Often when watching others Brew tea, you'll see them first scald the pot with hot water before adding the tea leaves. There's a term for this action in the trade known as “warming the pot.” Scalding the tea utensils with boiling water not only ensures hygiene but also serves a practical purpose. Warming the cups and pots is a habitual action that most people perform before brewing tea – even after cleaning the utensils, they are rinsed again with boiling water.
Many believe that this ceremonial gesture disinfects the tea ware, making it more hygienic to Drink from, and raises the temperature of the utensils, which improves the taste of the tea. However, few delve deeper into the underlying reasons. What other significant effects does warming the cups and pots have?
I. Public Cleaning, Demonstrating Etiquette
If we say that warming the cups and pots is for cleaning the tea ware, it doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Tea is clean by nature, and thus requires a clean and hygienic environment and utensils. Before the tea ware is placed on the table, it should naturally be cleaned beforehand; why would one need to clean it again?
The action of warming the cups and pots is primarily a matter of etiquette. Rinsing the tea ware with boiling water in front of guests makes them feel more comfortable and reassured, demonstrating attentiveness and thoughtfulness.
II. Eliminating Odors, Avoiding Water Taste
Cleaning tea ware with cold water removes surface dust and stains, but the odors still need to be dissipated by the heat of boiling water. Especially for clay or purple clay tea ware, which has a lower density and higher porosity compared to porcelain, it is very easy to absorb odors. If the tea ware hasn't been used for some time and hasn't been stored properly, it can easily pick up impurities, and washing it with just cold water isn't enough.
Before brewing tea, open the pot lid and rinse the Teapot with boiling water, then pour out the water and let it sit for a moment to allow the odors to dissipate with the steam. Furthermore, tea ware washed with tap water at room temperature often retains water marks that can impart a tap-water taste. Sensitive tea enthusiasts may notice that if there are water marks left on the teapot or teacup, it can affect the taste of the tea when drinking.
Therefore, rinsing the tea ware with boiling water not only cleans the utensils and eliminates odors but also evaporates any water marks, keeping the tea ware dry and ensuring a purer tea flavor.
III. Increasing and Maintaining Temperature
If a cold teapot is used directly to brew tea, the water temperature will drop quickly, making it difficult to achieve the ideal brewing temperature, and consequently, it's hard to brew a satisfactory cup of tea. Drinking tea from a cold cup similarly fails to present the best aroma. One of the main purposes of warming the cups and pots is to raise their temperature. This is particularly noticeable in colder winters. The difference between a warmed and unwarmed pot is quite evident. Warming the cups and pots is especially important when brewing oolong tea. After warming the teapot, add the oolong tea, cover, gently shake, and then lift the lid to smell the rich floral and fruity fragrance. Pouring boiling water over the tea immediately releases its high and fragrant aroma.
In addition to warming the pot before brewing to increase its temperature, during the brewing process, boiling water is often poured over the pot to maintain its internal temperature. It's clear that temperature, as one of the three key factors in brewing tea, is crucial. Besides water temperature, the temperature of the tea ware also needs to be considered for its impact on the tea.
Each action in the process of brewing tea must have its reason. For example, in traditional Chaozhou Gongfu tea, actions such as scraping the foam off the lid, the three nods of the phoenix, Guan Yu's city tour, and Han Xin's counting of soldiers are not mere performances but carry deep meanings. Therefore, to enjoy a good cup of tea, the step of warming the cups and pots beforehand is truly indispensable.