Tea, as an ancient drink, has a long history and deep culture not only in China, but also around the world. Different teas have different flavors and characteristics, and the right brewing method is the key to showing their unique charm. This article will give you a detailed introduction to the brewing methods of different tea leaves to help you brew the perfect cup of tea.
Green tea: fresh and elegant
Features: Green tea is an unfermented tea that retains the natural green color and fresh taste of the tea leaves.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 80-85°C. Too high a water temperature will destroy the vitamin C in green tea and affect the taste.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:50 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 50 ml of water).
Brewing time: 1-3 minutes. Green tea should not be steeped for a long time to avoid bitterness.
Brew times: 2-3 times. The aroma and taste of green tea are relatively light, making it suitable for multiple brews.
Representative varieties: Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng.
Black tea: mellow and sweet
Characteristics: Black tea is a fully fermented tea with a bright red color and mellow taste.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 90-95°C. Black tea is suitable for slightly higher water temperatures to fully release the aroma of the tea leaves.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:50 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 50 ml of water).
Brewing time: 3-5 minutes. The aroma and taste of black tea are relatively strong, and it is suitable for steeping for a long time.
Brew times: 3-5 times. Black tea has good brewing resistance and is suitable for multiple brewing.
Representative varieties: Qimen black tea, Zhengshan small species, Jin Junmei.
Oolong tea: fragrant and flavorful
Characteristics: Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea, between green tea and black tea, with a high aroma and rich taste.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 95-100°C. Oolong tea is suitable for using high-temperature water to fully stimulate the aroma of the tea leaves.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:20 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 20 ml of water).
Brewing time: 1-2 minutes. Oolong tea has a richer aroma and taste, making it suitable for quick brewing.
Brew frequency: 7-8 times. Oolong tea has excellent brewing resistance and is suitable for multiple brewing.
Representative varieties: Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao, Phoenix Single Bush.
Black tea: Aged and mellow
Features: Black tea is a kind of post-fermented tea, after a long period of fermentation and aging, the color of the tea leaves is black and bright, and the taste is mellow.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 100°C. Black tea requires high-temperature water to fully release the aged aroma of the tea leaves.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:20 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 20 ml of water).
Brewing time: 1-3 minutes. The aroma and taste of black tea are relatively strong, and it is suitable for steeping for a longer time.
Brewing times: 10 times or more. Black tea is extremely resistant to brewing and is suitable for multiple brewing.
Representative varieties: Pu'er tea, Liubao tea, Anhua black tea.
White tea: elegant and sweet
Features: White tea is a kind of micro-fermented tea, the production process is simple, the color of the tea is natural, and the taste is elegant.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 85-90°C. White tea is suitable for slightly lower water temperature to maintain the fragrance of the tea leaves.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:50 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 50 ml of water).
Brewing time: 1-3 minutes. The aroma and taste of white tea are relatively light, making it suitable for steeping for a short time.
Brew times: 3-5 times. White tea has good brewing resistance and is suitable for multiple brewing.
Representative varieties: white silver needle, white peony.
Yellow Tea: Sweet and mild
Characteristics: Yellow tea is a lightly fermented tea with a bright yellow color and a mellow taste.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 85-90°C. Yellow tea is suitable for slightly lower water temperature to maintain the glycol of the tea leaves.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:50 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 50 ml of water).
Brewing time: 3-5 minutes. The aroma and taste of yellow tea are milder and suitable for steeping for a longer period of time.
Brew times: 3-5 times. Yellow tea has good brewing resistance and is suitable for multiple brewing.
Representative varieties: Junshan silver needle, Mengding yellow bud.
Flower Tea: Floral aroma
Features: Flower tea is a kind of tea made by mixing tea leaves with flowers, and the tea absorbs the floral fragrance and has a unique aroma.
Brewing Method:
Water temperature: 90-95°C. Flower teas are suitable for slightly higher water temperatures to fully release the floral aromas.
Tea-to-water ratio: 1:50 (1 gram of tea leaves corresponds to 50 ml of water).
Brewing time: 3-5 minutes. The aroma and taste of flower tea are relatively strong, and it is suitable for steeping for a long time.
Brew times: 3-5 times. Flower tea has good brewing resistance and is suitable for multiple brewing.
Representative varieties: jasmine tea, osmanthus tea, rose tea.
Making tea is an art and a pleasure. By understanding how different tea leaves are brewed, you can better experience the wonderful flavor of tea. Whether it's fresh green tea, mellow black tea, or fragrant oolong tea, each tea has its own unique charm waiting for you to discover and taste.