Tea, as a long-standing drink, is not only a taste enjoyment, but also a cultural heritage and art of life. The correct brewing method can maximize the flavor and aroma of tea. This article will provide you with a detailed tea brewing guide to help you improve your tea drinking experience from tea selection to tea brewing skills.
1. Choose the right tea
Different types of tea have different characteristics and suitable brewing methods. Common teas include green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea and black tea, each of which has its own unique flavor and aroma. Therefore, first of all, you should choose the tea you like. Here are some common teas and their characteristics:
Green tea: fresh and fragrant, suitable for a quiet afternoon.
Black tea: mellow and sweet, suitable for sharing with friends.
Oolong tea: complex and multi-layered flavor, suitable for slow tasting.
White tea: light and soft, suitable for leisurely breakfast time.
Black tea: strong and unique, suitable for drinking with meals or parties.
2. Prepare brewing utensils
The utensils used to brew tea have a direct impact on the taste and texture of the tea. The following are some common tea sets and utensils recommended:
Teapot/tea cup: suitable for brewing large amounts of tea, especially black tea and oolong tea.
Glass cup/transparent tea set: suitable for brewing green tea and white tea, where you can watch the dancing of tea leaves.
Tea filter: used to avoid tea residue and keep the tea soup clear.
Thermometer: helps control water temperature to ensure the best release of tea leaves.
3. Master the best water temperature and brewing time
Different types of tea require different water temperatures and brewing times. The following are the research results of various types of tea:
1. Green tea
Water temperature: about 75°C – 80°C
Brewing time: 1 – 3 minutes
Method: Boil the water and cool it slightly, then add the tea leaves. Note that brewing for too long will produce a bitter taste.
2. Black tea
Water temperature: about 90°C – 95°C
Brewing time: 3 – 5 minutes
Method: Use hot water to brew directly. The longer the brewing time, the stronger the tea flavor.
3. Oolong tea
Water temperature: about 85°C – 90°C
Brewing time: 3 – 5 minutes (can be brewed multiple times)
Method: Oolong tea is suitable for multiple brewing. The first brewing can be short, and the subsequent brewing time can be gradually extended.
4. White tea
Water temperature: about 80°C – 90°C
Brewing time: 4 – 6 minutes
Method: Use less tea leaves and focus on the release of delicate taste.
5. Black tea
Water temperature: about 95°C – 100°C
Brewing time: 5 – 10 minutes
Method: Black tea is more resistant to brewing and can be brewed repeatedly. As the number of times increases, the taste will gradually become stronger.
4. Brewing steps
The following is a standard tea brewing step to ensure that every cup of tea can reflect its best state:
Prepare utensils: Make sure the tea utensils are clean and use boiling water to wash them once to increase the temperature.
Measure tea leaves: According to the type of tea and the number of people, choose the appropriate amount of tea leaves (generally 3 grams of tea leaves per 240 ml of water).
Add water: Heat the water to the corresponding temperature and slowly pour it into the teapot or teacup.
Standing: Let the tea leaves stand in the hot water, and control the time to avoid the tea flavor being too strong or too weak.
Tasting: After brewing, filter out the tea leaves to avoid affecting the taste, and taste it slowly to enjoy its delicate charm.
5. Additional tips
Second brewing: Many teas can experience different levels of flavor through second or even third brewing. The longest oolong tea can be brewed up to 10 times.
Observe the color of the tea: During the brewing process, you can observe the color changes of the tea soup to understand the strength and aroma of the tea.
Pair with snacks: A moderate amount of snacks (such as dried fruits and biscuits) can enhance the overall experience of tea.
VI. Conclusion
Tea brewing is not only a skill, but also a way to enjoy life. By mastering the brewing methods of different teas, you can not only taste a richer tea aroma, but also find inner peace in the process.
