Green Tea

The development of ancient Chinese tea-making techniques can be roughly traced through the evolution from sun-dried and steamed loose leaf and powdered teas, to pressed cakes and bricks, then to steamed green teas and pan-fired greens, finally culminating in oolong and black teas. The technique for making oolong tea was likely first formed in the Wuyi Mountains during the late Ming Dynasty. Wuyi rock tea (Wuyi Rock Tea), a type of oolong tea (Oolong Tea), is now commonly referred to as "Da Hong Pao." According to records in literary notes, it was around the late Ming and early Qing dynasties that County Magistrate Yin Yingyin of Chongan invited monks from Mount Huang to teach the Songluo tea production method. Based on this, they created the "qingzuo" process, leading to the invention of a new variety of tea. For this reason, the Wuyi Mountains are considered the birthplace of oolong tea. Zhou Lianggong wrote in "Fujian Xiaojì: Fujian Tea Ode," "The county magistrate of Chongan invited monks from Mount Huang to make Jian tea using the Songluo method, which proved comparable. This year, I received several taels of it and have been very precious with it, often referred to as 'Wuyi…...

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 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 is more suitable to drink black tea at night. Black tea is fully fermented, which means the caffeine and polyphenols undergo oxidation and their content becomes relatively lower. Its nature is gentler, and drinking an appropriate amount of black tea at night can aid digestion and improve sleep. Green tea, on the other hand, is unfermented, tends to be cooler in nature, and has a stronger stimulating effect, making it less suitable for consumption at night. Furthermore, when drinking tea at night, it's important to do so in moderation; avoid drinking large quantities of strong tea. Night Tea: Black or Green? Black tea is more suitable for nighttime consumption. Black tea is made from fully fermented leaves, and as such, the caffeine and polyphenols are oxidized, leading to lower levels of these substances. This makes the tea more gentle, and drinking a moderate amount of black tea at night can help with digestion and improve sleep quality. Green tea, being unfermented, is cooler in nature and has a stronger stimulating effect, making it unsuitable for evening consumption. Additionally, when drinking tea at night, it is advisable to drink it lightly. Drinking lighter teas is healthier, meaning you should use…...

Abstract: The development journey of Puer tea is not only a history of the evolution of tea but also a testament to the inheritance of Chinese culture. It bears witness to the Chinese nation's pursuit of a better life and respect for the natural environment. At the same time, Puer tea has become an essential companion for healthy living due to its unique taste and nutritional value. This article analyzes its history and culture, varieties and classification, cultivation and processing, value and benefits, market and prospects, as well as tasting and selection, to explore the path to health through the millennia-old culture of Chinese Puer tea. Please note that this is one person's perspective; for issues regarding images, please contact us for removal (2024.04). I. Historical and Cultural Background of Puer Tea 1.1 Origin and Development of Puer Tea Puer tea, a treasure carrying a thousand years of culture, can trace its origins back to the Han Dynasty when the indigenous people of Yunnan began cultivating and consuming tea plants. However, it was during the Tang and Song dynasties that Puer tea truly gained fame worldwide. According to historical records, by the Tang Dynasty, Puer tea had become a precious…...

Tea culture in China has a long history, and the variety of tea brewing tools is vast. Porcelain, as an ancient and elegant tool for brewing tea, has always been favored by tea enthusiasts. But is porcelain really suitable for brewing tea? This article will take you through all aspects of brewing tea with porcelain. (Image source: internet, delete if infringement) Advantages of Brewing Tea with Porcelain Porcelain has been an excellent choice for brewing tea since ancient times, mainly due to the following advantages: 1. Preserves Tea Aroma: The delicate and smooth material of porcelain does not absorb the aroma of the tea, thus it can well preserve the original aroma of the tea leaves. This is particularly important for teas with rich aromas, such as Tieguanyin and Oolong tea. 2. Good Heat Conduction: Porcelain has moderate heat conduction properties, which allows it to evenly disperse heat, keeping the tea temperature stable. This prevents over-steeping or sudden drops in temperature that could affect the taste of the tea. 3. Aesthetically Pleasing: Porcelain is beautifully crafted with rich patterns and designs, offering high aesthetic value. Whether at home or in a teahouse, brewing tea with porcelain is a feast for…...

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…...

The main goal is to improve the soil condition, increase nutrient availability, and create favorable conditions for tea plant growth, with tasks including soil cultivation, weeding, fertilization, and moisture retention. I. Garden Cultivation Reasonable cultivation is an important measure to improve the soil condition in tea gardens, which can enhance the micro-ecological environment of the soil and provide good conditions for the growth and development of tea plants, improving their vigor. 1. Shallow Cultivation and Weeding The purpose of shallow cultivation in tea gardens is to remove weeds, loosen the surface soil, and improve the micro-ecological environment of the surface soil layer. The depth of shallow cultivation is generally around 5 cm, and it can be combined with top-dressing and soil mounding. It's also essential to clear weeds and brambles around the tea garden promptly. For young tea gardens that are not yet closed row, cultivation should be done whenever weeds appear, requiring six to seven weedings per year. Since the root system of young tea gardens does not penetrate deeply in the planting year, shallow cultivation before the high-temperature season should be done early to avoid drought immediately after cultivation. For mature tea gardens, cultivation is divided into spring,…...

After the Laba Festival, the New Year atmosphere gradually thickens. At this time, tea shops in the capital also enter their peak season. Long queues for purchasing tea reappear in front of many old-established tea houses. Why do ordinary people concentrate on buying tea at the end of the year? On the one hand, it is to keep it for entertaining distinguished relatives and friends who come to celebrate the New Year; on the other hand, it is to prepare it as a gift when visiting during the New Year. However, when giving tea as a gift, we not only need to consider quality but also packaging issues. For a long time, we have had a misunderstanding that plain-packaged tea is fine for personal consumption, but if it’s a gift, it seems a bit lacking. To cater to such consumer psychology, the tea packaging available on the market can be said to be dazzling and varied. Taking the material of tea caddies as an example, metal ones are common, and hardwood ones are not uncommon. Some, to highlight their grade, wrap real leather around the outside of the tea caddy, and some even inlay them with jade. Frankly speaking, the…...

       For the Chinese, drinking tea is not only a habit but also a science. Those who understand the knowledge of tea drinking can make themselves healthier and live longer through this method. The Yellow Emperor's Classic states: “During the first three months of spring, this is the time for the release of old energy. Heaven and earth come to life, and all things flourish.” Spring is when yang energy rises, brimming with vitality. However, as winter transitions into spring, the weather fluctuates between cold and warm, making it easy for qi fields to become disordered, and the human body becomes susceptible to illness. At this time, focusing on health preservation can effectively prevent diseases from occurring.        Spring health preservation should follow the principle of nourishing yang and preventing wind. In this season, the body’s yang energy follows nature’s course, rising and spreading outward, so it is important to protect the body’s yang energy and avoid any situation that might damage it. Drinking tea for health preservation is a good choice at this time.        When it comes to drinking Pu'er tea, it is appropriate to drink teas that are neutral in nature…...

Xu Yahé: The premise for 'aging to richer flavor' is to get the initial setup right for Pu'er tea The tea expert Xu Yahé once introduced a new concept of Pu'er tea storage called "Nurture, Guide, Influence, Control." Based on this concept, with his rich experience in making tea and participating in numerous Pu'er tea evaluations, he will explain how to achieve the initial setup for Pu'er tea's 'aging to richer flavor' before its production, following national standards. He hopes to provide readers with useful information and insights. Want 'aging to richer flavor'? First, check if it’s the right 'material' According to Xu Yahé, from the perspective of raw materials, the results for 'aging to richer flavor' differ for first-grade, second-grade, and third-grade teas. "I believe that the concept of 'aging to richer flavor' is targeted at specific teas, guiding and controlling their quality in a particular direction. Only good-quality teas are worth storing; otherwise, they should be consumed sooner." To Xu Yahé, Pu'er tea storage is like a school where only the best students with solid foundations can enter. What constitutes a good foundation? First, select the right material Which type of tea has the initial conditions to reach…...