Green Tea

Brewing Yunnan black tea involves a critical control of three factors: the amount of tea, water temperature, and brewing time. It is recommended to use warm water around 80 degrees Celsius for brewing. A quantity of 5 grams of tea is ideal, adjusted according to the brewing vessel, such as a lidded bowl. In fact, washing Yunnan black tea isn't necessary; this applies to all types of black tea. The quality of Yunnan black tea is relatively delicate, and its soluble substances are easily extracted, so there's no need to wash the tea before brewing. How to Brew Yunnan Black Tea 1. Warming the Cup. Rinse porcelain cups, teacups, and a pitcher with boiling water. 2. Adding the Tea. Gently scoop Yunnan black tea leaves into the cup using a tea spoon. Don't use too much tea, about 3-5 grams per serving, as too much can overpower the aroma and flavor. 3. Rinsing the Tea. Pour in water (around 85 degrees Celsius) and immediately pour it out without drinking it. 4. Brewing. Pour the cooled water (around 85 degrees Celsius) slowly along the side of the cup to swirl the leaves and fully immerse them, allowing the color, fragrance, and…...

Drinking green tea has cooling and soothing effects, helps to clear the mind and invigorate thoughts. It can also alleviate visual fatigue and replenish the body's water needs, which is beneficial for eliminating fatigue, relaxing the mood, and improving emotions. It can help with dry skin and mental exhaustion. Regular consumption of green tea can uplift one's mood, improve stress levels, and have diuretic effects. Benefits of Drinking Green Tea First, green tea can lower blood sugar, lipids, and blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Second, green tea contains abundant catechins and vitamin C, promoting cellular antioxidant capacity, scavenging free radicals, reducing wrinkles, whitening the skin, and delaying aging. Third, green tea contains caffeine, which mildly stimulates the central nervous system, helping to refresh the mind. Fourth, regular consumption of green tea promotes metabolism and reduces fat accumulation in the body, aiding in weight loss. Drawbacks of Drinking Green Tea For those with a weak digestive system, green tea, being a raw tea with a strong cold nature, may cause discomfort, abdominal pain, or even diarrhea in some individuals. Additionally, some people may experience sleeplessness after drinking green tea due to its caffeine content, which can stimulate the…...

Normally, when we drink tea, we do so at our leisure, not caring whether different types of tea require water of different temperatures or how much tea to put in. If you want a better tea drinking experience, these issues cannot be ignored. Different water temperatures and different amounts of tea can greatly affect the taste of the tea. 1. Water Temperature When boiling water for tea, use a strong fire to bring it to a rapid boil; do not use a slow fire to simmer the water. Water that has just boiled is ideal for brewing tea, producing a fragrant and tasty brew. If the water boils for too long, as the ancients called it, "old water." At this point, the carbon dioxide dissolved in the water has mostly evaporated, and the freshness and briskness of the tea are significantly reduced. In general, the water temperature used for brewing tea is positively related to the solubility of effective substances from the tea leaves in the water. The higher the water temperature, the greater the solubility and the stronger the tea soup; conversely, the lower the water temperature, the smaller the solubility and the lighter the tea soup. Generally, the…...

When Pu'er Shengcha is aged for ten years and stored properly, it undergoes rich changes in taste, becoming more mellow with reduced bitterness and astringency turning into sweetness and smoothness. Its aroma may also transform. What are the Characteristics of Pu'er Shengcha Aged for 10 Years? This depends on where you store your tea. For example, if stored in Kunming, its surrounding areas, or northern regions like Beijing and Northeast China, the aroma of Pu'er tea aged for ten years will be very good, with high concentration. The later transformation of Pu'er tea in these places is relatively slow, so the bitterness and astringency decrease slowly, but the tea's energy remains very strong. If stored in regions like Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Guangdong, or Fujian, which have higher humidity and temperature, Pu'er tea aged for ten years will have a smoother and richer broth, but the aroma will be much weaker. Different storage locations bring out different characteristics, and it's not necessarily true that one is better than the other. Personally, I believe that the nature of Pu'er tea is best preserved in drier places, what we call dry-storage Pu'er, which can better reflect the personality of Pu'er tea. However, opinions may…...

Recently, in response to the persistent high temperatures and drought conditions across multiple regions of the province, the Provincial Tea Industry Technology System and the Science and Technology Service Team for the "515" Action Plan in the tea industry have been working under high temperatures and visiting grassroots levels to conduct research and guidance. Considering the actual situation of tea production in our province, the following technical measures are proposed to cope with extreme high-temperature weather, for reference by tea-producing areas. I. Emergency Technical Measures for Tea Garden Management 1. Timely and Reasonable Irrigation For tea gardens with irrigation facilities, various methods such as spray irrigation, drip irrigation, and surface irrigation can be employed to water the plants, preferably during the morning or evening. Spray irrigation is particularly effective, as it not only alleviates water shortages caused by drought but also reduces near-surface temperatures in the garden, mitigating the impact of high temperatures. When using surface irrigation, care should be taken to avoid excessive water flow that could result in surface runoff, wasting water resources and causing soil compaction in the tea garden. 2. Scientific and Effective Shading Using shade nets to provide shading for tea gardens can immediately and…...

"Throughout history, poets have been tea connoisseurs, toasting their friends with a cup of clear tea." In China's thousands of years of history, the humble tea leaf has played an indispensable role. Among the seven refined pursuits of life—music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, and tea—one cannot do without tea! The tea mountains are filled with verdant green after a whole winter of rest and accumulation. It seems that the fragrance of tea wafts from the tenderest and most vibrant branches among the leaves, its subtle aroma enchanting and intoxicating. Spring breezes are delightful, but nothing compares to sipping a cup of spring tea, lost in its floral splendor. What is Pre-Ming Tea? "Pre-Ming Tea" and "Pre-Rain Tea" are terms used in the Jiangnan tea region along the Yangtze River to refer to different stages of spring tea based on seasonal divisions. Due to the climate in the Jiangnan area, some early-emerging tea varieties begin sprouting around the Awakening of Insects and Spring Equinox. Thus, tea harvested before the Qingming Festival is called "Pre-Ming Tea." The appeal of "Pre-Ming Tea" has always been due to its high quality and relative scarcity. Its excellence lies in the tenderness of its buds…...

The challenge in brewing Pu'er tea lies in its vast variety and ever-changing characteristics. Each time you brew Pu'er, the shape, age, and features seem different. This is the nature of Pu'er tea. To brew it well, you need to understand these factors: Newly Produced Sheng Pu'er (Raw) In terms of nature, newly produced Sheng Pu'er is similar to green tea. When brewing, avoid a cooked or over-steeped flavor by using slightly lower water temperature and a quick pour-off. The key is to grasp the characteristics of the raw materials, such as the tea tree variety, region, age of the trees, and the ecosystem. In principle, teas with strong flavors require slightly cooler water and shorter steeping times, while those with lighter flavors are the opposite. Newly Produced Shou Pu'er (Ripe) Compared to older teas, new Shou Pu'er often has some less desirable qualities, like a murky infusion, an impure aroma, and a less refined taste, along with off-flavors like the "pile" smell and strong bitterness. Since the water-soluble compounds in new Shou Pu'er dissolve quickly, you should aim to highlight its strengths and minimize its weaknesses by using high-temperature rinses to remove unwanted flavors, slightly cooler water for brewing,…...

Those who enjoy drinking aged Pu'er tea usually keep some at home. However, those lacking storage experience often find their tea has molded, deteriorated, or developed strange odors after a few years. So, how should we correctly store Pu'er tea? Storage Tips for Aged Pu'er Tea: 1. Avoid Contamination: The environment where you store Pu'er tea must be free from contamination. This is a common concern when storing any type of tea, and it applies to Pu'er tea as well. Because Pu'er tea contains terpenoids and high molecular weight palmitic acid, it can quickly absorb the odors of other substances, which can mask or alter the tea's original scent. Therefore, when storing Pu'er tea at home, take strict precautions against common odors such as cooking oil, cosmetics, and medicines. 2. Avoid High Temperatures: The storage temperature for raw Pu'er should not be too high or too low; a range of 20-40°C is most suitable. Higher temperatures can cause the tea to turn sour. In particular, during summer, high temperatures can accelerate the degradation of chlorophyll in Pu'er tea. Chlorophyll continuously transforms into demagnesium chlorophyll, changing the bright green color to a dark brown. High temperatures also exacerbate the autoxidation of…...

The long wind has blown through the forest for a thousand years, countless tea trees swaying within it, the tranquil tea fragrance already scattered across thousands of miles. This is Jingmai Mountain, a thousand-year-old ancient tea forest recognized by the whole world. The villages dotted in the forest, like a serendipitous glimpse of utopia. The gray rooftops in clusters, thatch old and tenacious in time. Huge dark green banana leaves poke out, teasing the cherry blossoms that only come in spring. Sunset on the flowers in her hair, embroidery lines on the black skirt connecting centuries of family blessings, large bamboo baskets filled with sweetness, small embroidered sachets holding our whispered secrets. When the mountain moon rises, lanterns light up the skyway, deep blue background mingling with many lights, welcoming every moonlight appearance, saying goodbye to every sunrise, the mountain people as sturdy as rocks live and breathe with Jingmai Mountain, life continues, brilliant like the mountain flowers. Seeing the bond between people and the land is so concrete and clear, from ancient times to modern days, never truly distant. Original article published in the Pu'er Magazine...

April is the time when spring tea hits the market. Many tea enthusiasts buy pre-Ming green teas such as Longjing and Biluochun. While these spring teas are delightful before the Ming festival, they do have their drawbacks. Some tea lovers ask why this Longjing that costs thousands of yuan per kilogram tastes so mild and doesn't hold up well through multiple infusions, unlike Tieguanyin or Dahongpao, which are more durable. Could it be that the quality of the tea isn’t good? Why do more expensive teas have a milder taste? Firstly, from the perspective of the raw materials used, more expensive teas are typically made from spring or early spring teas. These teas are picked early, with a high content of tender buds and relatively low levels of catechins, proteins, and amino acids. Catechins and proteins are the primary components responsible for the bitterness in tea, while amino acids contribute to a sweeter and fresher taste. Therefore, in pricier teas, the bitterness is lower, and the sweetness and freshness are stronger, resulting in a milder taste. The more expensive the tea, the richer its internal substances but slower their extraction rate, which explains why premium teas may not have much…...

Many tea enthusiasts have encountered an issue where, when brewing a particular serving of tea, the first few infusions already exhibit a heavy water taste, giving the impression of separate tea and water. Why does this happen during tea brewing? Here are some possible reasons: Hard Water Quality The hardness of water affects the solubility of compounds within the tea leaves. Soft water has a higher solubility, resulting in a stronger tea flavor. Hard water, which contains higher levels of calcium, magnesium ions, and minerals, has a lower solubility, leading to a milder tea taste. Therefore, we should choose soft water whenever possible and avoid using high-hardness water like well water for tea brewing. Insufficient Water Temperature The solubility of tea is directly proportional to the water temperature. If the water temperature for brewing is too low, the solubility of the compounds in the tea leaves will be reduced, resulting in a weaker tea taste and a more pronounced water taste. There's no need to overly worry about high temperatures destroying vitamins in the tea, as the vitamins in tea are relatively stable, and their loss at high temperatures is actually quite limited. Weather Conditions During Tea Processing Spring tea…...

The suitable water temperature for brewing aged Pu'er tea is 100°C. Aged Pu'er tea is made from large-leaf Yunnan sun-dried green tea, which undergoes fermentation, pile-fermentation, and pressing. Its rich internal components and pectin require boiling water (100°C) to facilitate the release of its internal substances and aromas. Brewing utensils such as a purple clay pot or a lidded bowl are recommended. Water Temperature for Brewing Aged Pu'er Tea Aged Pu'er tea is made from large-leaf Yunnan green tea that has undergone pile-fermentation. It contains abundant and full-bodied substances and is best brewed at 100°C to fully express its smooth, silky, sweet, fragrant, and mellow characteristics. However, the brewing time should not be too long to avoid bitterness. The principle is to infuse and pour out quickly. Secondly, it's important to preheat the brewing vessel before steeping the aged tea. Preheating ensures the vessel is warm, enhancing the aroma of the Pu'er tea during actual brewing and improving the lingering fragrance in the cup. Aged Pu'er can be brewed with 100°C water, adjusting based on specific teas and local boiling points. For example, teas made from finer leaves may be brewed at around 95°C, while aged teas require high-temperature brewing,…...