Rinse

Summer is a good time to expel the cold and dampness from your body. As temperatures rise, so does the humidity in the air. For those with high levels of dampness, this can be even more harmful. Do you know how to get rid of dampness? Here are some recommended teas for summer to help. Tea is not medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea is not medicine, different people with different constitutions should make different choices. For those with high levels of dampness, there should also be different considerations when choosing tea... What are the harms of having high levels of dampness? 1. When dampness meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it causes obesity; 2. If dampness remains in the body and isn't eliminated, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces. The tongue may appear yellowish and greasy; 3. Those with high levels of dampness feel lethargic throughout the day, affecting digestive functions. They may feel heavy-headed, with limbs and waist feeling weighed down by something, making them reluctant to move; 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…

Many people have the habit of drinking tea, and there are various types of tea, with Pu'er tea being one of them. Brewing Pu'er tea can be quite enjoyable and help you relax both mentally and physically. Drinking it in moderation can also have beneficial effects on your health. Below is a guide on how to brew Pu'er tea. The Brewing Method for Pu'er Tea Cake: 1. Breaking the Tea Cake Prepare a tea needle or a tea knife and insert it along the side edge of the tea cake, then apply upward force to break off pieces. To avoid damaging the integrity of the tea leaves and prevent the tea cake from becoming too fragmented, try to push the tool further into the cake. Typically, you should break off as much as you need for brewing; a general guideline is 5 grams for aged tea and 8 grams for raw tea. 2. Waking the Tea Use a 110 ml white porcelain gaiwan for brewing. Discard the first infusion, which serves as a rinse and helps to wake up the tea. For older aged teas, use water at boiling point (100°C) for direct brewing, while for newer raw teas, you…

Summer is a good season to expel cold dampness from the body. As temperatures rise, the humidity in the air also increases. This can be more harmful for people with high levels of dampness. Do you know how to eliminate dampness? Here are some recommended teas for removing dampness during summer.Tea isn't medicine, but it's a great health drink. Although tea isn't medicine, different body types should choose different types of tea. For those with high levels of dampness, the choice of tea should also vary... What Are the Dangers of High Levels of Dampness? 1. When dampness in the body meets cold, it becomes cold-dampness; when it meets heat, it becomes damp-heat; and when it meets wind, it becomes wind-dampness. Under the skin, it leads to obesity. 2. If dampness remains in the body, one may experience loose stools and unformed feces regularly. The tongue will appear yellow with a greasy coating. 3. People with high levels of dampness feel lethargic all day, which affects their digestive function. They feel heavy in their head, limbs, and waist, as if something is wrapping around their body, making them lazy to move. 4. Those with high levels of dampness tend to…

Maojian tea is one of the famous green teas in China, with the main varieties including:Taihu Maojian: Produced around Tai Lake in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, it is one of the representative varieties of Maojian tea. Its leaves are slender and emerald green, with a fresh aroma and a refreshing taste. Anji Bai Maojian: Grown in Anji County, Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, this is a type of white-hairy Maojian tea. The leaves are slender and light green, with an elegant, fresh fragrance and a sweet, refreshing taste. Yan Tea Maojian: Cultivated in Wuyi City, Fujian Province, this is a type of rock tea. The leaves are flat and dark green, with a unique aroma that includes notes of charcoal and fruit, and a rich flavor. A common method for brewing Maojian tea is as follows: Prepare the tea utensils: It's recommended to use a glass cup or a transparent covered bowl when brewing Maojian tea, so you can observe the unfolding of the leaves and the change in color of the infusion. You will also need the tea leaves, a strainer, and hot water. Water temperature and water quality: The brewing water temperature for Maojian tea is generally between 70°C and 80°C.…

Tea, the national drink, is a natural beverage that has been passed down through thousands of years of Chinese history. Since ancient times, there has been the saying "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and tea," and to this day, tea remains an essential part of our daily lives as Chinese people. The correct method of storing tea leaves is crucial for maintaining their freshness, aroma, and quality. How should we store tea in our daily lives? This article will provide you with detailed answers. 01. Choose the Right Container Select a container that is well-sealed and opaque to store tea leaves. Clean the inside of the container with saltwater or warm water mixed with a small amount of white vinegar to remove any residual odors and impurities. Rinse it thoroughly with clean water and allow it to dry completely. 02. Avoid Mixing Different Types Different types of tea should be stored separately to prevent them from affecting each other. For example, the storage conditions and requirements for green tea and black tea differ, and mixing them can lead to a decline in quality. 03. Control Temperature and Humidity The storage environment for tea should maintain appropriate temperature and…

Many people believe that during the processing, transportation, and storage of tea leaves, they come into contact with a lot of dust, tea fuzz, and impurities. Rinsing the tea can clean these off, making the tea healthier and more hygienic to drink. Is this true? Scientific tests show that most bacteria and microorganisms are killed at water temperatures above 80 degrees Celsius. Typically, the water temperature used for brewing tea is not lower than 80 degrees. Generally speaking, green teas do not need to be rinsed, especially tender shoots picked before the Ming Festival, which can be directly brewed using mid-dunk or top-dunk methods. For black teas and oolong teas, you may rinse them once with hot water, but it's also fine to skip this step. Personally, I usually choose not to rinse the tea. Teas that are generally recommended for rinsing are compressed teas, particularly aged compressed teas. The rinsing process not only gives the impression of washing away impurities (which doesn't really happen) but also serves as a way to awaken the tea (the key effect of rinsing compressed teas). If you do rinse the tea, how should you do it? Green teas typically do not require rinsing.…

Brewing ripened Pu'er tea involves three main steps: 1) Prepare a Yixing clay pot or a gaiwan; 2) Determine the tea-to-water ratio, using 7g of tea for every 100ml of water when brewing with a gaiwan, and 10g of tea for every 180ml of water when brewing with a Yixing pot; 3) Rinse the tea for about 10 seconds before brewing, then infuse with boiling water, with the first to fifth infusions steeping for 5-7 seconds, and subsequent infusions steeping for 7-10 seconds. 1. Teaware You can use a Yixing clay pot or a gaiwan to brew ripened Pu'er tea. The internal pores of a Yixing pot provide good breathability, which helps to enhance the aroma and aged flavor of the tea. A gaiwan, on the other hand, does not absorb flavors, allowing you to experience the true taste of the ripened Pu'er and appreciate its beautiful color. 2. Tea Quantity If using a gaiwan, a general guideline is a tea-to-water ratio of 7g of tea for every 100ml of water. For brewing with a Yixing pot (180ml capacity), around 10g of tea is suitable. Adjust the amount of tea based on your preference for stronger or milder flavor. 3.…

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…

A few days ago, a tea enthusiast asked me: how to select a purple clay pot for brewing Pu'er? I will share some common knowledge regarding this topic today. Pot Capacity On this issue, everyone's opinion is relatively consistent. The capacity of the purple clay pot used for brewing Pu'er tea is generally larger than that used for brewing Oolong tea. This is because the leaves of Yunnan large-leaf tea are relatively large. A larger pot allows the leaves to fully expand and release their intrinsic substances. On the other hand, small pots are preferred for Oolong tea to extract its aroma, so the pot cannot be large. A pot of about 180 milliliters (ml) to 200 ml is generally suitable for brewing Pu'er. Of course, a larger pot can also be chosen depending on the number of people drinking. ▲ Qin Quan Pot, No. 4 Well Composite Ore, 300 cc 02 Pot Shape Selection A pot with a large neck and full ear bucket is suitable for brewing Pu'er tea. The water outlet must be good, with a straight spout, and a sword spout is best. The lid opening should not be too small, as a small opening is…

A fine pot with fine tea, drinking tea and caring for the pot is truly a leisurely pursuit in life. A pot, if well maintained, will be increasingly enjoyable to use, but if improperly handled during use, it can lose its essence as a purple clay pot, which would be a great pity. When caring for your pot daily, you should avoid some bad habits. Bad Habit #1 Ice and Fire Not Warming the Pot in Winter In winter, when there are large temperature differences, if the room temperature is low, the pot's body temperature will also be low. If you directly pour hot water over it, there is a possibility of cracking. The correct approach is: before brewing tea, preheat the pot with warm water. Even if it’s not winter, after washing the pot with cold water, do not immediately brew tea or fill it with hot water; instead, place it in a warm room temperature environment to let the pot warm up on its own, then preheat it before brewing tea. Bad Habit #2 Leaving Tea in the Pot Proudly Cultivating Tea Mountain For a long time, accumulated tea residue in the teapot and cups was referred to…

The use, maintenance, and cleaning of purple clay pots come with specific knowledge and methods. These practical tips are the summation of life experiences. Understanding this knowledge and mastering the correct methods can greatly enrich and improve tea and pot arts.Drinking tea in winter is a very healthy practice. Brewing tea with a purple clay pot not only brings out its rich aroma without any cooked taste but also offers an advantage over other teapots due to its excellent heat retention, especially in cold weather. Preparing the Tea This refers to brewing tea. Different teas require different water temperatures for steeping. Tip: Remember to warm up the purple clay pot before brewing tea in winter, especially Zhu Ni pots, to prevent cracking. Purple clay pots come in various heights. Tall pots are suitable for black tea, while short pots are better for green tea. Tall pots have a higher body and a more closed lid, making them ideal for black tea. Since black tea undergoes fermentation during processing, steeping it in a tall pot allows for deep brewing, fully developing the tea's flavor, aroma, and color, resulting in a richer and more fragrant infusion. Shorter pots have a shorter body…

The process of nurturing a teapot starts from the very first use. To achieve a lustrous and smooth effect, besides having a good quality teapot, the correct care and maintenance methods are also crucial. Remember the following three points in your daily tea brewing routine: 1. Before Brewing Tea Preheat the teapot inside and out with warm water to remove any musty odor and bacteria (be mindful of temperature differences, use lukewarm water rather than boiling). 2. During Brewing During each brewing interval, wipe the teapot clean with a damp cloth (one that is absorbent) and then polish it with a dry cloth (soft). Consistency will bring out the teapot's warmth and luster. 3. After Brewing After using the Yixing teapot for brewing tea, clear out the leaves and tea water, then rinse the teapot inside and out with hot water. Do not use chemical cleaning agents; they can alter the aroma retained by the teapot and affect its sheen. In addition to the daily routine, follow these principles when nurturing your teapot: 01 To develop an outer patina on a Yixing teapot, frequently brew tea and rinse the exterior. After each brewing session, make sure to wipe the outside…

The topic of how to properly prepare a new purple clay teapot for use has been discussed extensively. However, many newcomers to the world of purple clay teapots still fall into common traps. Here are some incorrect methods that you should avoid: Mistake One: Tofu Preparation Method "Boiling tofu can remove the 'fiery' quality of a new purple clay teapot, absorb earthy odors and kiln dust, and break down any residual substances in the teapot." ▲ Preparing a teapot with tofu Firstly, there is no such thing as a teapot having a 'fiery' quality. This term is used in traditional Chinese medicine to describe human conditions. Secondly, the claim about absorbing odors is baseless. If this were true, we would place tofu instead of tea leaves or charcoal sachets in new homes and cars. Furthermore, after being fired at over 1,000 degrees Celsius, it's unclear what residual substances could be broken down by boiling tofu. Mistake Two: Sugarcane Preparation Method "Sugarcane, with its natural sweetness and fragrance, can imbue the teapot with an unprecedented level of nourishment, laying a solid foundation for future brewing." ▲ Preparing a teapot with sugarcane The idea behind using sugarcane (or apples) for preparation is…

Black tea and green tea are like two sides of the same coin. Green tea is unfermented, while black tea is fully fermented; green tea has a cool nature, whereas black tea is warm; green tea brews a clear, greenish infusion, while black tea produces a bright, reddish one. Speaking of preferences, Chinese people are naturally most accustomed to green tea, but this does not prevent black tea from consistently occupying the second place in sales among the six major types of tea. After green tea, black tea is the second favorite among Chinese people. Despite their distinct personalities, many people brew black tea in the same way as they would green tea. Actually, black tea offers more possibilities for brewing than green tea. How can you make your black tea taste better? Follow these tips! Image Brewing Black Tea in a Cup? No Problem The most traditional method of brewing green tea is in a cup, but can you do the same with black tea? Absolutely! Brewing black tea in a cup is similar to how you would brew green tea. First, add the tea leaves, then pour in water, and finally enjoy the drink. The specific method is…

Pu'er tea is a general term for Yunnan large-leaf sun-dried green teas. The quality of Pu'er raw tea refers to the color, aroma, taste, and shape exhibited after fresh tea leaves are processed into finished tea, also known as sensory quality. When buying Pu'er tea, everyone encounters a problem: it's difficult to judge whether a Pu'er tea is good or bad from its appearance. Even after examining the appearance, the purchased Pu'er tea may not necessarily be of high quality. How to Distinguish the Quality of Pu'er Tea by Appearance? The integrity and cleanliness of the tea leaves should be observed. Pu'er tea comes in various forms (cake tea/tuo tea/briquette tea/scattered tea). The shape and surface of the tea should be regular and upright; the strips should be thick and stout with an appropriate proportion of tender buds. There should be no impurities in the tea, and the shape should be complete and uniform, whole rather than broken, which are characteristics of high-quality tea. The luster of the tea product's color should be noted. High-quality Pu'er tea usually presents a bright and glossy appearance, rather than a dull and lifeless one. The leaf base of good Pu'er tea should have…

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.…

There was a rumor that someone would collect used tea leaves, dry them, and sell them as tea to diners. I don’t believe such rumors. What do you think about the possibility? While it's unlikely that used tea leaves could be resold as tea, they are not entirely useless. With proper collection and utilization, they can indeed be turned into something useful. Today, let’s discuss what uses spent tea leaves have. Let’s see if you can turn waste into treasure. 1. Eliminate Spicy and Unpleasant Odors If you eat something particularly spicy during a meal, try chewing on some steeped tea leaves and rinse your mouth with tea. This will quickly alleviate the spiciness. Similarly, if you consume garlic, onions, or other foods with strong odors that leave your breath unpleasant, you can chew on tea leaves and rinse your mouth with tea or water to freshen your breath and eliminate the odor. 2. Remove Kitchen Grease and Fishy Smells In the kitchen, many utensils inevitably get greasy when cooking. Used tea leaves can be used to wipe surfaces and effectively remove grease. Especially for stubborn grease on stoves, wiping several times with damp tea leaves works very well. When…

How is Dragon Ball tea made? The production method of Dragon Ball Pu'er tea is the same as that of raw Pu'er tea, except that Dragon Balls are in a spherical form. The shape of Dragon Balls represents a revival of the Pu'er tea cake form. In the past, tea cakes required breaking before brewing, but now Dragon Balls come in sizes of 5-8 grams, just right for one serving, eliminating the need for breaking. As Dragon Ball tea cakes maintain the taste of tea while being convenient and appealing to consumer preferences, they have been well-received by the market. The Process of Making Sun-Dried Green Tea 1. Preparation of Raw Materials Preparation of raw materials is the most important step in making sun-dried green tea. This type of tea is best made from fresh buds and leaves of large-leaf tea varieties, which should be handpicked using proper techniques to ensure high-quality tea leaves. 2. Spreading Out and Fixation After picking, the tea leaves should be spread out and placed in a cool, ventilated area to speed up the evaporation of moisture. Once the fresh leaves become soft, they can proceed to the next step. Fixation, which can be conducted…

Hello fellow teapot enthusiasts, have you ever come across this practice where some people, especially when nourishing their teapots at night, like to leave tea leaves and concentrated infusion inside, thinking that this will speed up the patina formation process, making teapot nourishment more efficient and convenient, while also being effective. Is this approach really correct? Can tea leaves and tea water be left in a purple clay teapot overnight? The answer is no. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight, once cooled, has no effect. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight for extended periods, particularly during hot summer days, can easily lead to the growth of harmful substances within the teapot. Purple clay teapots are prone to accumulating dark tea stains over time, which become very difficult to clean and may look rather unpleasant, diminishing one’s desire to drink tea. When nourishing a teapot, the hot tea infusion penetrates the pores as steam evaporates, bringing out tea oils onto the surface of the pot. Repeated wiping with a tea cloth forms a patina. Leaving tea leaves and tea infusion in the pot overnight, once cooled, has no effect. Leaving tea leaves and…

Tea enthusiasts are certainly familiar with Pu'er tea, but not all may know how to truly appreciate it. Today, let's discuss the seven steps to drinking Pu'er tea. Step 1: Observe the Tea Mature production techniques result in cakes that are evenly shaped, compact, and uniform in thickness. With the advent of electrostatic dust removal machines, modern Pu'er teas from reputable manufacturers are free of foreign objects. Prior to 2004, when such machines were not widely used, older teas might have some impurities due to manual sorting. The color distinguishes raw from ripe teas: ripe teas are dark brown, while raw teas range from dark green (young) to brownish-red (aged), transitioning from loose to compact, thin to robust, dry to lustrous. Step 2: Touch the Tea The compactness of the tea indicates its aging potential; loosely packed leaves age faster under equal storage conditions, while tightly packed leaves age more slowly. Surface blending involves sprinkling higher-grade leaves on the surface for a better appearance, while a single-grade cake consists of uniformly graded leaves throughout, without any external embellishment. Step 3: Smell the Dry Tea As the name suggests, use your nose to carefully smell the tea. Pu'er tea improves with…

Black tea is the most consumed type of tea worldwide, known for its gentle, mellow flavor that warms from throat to stomach. However, brewing a high-quality cup of black tea can be challenging for many beginners. Many tea enthusiasts often encounter a bitter and astringent taste when brewing black tea. How can we avoid these pitfalls? Today, Chaye Dan (Tea Egg) will share some tips on how to brew a delicious cup of black tea. 1. **Choice of Teaware** A white porcelain gaiwan brings out the fresh and elegant flavors of black tea without overpowering its aroma. The translucent white porcelain complements the reddish hue of the tea, making it easy to observe the color of the liquor, which is truly a beautiful sight. 2. **Ratio of Tea to Water** When brewing tea, it's important to get the right ratio of tea to water. Many tea enthusiasts rely on experience, but using too much tea is the primary cause of overly bitter and astringent tea. When using a gaiwan to brew black tea, the recommended amount of tea is about 4 grams. If you use too little tea, even with less water, you won't fully bring out the rich flavor…

Tea enthusiasts who enjoy tea are certainly familiar with Pu'er tea, but not all may know how to fully appreciate it. Today, let's discuss the seven steps to enjoying Pu'er tea together. Step 1: Observe the Tea Mature production processes ensure consistency in the shape of the compressed tea cakes, which are evenly formed and tightly compacted. Since the introduction of electrostatic dust removal machines, contemporary Pu'er teas from reputable manufacturers do not contain foreign objects. However, before 2004 when these machines were not widely used, older teas might have some impurities as they were manually screened. The color of Pu'er tea can help distinguish between raw and ripe varieties: ripe Pu'er is dark brown, while raw Pu'er ranges from dark green (young) to brownish-red (aged), with loose or compact leaves that become dry and lustrous over time. Step 2: Feel the Tea Feel the compactness of the tea; a loosely packed tea will age faster under the same storage conditions compared to one that is more tightly packed. When breaking off a piece of the tea, check for consistency throughout – some teas have higher-grade leaves sprinkled on the surface for better appearance, while others use a uniform grade…

Xinhui citrus peel, with its spicy, sweet, and warm properties, is a high-quality product that can invigorate the spleen and stomach, relieve nausea, stimulate appetite, and eliminate dampness and phlegm. It's a traditional ingredient that's both medicinal and culinary, perfect for home use. While commonly consumed as a tea, it can also be used in cooking and soups, but perhaps most effectively in health-promoting porridges. This article presents five recipes using Xinhui citrus peel in porridge along with their benefits, for the benefit of our fellow tea enthusiasts. Making porridge is simple, but choosing the right citrus peel is key. 1. Appetite-Boosting and Digestive Ma Bao Porridge 2. Herbal Citrus Peel and Amomum Villosum Porridge Ingredients: 5 grams of citrus peel, 5 grams of amomum villosum, 3-4 slices of ginger, 50 grams of lean meat, and 50 grams of Northeastern rice (for 1-2 servings, adjust according to number of people). Preparation: Wash the citrus peel, amomum villosum, and rice. Cut the lean meat into thin strips. Place the citrus peel, ginger, and rice in a pot, add 1 liter of water, and cook until the porridge is done. Add the lean meat and cook for another 10 minutes. Finally, add…

The first infusion of brewed tea doesn’t need to be discarded. Firstly, the volume of water used in brewing tea is usually quite large, and discarding the brew would be wasteful. Secondly, when brewing tea, the tea is added after the water has boiled, and once it boils again, the tea can be poured out and consumed; there's no need for a rinse. Thirdly, the tea broth from brewing is sweet, mellow, full-bodied, and smooth. Discarding it would result in the loss of its flavors and prevent you from tasting its true essence. Should the First Infusion of Brewed Tea Be Discarded? Whether to discard the first infusion of tea depends on the type of tea, and one should not blindly decide whether to discard or keep it. 1. If the tea is light in flavor, it’s not recommended to discard the first infusion; it’s best to taste it as it is. 2. If the tea is rich in flavor, it’s recommended to discard the first infusion since it doesn't fully represent the tea's taste. 3. For aged teas, it is advisable to discard the first infusion. This serves two purposes: cleaning off any dust and waking up the tea.…