable. You can choose darker colored clays. If using original green or duan mud, be sure to clean them promptly to avoid unsightly tea stains. The color of the purple…... -
Wuyi Black Tea
Basic Introduction to Wuyi Black TeaWuyi Black Tea is a specialty of Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, and is a product marked by China's national geographical indication. Wuyi Black Tea is a fully fermented tea that has a unique flavor, floral and fruity scents, or the aroma of dried longan. Throughout the year, Tongmu Pass in Wuyi is shrouded in mist and clouds, with abundant rainfall and a warm climate. During spring tea season, it often rains continuously, with very little sunshine, so most of the fresh leaves picked from this area need to be withered using artificial heating. Additionally, there are many pine trees in the area, and pine wood is used for fuel, so the fresh leaves absorb the scent of pine resin while withering. During the drying process, the fermented tea leaves are spread on bamboo trays and placed on racks to air-dry or bake, with pine wood still being used below for baking, allowing the tea leaves to absorb even more of the pine resin scent. The finished Zhengshan Xiaozhong tea has the characteristic appearance of thick, tightly bound, straight strands with a lustrous black color. The tea soup is reddish-brown and has a rich, mellow taste…... -
“Tracing the Ancient Tea Ship Route: A Saga of Prosperity and Decline over Centuries (Part I)”
Along with the rise and fall of Liubao tea industry, the ancient tea ship route has gone through phases of formation, prosperity, dormancy, revival, and decline, leaving a splendid chapter in China's tea transportation history. The ancient route is vast and time has passed slowly. The development of the Liubao tea industry has undergone changes over several hundred years, and the tea ship route has also gone through a long journey from its formation to prosperity, dormancy, revival, and decline. Today, the Liubao tea industry is experiencing a comprehensive revival, but the ancient tea ship route mostly remains as traces of the past. However, there is no doubt that in the course of history, this ancient route, which coexisted with Liubao tea, has written a unique and splendid chapter in China's tea transportation history. The name "Tea Pavilion" can be seen on a map of Cangwu from the 32nd year of the Kangxi era (1693) of the Qing dynasty. 1. The "Annals of Cangwu County" compiled during the Tongzhi era of the Qing dynasty contains records about Liubao tea. 2. On the attached map of Cangwu County in the "Annals of Cangwu County" compiled during the Tongzhi era of the…... -
Who Should Not Drink Xiao Qinggan Pu’er Tea
Xiao Qinggan Pu'er tea is a type of Pu'er tea with a rich fruity aroma. It's an excellent health and wellness beverage, suitable for most people to drink. However, drinking tea has its pros and cons, and some special groups should avoid it. Who Should Not Drink Xiao Qinggan Pu'er Tea 1. People with active gastric issues: Pu'er tea contains a significant amount of caffeine. For those with excessive stomach acid or ulcers, drinking tea during a gastric episode can dilute stomach fluids, making digestion difficult and potentially causing acid reflux or exacerbating the ulcer condition. Therefore, no matter how strong the desire for tea, one must resist drinking it at this time. Even if you have mild gastrointestinal problems, weak or cold stomach conditions, you should avoid drinking tea on an empty stomach in the morning as it may affect your digestive functions, hinder the absorption of vitamin B2 and iron, and cause stomach pain. It also increases the burden on the kidneys. It's better to eat a small snack before drinking tea. 2. People with gout: Gout is a debilitating condition that causes severe foot pain, preventing sleep, and is incomprehensible to others. Those with gout should avoid…... -
The Benefits and Effects of Black Tea, Suitable Groups for Drinking Black Tea
Black tea is a fully fermented tea. Traditionally, it was the only type of tea known in the West. Westerners tend to prefer black tea. Major production areas of black tea include China, Sri Lanka, India, Kenya, and others. Black tea goes through the processes of picking, withering, rolling, fermentation, and drying – an additional step of fermentation compared to green tea. Fermentation refers to the oxidation of the tea leaves in the air. This process reduces the levels of catechins and tannins in the tea leaves, producing new components such as theaflavins and thearubigins, as well as aromatic substances like alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and esters. Therefore, black tea leaves appear black, or a mix of black and the orange-yellow of young buds; the tea liquor is deep red in color; it has a pleasant aroma; and due to the reduced bitterness and astringency, the taste is sweeter and more mellow. The Benefits and Effects of Black Tea 1. Diuretic Effect of Black Tea In black tea, caffeine and aromatic compounds work together to increase blood flow to the kidneys, enhance glomerular filtration rate, dilate renal microvessels, and inhibit water reabsorption by the renal tubules, thus promoting increased urine output.…... -
Tanyang Gongfu
Introduction to Tanyang GongfuTanyang Gongfu originates from Tanyang Village at the foot of White Cloud Mountain in Fu'an. According to legend, during the reigns of Emperor Xianfeng and Tongzhi (1851-1874 AD), a villager named Hu Fusi (also known as Hu Jin Si) successfully produced black tea and exported it to Western Europe via Guangzhou, where it was very well received. Subsequently, many tea merchants flocked to the area to buy and sell the tea, and set up trading posts. Later, due to changes in tea production, the focus shifted from black to green teas, leaving only a few producers of Tanyang Gongfu. In recent years, through the efforts of relevant departments, Tanyang Gongfu has been restored and developed. Nutritional Value1. Refreshing and Fatigue Relieving: The caffeine in black tea stimulates the cerebral cortex and central nervous system, enhancing alertness, concentration, and memory. It also accelerates the excretion of lactic acid (the substance that causes muscle fatigue) and other waste products, effectively relieving fatigue.2. Moisturizing and Heat Clearing: Drinking black tea in summer can quench thirst and relieve heat because the polyphenols, sugars, amino acids, pectin, and other components in tea react chemically with saliva, stimulating its secretion, making the mouth…... -
Exploring the Charm of Jin Jun Mei Tea: The Art of Brewing and Tasting
Jin Jun Mei, a name that shines like a brilliant pearl in the tea world, has captivated countless tea enthusiasts with its unique qualities and flavors. To truly appreciate the extraordinary allure of Jin Jun Mei, the correct brewing and tasting methods are essential. Today, we will delve into how to brew and taste this gem among teas, guiding you through each step and savoring every nuance. I. The Unique Charm of Jin Jun Mei Jin Jun Mei, as a representative of high-end black teas, is highly regarded for its golden, translucent infusion, distinctive aroma, and rich flavor. Its leaves are selected from premium tea trees in Xingcun, Wuyi Mountain, meticulously picked and processed to present a tight, golden appearance. Once brewed, the tea emits an enchanting floral and fruity fragrance with a robust yet sweet aftertaste, leaving a lasting impression. II. Careful Preparation Before Brewing Before brewing Jin Jun Mei, it's important to prepare adequately to ensure the perfect presentation of the tea's unique flavors. Firstly, selecting high-quality Jin Jun Mei leaves is crucial. When choosing, focus on the appearance, aroma, and taste. High-quality Jin Jun Mei leaves have a tight, sturdy shape, a golden luster, and emit a…...- Kung Fu Tea
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What is the shelf life of tea?
As we all know, tea is a kind of food and therefore has a certain shelf life. However, the length of the shelf life is related to its manufacturing process. There are different types of tea: black tea, green tea, red tea, white tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea. Below is an introduction to the shelf life of tea. What is the shelf life of tea? Generally, fresh tea is better. For example, the shelf life of green tea is usually around one year when stored at room temperature. Of course, it mainly depends on how well you store it. If stored properly, the shelf life can be quite long. 1. Black Tea Black tea is known for getting better with age. The longest shelf life among teas is typically for black tea. Brick tea is best stored for 10 to 15 years, qianliang tea for 10 to 15 years, and loose leaf tea for 5 to 10 years, as these periods offer the highest economic and drinking value. High-quality teas made from premium ingredients are enjoyable after being stored for 1 to 2 years. Puer tea is divided into raw and ripe varieties. Generally, the shelf life of raw…... -
Tieguanyin: What Type of Tea Is It? A Comprehensive Guide
What is Tieguanyin? Tieguanyin is a semi-fermented tea that belongs to the oolong category, widely popular for its unique aroma and flavor. Originating from Anxi County in Fujian Province, China, it is one of the top ten famous teas in China. The leaves of Tieguanyin are thick and robust, retaining their rich fragrance even after multiple infusions, earning the reputation of having "lingering fragrance after seven infusions." The History and Legends of Tieguanyin There are two main legends about the origin of Tieguanyin. One involves Wang Shishi, who is said to have discovered a special tea plant during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. After cultivating and processing it, he presented it to Emperor Qianlong, who bestowed upon it the name "Tieguanyin." Another legend revolves around Wei Yin, who found and cultivated this exceptional tea plant following a dream in which he was guided by the Bodhisattva Guanyin, naming it after her. The Production Process of Tieguanyin The production process of Tieguanyin is intricate, involving over a dozen steps such as cooling, sun-drying, shaking, stir-frying, rolling, initial roasting, re-roasting, and slow baking over a low flame. Each step must be executed with precision to ensure high-quality tea. During production,…...- Kung Fu Tea
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