Mao Feng

Why does the tea you brew always taste different from that of a tea artist? It turns out that every step, from boiling water, selecting utensils, preparing the tea leaves to brewing, can affect the infusion. Brewing tea is not only a technical skill but also requires meticulous attention. The details make or break the result. Whether the tea tastes good or not depends on whether you have paid attention to these details and methods. Boiling Water Boil water this way for better-tasting tea In his book, "The Classic of Tea," Lu Yu of the Tang Dynasty described three stages of boiling water: First Boil: When the water starts bubbling like fish eyes with a gentle sound; Second Boil: When bubbles rise like a spring of pearls; Third Boil: When the water surges and waves like a rushing tide. For modern people, boil water quickly over high heat instead of slowly over low heat. When the water continuously bubbles at the second or just into the third boil, its activity is best. If boiled too long, the oxygen content decreases, reducing its activity, which we often refer to as "over-boiled" water. This negatively impacts the infusion. If using tap water,…

This year, due to widespread cold snaps and wintry weather, some tea gardens in the Huangshan District experienced low-temperature frost damage. To ensure that spring tea production is not affected, recently, Professor Li Yecloud of Tea Science from Anhui Agricultural University and experts from the South Anhui Comprehensive Experimental Station visited tea gardens in the Huangshan District to provide on-site guidance for spring tea production. With less than a month until the start of spring tea harvesting, it's a critical period for spring tea management. In the high mountain tea garden in Longyuan Village, Longmen Township, Huangshan District, Professor Li Yecloud of Tea Science from Anhui Agricultural University and his team are discussing the situation of spring tea production with local tea farmers and offering targeted advice. "The pruning was too severe; generally, we suggest leaving a base." After on-site observation, Professor Li found that some tea plants had been over-pruned, and some leaves were showing red-yellow discoloration. Professor Li Yecloud, School of Tea and Food Science & Technology, Anhui Agricultural University: After checking along the way, I feel that the tea gardens in the Huangshan District, due to relatively high management standards earlier, suffered only minor frost damage. Only…

Drinking tea is beneficial for health, but what should you pay attention to when purchasing tea? What Should You Pay Attention to When Buying Tea? First, don't listen to the vendor's hype; don't listen to them talk about the effects of the tea. Tea is just tea; if it had significant effects, it wouldn't be food anymore, it would be medicine or a health supplement. Don't buy tea based on its effects. Moreover, even if it were a health supplement, how many health supplements actually have real effects? Just like vendors promoting Pu'er tea for weight loss, in reality, many women have been deceived time and again. Second, beginners or tea novices should not listen to vendors claim that the tea has collection value. And then buy a large amount of tea. While it's true that tea can be collected for personal consumption, during the process of collection, the tea is prone to mold. Many times, you will find that after several years, the vendor's vintage tea is still the same price. Collection can increase in value, but that's just a concept, applicable only to specific teas. The average person can neither obtain nor afford such teas. Third, when buying…

  Tea, is a healthy and suitable drink for all ages. To achieve the desired effects from drinking tea, it's best to adjust your consumption according to the changes in seasonal climate and the body's physiological metabolism. So what kind of tea is suitable for each season? What should you pay attention to when drinking tea throughout the year? Here’s a detailed introduction. Drinking tea can nourish health, this is widely acknowledged. According to traditional Chinese medicine, different varieties and origins of tea leaves have varying properties, such as being cool, warm, sweet, or bitter, which affects their health benefits on the human body differently. In order to achieve better health benefits, it is advisable to choose different types of tea in spring, summer, autumn, and winter based on their properties. This will be beneficial to one’s health. Drink Floral Teas in Spring In spring, nature comes back to life, and all living things rejuvenate. Just like nature, the human body also goes through a period of revitalization. During this time, it is ideal to drink floral teas such as jasmine or osmanthus. These teas are slightly warm in nature, and drinking them in spring helps to dispel the coldness…

Many people often confuse Mao Feng and Mao Jian, often equating the two, thinking that these two types of tea are the same, just with different names. Such an understanding is completely incorrect. The differences between Mao Feng and Mao Jian are quite distinct; it's just that people don't usually take the time to carefully compare them. Mao Feng and Mao Jian are fundamentally not the same type of tea. Why are these two types of tea frequently mistaken for one another? Today, I will clear up any confusion and explain the differences between the two. The following comparison will be made using Huangshan Mao Feng and Xinyang Mao Jian, the most representative teas of their kinds. I. Different Origins 1. Huangshan Mao Feng is produced in the Huangshan (Huizhou) area of Anhui Province, so it is also known as Huizhou tea. It has been produced since the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, with a long history and exquisite craftsmanship, making it one of China's Top Ten Famous Teas. The unique geographical conditions of Huangshan are very suitable for the growth of tea trees, with high mountains, dense forests, fertile soil, and perpetual mists, leading to the saying, "When…

Xinyang Maojian, also known as Yu Mao Feng, belongs to the category of green teas and is one of China’s Top Ten Famous Teas, as well as a renowned specialty of Henan Province. Its main production areas are in the Shilhe District (formerly Xinyang City), Pingqiao District (formerly Xinyang County), and Luoshan County in Xinyang City. The tea is celebrated for its unique style characterized by its “fineness, roundness, glossiness, straightness, abundant white tips, high fragrance, rich taste, and green infusion color.” Xinyang Maojian is a premium tea, with its high status stemming not only from its advantageous growing conditions and exquisite processing techniques but also from its scarcity and preciousness. With limited annual production, it becomes a sought-after item among tea collectors and enthusiasts. More than just a tea, Xinyang Maojian carries the treasure of traditional Chinese tea culture, offering a taste of its exceptional quality and the allure of tea culture. The spring harvest of Xinyang Maojian typically begins around late March to early April. This period marks the primary harvesting season for Xinyang Maojian spring tea, when the tea quality is at its best. Tea farmers usually choose to pick on days with clear weather and suitable…

Tea, as an integral part of Chinese traditional culture, is not just a beverage but also a representation of a way of life. From green tea to black tea and Pu'er tea, each type has its unique flavor and brewing method. In this article, we will delve into the varieties of tea, methods of brewing, and how to select appropriate tea ware. (Image source: network, delete upon request) Green Tea: The Representative of Freshness and Elegance Green tea is an unfermented tea known for its fresh taste and rich nutritional value. Common types include Longjing, Biluochun, and Mao Feng. Brewing Method: The brewing of green tea requires attention to water temperature and time. Generally, use water around 80°C, with a brewing time of 1-2 minutes. Higher temperatures or longer times can destroy the fragrance and taste of the green tea. Tea Ware Selection: Glass cups or porcelain cups are suitable, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of the leaves unfolding in the water. Black Tea: Rich and Smooth Flavor Black tea is a fully fermented tea renowned for its strong aroma and sweet taste. Notable black teas include Keemun, Darjeeling, and Ceylon. Brewing Method: Black tea requires hot water at…

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…

Xinyang Maojian, also known as Yu Mao Feng, belongs to the green tea category. It is one of China's top ten famous teas and a renowned specialty of Henan Province. Created by Han Chinese tea farmers in the early years of the Republic of China, it is mainly produced in Xinyang City, Xin County, Shangcheng County, and other areas around Dabie Mountain. Xinyang Maojian has unique characteristics in terms of color, aroma, taste, and appearance. Its color is fresh and lustrous without impurities; its aroma is elegant and fresh; its taste is fresh, mellow, and has a sweet aftertaste; and, from an appearance standpoint, it is uniform, bright green with a luster, and has prominent white down. The shape is fine, round, smooth, straight, with many white hairs; the color is emerald green; when brewed, it has a long-lasting high aroma, a rich and mellow taste, a sweet aftertaste that produces saliva, and a clear, bright soup color. High-quality Xinyang Maojian has a tender green, yellowish green, or bright soup color, with a fragrant aroma. In contrast, low-quality Xinyang Maojian has a dark green or yellowish, murky soup color, is not durable when brewed, and lacks tea fragrance. To distinguish…

You may have heard of cold-brew coffee, but have you ever heard of cold-brew tea? Yes, that thing exists! Cold-brew tea has actually been around for a while, but its popularity is not as high as its hot-brew counterparts. In this article, you will find out more about the history of cold-brew tea, the innovative ways of cold-brewing teas, the caffeine level of cold-brew tea, the differences between cold-brew tea and iced tea and hot-brew tea, and of course, the health benefits of cold-brew tea! Interested? Read more to find out! Traditional way of Cold-brew Cold-brew tea is not a new innovation. The Japanese have long believed that hot-brewing tea destroys the tea’s natural benefits as it burns the tea, which gave rise to the traditional way of cold-brewing teas: steeping tea in cold water for hours. However, this process may take a long time to finish – from 6 to 24 hours. Our way of Cold-brew In this fast-moving world, it is always convenient to have the instant option for our everyday necessities – and that includes cold-brew teas! If you are looking for the natural benefits and low caffeine level of cold-brew tea but steeping your tea for…