How to brew perfect tea?
Brewing a great cup of tea depends on factors like tea quality, water, utensils, temperature, and timing. Below are universal techniques and precautions for different tea categories to elevate your tea-making skills.
1. Essential Elements
A. Tea Selection
l Choose fresh, dry, and odor-free leaves. Standards vary by type (e.g., green tea values tenderness; aged Pu-erh prizes earthy aroma).
l Adjust tea quantity to taste (general ratio: 1:15 to 1:50 tea-to-water. E.g., 3g green tea/150ml; 5g Pu-erh/150ml).
B. Water Quality
l Soft water (spring/filtered water) is ideal. Avoid tap water (chlorine dulls flavor).
l Don’t over-boil water (reduces oxygen, flattening taste).
C. Brewing Vessels
l Green/White/Yellow teas: Glass cups/gaiwan (showcases leaves, cools quickly).
l Oolong/Pu-erh: Yixing clay teapots (enhances aroma) or ceramic pots.
l Black tea: Porcelain gaiwan (highlights sweetness).
l Dark tea: Ceramic/porcelain (absorbs impurities).
2. Temperature & Steeping Time
|
Tea Type
|
Water Temp.
|
1st Steep Time
|
Notes
|
|
Green
|
80–85°C
|
15–30 sec
|
High temp = bitterness
|
|
White (young)
|
85–90°C
|
20–30 sec
|
Aged white: use boiling
|
|
Yellow
|
85–90°C
|
20–30 sec
|
Similar to green
|
|
Oolong
|
95–100°C
|
10–30 sec
|
Wuyi rock tea: boil + high pour
|
|
Black
|
90–95°C
|
5–10 sec
|
Oversteeping → sourness
|
|
Pu-erh/Dark
|
100°C
|
10–20 sec
|
Rinse old tea 1–2 times first
|
3. Key Techniques
-
Preheat Tools
Rinse cups/pots with hot water to warm them and unlock tea fragrance.
-
Water Pouring
l Gentle pour: For green/white tea, glide water along the vessel’s side to protect delicate leaves.
l High pour: For oolong, pour from height to agitate leaves and release aroma.
-
Drain Fully
Empty the pot completely between steeps to avoid residual bitterness.
-
Multiple Infusions
l Green tea: 3–4 steeps; Oolong/Pu-erh: 7–10 steeps. Increase time by 5–10 sec per steep.
4. Troubleshooting
l Too bitter: Lower temperature or shorten steeping time.
l Weak flavor: Check for stale tea or increase temperature (e.g., black tea).
l Flat taste: Add more leaves or steep longer (aged tea can be boiled).
5. Pro Tips
l Observe the leaves: Adjust methods based on how leaves unfurl.
l Experiment: Test same tea type with different temps/times to find your sweet spot.
l Mindful brewing: Stay present—tea reflects the brewer’s state of mind.
Final Note: Great tea is harmony of leaf, water, tool, and person. Practice and patience will reveal your perfect cup.
