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 purple clay pots have an adsorptive effect, purifying the water and making it smoother. Iron pots are particularly suitable for brewing rock tea and aged teas, enhancing their richness, but they require regular maintenance. Silver pots produce soft and smooth water, more suitable for brewing black teas.
In terms of convenience, electric water heaters are commonly used. When choosing one, consider a narrower spout (a wide spout makes it difficult to control the pouring). Stainless steel is a better choice to avoid any off-flavors.
Chaozhou Wind Stove and Clay Pot
Brewing Tool Selection 02
In addition to water heaters, brewing tools typically include porcelain lidded bowls, purple clay pots, and porcelain pots. In the “Wuyi Rock Tea Brewing and Tasting” standard and tea evaluation, white glazed porcelain utensils are generally used. White porcelain lidded bowls do not absorb the fragrance and flavor of the tea, allowing for an authentic representation of the rock tea. They also provide a clear display of the tea infusion and leaf base, with the aroma clinging to the lid, facilitating comparisons between dry tea, lid, and cup aromas.
White Porcelain Fairness Cup
In daily brewing, in addition to using porcelain lidded bowls with fairness cups, some may use purple clay pots for brewing. Typically, two purple clay pots are used in tandem, one for brewing and the other as a fairness cup. Alternatively, a single purple clay pot can be used for brewing, followed by distributing the tea using the “General Guan's City Tour and Marshal Han's Army Inspection” procedure directly into tasting cups.
Purple clay pots and porcelain lidded bowls each have their characteristics. Porcelain lidded bowls are better for smelling the aroma, while purple clay pots enhance the taste. Based on typical brewing and tasting experiences, combining porcelain lidded bowls and purple clay pots to Brew rock tea can be effective. Use a porcelain lidded bowl to brew the rock tea and a purple clay pot as a fairness cup. Using a porcelain lidded bowl allows for a comprehensive appreciation of the lid aroma, which tends to be higher and clearer.
White Porcelain Lidded Bowl
The benefits of using a purple clay pot as a fairness cup include: first, better heat retention compared to glass fairness cups, keeping the tea warm, especially in colder environments; second, the pot enhances the tea infusion, reducing the initial stimulation without compromising the body of the tea.
Tasting Cup Selection
Tasting cups, used for savoring the tea, affect both the tea infusion and the psychological experience of enthusiasts. Therefore, selecting suitable tasting cups enhances the tea presentation and brings joy to drinkers.
For optimal tea infusion, choose cups that retain fragrance well. Porcelain cups tend to retain fragrance better than other materials. Regarding shape, cups with higher walls and smaller openings help concentrate and retain the aroma. A white interior helps observe the color of the infusion.
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