Stainless steel

Tea is a combination of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Why so? The TV series "Chicken Feathers to the Sky" features a classic scene: "Tea, a fine tree of the south." The opening words of Lu Yu's "The Classic of Tea" are telling, indicating that tea belongs to wood. Here, when we refer to tea, we mean the tea plant, not the finished product. So, what is the relationship between tea and the five elements? How can the five elements achieve yin-yang harmony? What considerations should be given to how teaware is placed? 01 Tea has the Five Elements, the Way of Nourishing with Tea Metal: "Pan-fried to halt oxidation," it belongs to "metal." Fire: Tea is pan-fried using fire, which defines its character. Water: Tea is brewed with water, which unfolds its leaves and reveals its aroma. Earth: Brewing requires vessels, typically made of clay or porcelain teaware. "Harmony" is the soul of Chinese tea culture. Harmony adjusts yin and yang, harmony generates the five elements, harmony is the middle path, and harmony embodies "unity of heaven and humanity." According to traditional Chinese medicine, if a person's five elements are balanced and their generation and control are appropriate,…

Black tea is stored at room temperature and does not need to be kept in the fridge. As a fully fermented tea, its internal components are relatively stable and less affected by oxidation. Therefore, storage at room temperature is sufficient. When storing, place the tea in an aluminum bag and seal it, then put it in a tin can with a lid, and finally store it in a cool, dry, and shaded area. Can Black Tea Be Stored in the Fridge? Black tea can also be stored in the fridge, but this is not the optimal method of storage. Therefore, when storing black tea, using a suitable tea canister is preferable. Additionally, black tea should not be stored for long periods and should be consumed promptly. Black tea has a low moisture content and is prone to becoming damp or losing its aroma. During storage, avoid mixing different types of tea and use a tightly sealed, dry container, placed in a shaded area, which helps retain the original flavor of the black tea. Choice of Containers for Storing Black Tea While tea cans or bags are often provided with purchased tea, for long-term storage, it is best to use specialized…

Xiaoxinggan requires a rinse before steeping. Before you start, prepare a pot of boiling water and tear open the cotton paper wrapping of the Xiaoxinggan. Remove the Xiaoxinggan and place it in a gaiwan. Pour boiling water over it and immediately pour out the water; this is considered rinsing the tea. The rinse time should not be too long, generally no more than 5 seconds. After rinsing, you can proceed with the formal steeping and finally enjoy the tea. Many people are curious about whether the first steep of Xiaoxinggan needs a rinse. In fact, the first steep of Xiaoxinggan still requires a rinse. My suggestion is that the first two steeps can be directly discarded, which helps to wash away impurities in the tea. After removing the outer packaging of the Xiaoxinggan, lift off the lid and pour in boiling water. After about 3 seconds, quickly pour out the tea water. For the second steep, pour in boiling water again and let it sit for 3-5 seconds before pouring out the tea soup. Starting from the third steep, allow a bit longer steeping time, which will help the tangerine peel absorb water fully and release its essential oils and…

Metal utensils are among the oldest in China, made from materials such as gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin. Before Qin Shi Huang unified China, bronze vessels were already widely used, both for alcohol and for holding tea or water. As tea became a beverage, tea ware gradually separated from other types of utensils. Around the Northern and Southern Dynasties, China saw the emergence of silver and gold tea ware. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, the production of silver and gold utensils reached its peak. From the Song Dynasty onwards, opinions on metal tea ware were mixed. After the Yuan Dynasty, especially starting from the Ming Dynasty, with innovations in tea varieties, changes in tea-drinking methods, and the rise of ceramic tea ware, metal tea ware, including those made of silver, gradually disappeared. Particularly, tea ware made of tin, iron, and lead was believed to alter the taste of tea, leading to their rare usage. Silver and gold tea ware can be classified by material: those made of silver are called silver tea ware, while those made of gold are called gold tea ware. Silverware decorated with gold foil or gilded is referred to as gilded tea ware. Due…

New ripe Pu'er tea, taking Menghai fermentation as an example, often carries some stack flavors and miscellaneous odors. After all, it spends several dozen days in the heap. However, after two years of storage, a new ripe Pu'er tea has largely lost its stack flavor, replaced instead by a hint of aged aroma (note that this is not the scent of agarwood). This aged aroma can be discerned from the adhesion on the cup. During the early stage of the tea, this fragrance is accompanied by a watery taste, making it indistinct. The thickness of good ripe tea is evident right from the start, but during its initial stages, it is still affected by the water vapor, making the texture less concentrated and somewhat bland. After about two years, the thickness is fully released, making it viscous and heavy on the tongue. The Depth of Quality in Ripe Pu'er Tea The sweetness in new ripe Pu'er tea isn’t very direct; in other words, there’s a straightforward sweetness, but the lingering sensation after swallowing isn’t prominent. If a ripe tea two or three years old doesn’t develop any sweetness, it means its potential for improvement is limited. Observing changes at different…

Do not retrieve tea by hand as it can lead to spoilage easily. How should one retrieve tea? Let's share with everyone. Pay attention to these points! Reaching into the tea to retrieve some not only ruins the inherent elegance of the tea leaves, but also risks spoiling them and accelerating their spoilage. Tea leaves are most vulnerable to dampness or contamination by odors. Our hands come into contact with many surfaces throughout the day, inevitably carrying bacteria and microorganisms, and they are also prone to sweating or coming into contact with moisture. If you grab tea leaves with your hands, you change their dry environment and may contaminate them with bacteria or microorganisms. A moist environment provides an ideal breeding ground for these organisms. Under such conditions, the tea’s fragrant aroma will gradually fade, and the tea itself may deteriorate more quickly. In the art of tea, it is recommended to use a dedicated tea scoop to retrieve tea, which can be made of stainless steel, wood, or bamboo. However, after using the tea scoop, it must be kept in a dry environment, such as a cabinet for storing utensils. If possible, it's best to keep the tea scoop…

In the height of summer, we've entered the dog days. The weather is both sultry and humid. When we take out some tea stored at home to tidy up, we often find that much of it has molded and can no longer be consumed – a great pity. Nowadays, more and more people enjoy tea, but many don't know the best methods for storing it. Some even keep their tea in basements, garages, or even in the refrigerator with food – all very incorrect practices. Tea leaves have strong hygroscopic and odor-absorbing properties, making them easily susceptible to absorbing moisture and odors from the air. This is especially true in the hot, humid weather of summer when they are more prone to microbial growth. How should you store tea at home? Most teas purchased by households come in cans or as loose tea. Since you won’t use it all at once, you’ll face the issue of storage. Here are some common household tea storage methods. Let’s learn them together. Sealed Bag and Foil Bag Storage Method Select bags with sealable closures designed for food, or professional sealable bags. Choose those made from thicker, higher-density materials and avoid using scented or…

Wuyi Rock Tea is unique with its rock aroma, attributed to the "Ultimate Mountains and Rivers." In the tea world, it's often said that "water is the father of tea, and utensils are the mother of tea," highlighting the significant impact of tea utensils on the infusion and drinking experience beyond the tea itself. The correct brewing technique and suitable utensils are crucial in bringing out the "rock aroma." The development of local standards like the "Wuyi Rock Tea Brewing and Tasting Method" and group standards such as the "Wuyi Rock Tea Brewing and Tasting Utensils" further emphasize the importance of harmonizing "tea" with "utensils." Let's explore this together today. Brewing Utensil Selection 01 Selecting appropriate utensils based on the characteristics of rock tea primarily involves choosing a water heater, brewing tools, and tasting cups. 1. Choosing a Water Heater Brewing not only requires good water quality but also the right water heating equipment. Water heaters can be categorized by material into iron, copper, silver, stainless steel, glass, and clay pots, and by heating method into electric, alcohol lamp, and charcoal-based ones. Electric Water Heater From a material perspective, enthusiasts can choose clay, purple clay, or iron pots. Clay and…

For the average consumer, few have a comprehensive understanding of the entire pile fermentation process for ripe tea, mainly because the stability of the microbial community in the fermentation workshop is so valuable that it is often treated as confidential by tea factories and strictly off-limits to visitors. Secondly, even if one could enter for a tour, it would be difficult to conduct a follow-up study of each step, as the entire pile fermentation cycle lasts several days and includes different stages such as watering, turning piles, and ditching, making it a complex system. Moreover, since the decisive role in pile fermentation is played by invisible microorganisms, it does not resemble modern manufacturing with standardized procedures and quantifiable metrics but is more like a technology guided by empiricism. From controlling the temperature in the workshop to timing the turning of the piles, many steps in pile fermentation lack quantifiable standards, and the success or failure of each fermentation relies heavily on the experience and adaptability of the fermentation master. Today, Lu Li will take fellow tea enthusiasts through the general process of pile fermentation. Selecting the Fermentation Site The site is crucial for pile fermentation. As water is applied during…

What is 316 Stainless Steel? 316 stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel containing molybdenum, which gives it superior corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength compared to other types of stainless steel. 316 stainless steel is commonly used in medical devices, food processing equipment, chemical containers, and other fields where material requirements are high. It contains 2-3% molybdenum, which enables it to maintain excellent corrosion resistance even at high temperatures. Advantages of 316 Stainless Steel Water Cups Water cups made from 316 stainless steel have many advantages that make them an ideal choice for brewing tea: (Image source: network, delete upon request) Strong Corrosion Resistance: The corrosion resistance of 316 stainless steel is very good, effectively preventing the corrosive effect of acidic substances in tea on the cup. Safe and Non-toxic: 316 stainless steel is harmless to the human body and does not release harmful substances, making it very suitable for brewing tea and storing drinking water. Easy to Clean: The smooth surface of 316 stainless steel makes it difficult for tea stains and bacteria to adhere, making cleaning very convenient. Durable: 316 stainless steel is strong and durable, resistant to deformation or damage, and has a long service life. Precautions…