Tea is diverse and charming. Brewing it correctly brings out its best flavors and takes us on a sensory journey. This blog provides detailed instructions on how to brew the six major types of Chinese loose-leaf teas.
1. Green Tea
Common green teas include Bi Luo Chun, West Lake Longjing, and Mengding Ganlu.
1.1 Teaware Choice:
A glass cup lets you appreciate the color and appearance of green tea, while a Gaiwan is multifunctional and allows you to regulate its strength.
1.2 Tea-to-water ratio
Just cover the bottom of the Gaiwan. Due to its higher density, a thin layer at the bottom is sufficient for flat green teas like Longjing; for fluffier green teas like Mao Feng and Gua Pian, use more, about 1/5 of the bowl's volume.
1.3 Water temperature
Brew with water at 80°C-90°C. Delicate teas need slightly cooler water; tougher teas can handle hotter water. Too hot water may overcook the leaves and cause the tea to lose its freshness. Some prefer using boiling water to bring out the aroma.
1.4 Brewing steps
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Warm and clean the teaware
First, rinse the teapot and cups with boiling water to remove moisture and preheat the teaware.
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Add Tea
Place an appropriate amount of tea leaves into the teapot.
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Pour water
Slowly pour 80°C-85°C water along the pot's side to avoid directly hitting the tea leaves.
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Serve
2. Oolong Tea
Includes Southern Fujian, Northern Fujian, Guangdong, and Taiwanese Oolongs.
2.1 Teaware Choice
Porcelain-covered Gaiwan or Yixing clay pot. Use a porcelain bowl if you enjoy the high fragrance of Oolong tea; for a deeper taste, a Yixing pot is recommended due to its good insulation.
2.2 Tea-to-water ratio
Generally, 1/5 to 1/3 of the teaware's volume. Use less for tightly rolled teas like Tieguanyin; use more for strip-shaped Oolongs like Wuyi Rock tea or Phoenix Dancong.
2.3 Water temperature
It is best brewed with boiling water to enhance the tea's aroma.
2.4 Brewing steps
- Warm and clean the teaware
Rinse the Gaiwan or Yixing pot and cups with boiling water.
- Add Tea
Add an appropriate amount of tea leaves based on the size of the chosen teaware.
- Awakening the Tea (optional)
Discard the first infusion to rinse the leaves and cups, then proceed with boiling water for brewing.
- Pour water
Use a high pour with boiling water to stimulate the fragrance.
- Serve
Oolong tea can be brewed multiple times; start with a shorter brewing time and gradually increase. High-quality leaves can withstand 7-8 infusions.
3. Yellow tea
Includes Mengding Huangya, Junshan Yinzhen, and Weishan Maojian.
3.1 Teaware Choice
Huoshan Huangya in a White Porcelain Gaiwan( $8.50)
Glass cup or Gaiwan.
3.2 Tea-to-water ratio
Fill about one-quarter of the teaware with yellow tea leaves and adjust to taste.
3.4 Water temperature
Ideally, it should be between 85 °C and 90 °C to prevent scalding of the leaves.
3.5 Brewing steps
- Warm and clean the teaware
Rinse with boiling water.
- Add Tea
Place an appropriate amount of yellow tea into the teapot or Gaiwan.
- Pour water
Slowly pour 85°C-90°C water along the edge.
- Serve
The optimal brewing time for the first infusion is 30 seconds, extending to 60 seconds for the second and 2 minutes for the third to enhance the flavor. Using a glass cup, you can also enjoy watching the leaves unfurl.
4. Black Tea
Including Jin Jun Mei, Lapsang Souchong, Keemun, and Dian Hong.
4.1 Teaware Choice
Choose white porcelain teaware, such as a white porcelain Gaiwan. This allows you to observe the color of the tea and appreciate the "golden ring" at the edge. Yixing Zisha (Purple Clay Pot) It is not recommended.
4.2 Tea-to-water ratio
Cover the bottom of the Gaiwan slightly more than green tea. For finer teas like Keemun or Jin Jun Mei, use about 1/5 of the bowl; for coarser teas like Dian Hong, add more leaves.
4.3 Water temperature
85°C-90°C is suitable for maintaining a sweet taste; a temperature that is too high might cause a poor-quality tea to taste bitter.
4.4 Brewing steps
- Warm and clean the teaware
Rinse the Gaiwan and tea cups with boiling water.
- Add Tea
Place an appropriate amount of black tea into the Gaiwan.
- Pour water
Add 85°C-90°C water to the Gaiwan.
- Serve
Pour quickly to avoid overstepping the leaves.
5. Dark tea
Includes Puerh, Liu Bao, Fuzhuan Brick, and Hunan Anhua dark teas.
5.1 Teaware Choice
Yixing clay pot, Gaiwan, or other professional tea equipment.
5.2 Tea-to-water ratio
About 1/5 of the Gaiwan's volume. Those who prefer more robust flavors can add more leaves and extend the brewing time.
5.3 Water temperature
Use water above 95°C to extract a thick and mellow taste for brewing.
5.4 Brewing steps
- Warm and clean the teaware
Rinse with boiling water.
- Add Tea
Add an appropriate amount of dark tea based on the size of the Gaiwan.
- Wash the Tea
Quickly rinse the first infusion to remove impurities and enhance the fragrance.
- Pour water
Add boiling water again.
- Serve
Subsequent brewing times are usually 2-3 minutes.
6. White tea
Includes Bai Hao Yin Zhen, Bai Mu Dan, Gong Mei, and Shou Mei.
6.1 Teaware Choice
Open, Gaiwan, or pot. There are fewer restrictions on brewing white tea; loose tea is usually recommended in a Gaiwan for convenience, and aged white tea is better suited for pot brewing, or you can steep it in a thermos.
6.2 Tea-to-water ratio
Loose tea fills 3/4 or 1/2 of the Gaiwan; pressed tea fills about 1/5. White Tea is not twisted during processing, so it releases juice slowly, and more leaves can be used.
6.3 Water temperature
Bai Hao Yin Zhen and Bai Mu Dan are best brewed at 80°C-90°C to highlight their fresh, sweet flavor; coarser materials like Gong Mei are brewed with boiling water. White tea can also be brewed with 100°C boiling water without issues.
6.4 Brewing steps
- Warm and clean the teaware
Rinse the Gaiwan, teapot, and tea cups with boiling water.
- Add Tea
Place an appropriate amount of white tea into the teaware.
- Pour water
Add 80°C-90°C water (or boiling water).
- Serve
The first infusion should last about 5 minutes, then filter and pour into a teacup for drinking; the second should last about 3 minutes. Generally, a cup of white tea can be brewed four or five times.
The brewing of looseleaf tea is an art, and all the numbers are just a beginning. The above tea-to-water ratios and brewing times are for reference only. Individuals can adjust according to personal taste and the specific characteristics of the tea leaves. Different strokes for different folks; adjust the amount of tea leaves and water temperature to your liking. Additionally, water quality can affect the flavor of the tea, so you choose purified water, mineral water, or distilled water.
