Did you know that every cup of tea has a reason, meaning, and tradition behind it? The art of brewing tea is a skill that has been perfected over centuries and passed down from generation to generation in tea-drinking cultures all around the world.
The art of brewing tea is steeped in history and tradition; When you brew tea, you’re not just making a drink. You’re connecting with nature and yourself, taking time to savor the delicious flavors and aromas of the tea, and enjoying the process of making it. How amazing is that!
The Fundamentals of Tea Brewing
Brewing the perfect cup of tea is an art that requires attention to detail and a love for the craft. While the specific techniques may vary depending on the type of tea and the cultural traditions surrounding it, some basic principles apply across the board.
First and foremost, selecting high-quality tea leaves is essential for creating a delicious and satisfying brew. The water used to steep the tea is equally important, and many experts recommend using spring or filtered water to avoid any unwanted flavors or aromas.
Temperature is another key factor to consider when brewing tea, as different varieties require different levels of heat. For example, green tea should be brewed with water that is around 170°F to 180°F, while black tea requires water that is closer to boiling.
Finally, the length of time that the tea is steeped can have a significant impact on its flavor. Too little time can result in a weak and watery brew, while too much time can make the tea taste bitter and unpleasant.
Whether you’re a seasoned tea drinker or just starting on your journey, it’s important to understand the nuances of tea brewing to achieve the perfect cup every time. So go ahead and explore the world of tea, and discover all the delicious flavors and aromas that await you!
Quick Tip: Similar to coffee, brewing tea also involves a precise ratio: two grams of tea for every 150 milliliters of water. While this is a useful guideline for all types of tea, it is important to rely on a kitchen scale rather than visual estimation, as certain teas, such as white and green teas, tend to be lighter than others.
Brewing Different Types of Tea
Black Tea
Numerous individuals who consume tea prefer incorporating milk and sugar into their black tea. Some may opt for a spoonful of honey to counteract the slight bitterness, a dash of lemon to emphasize the astringency, or simply as is. Regardless of one’s preference, implementing these recommendations will result in a superior cup of tea.
To brew black tea:
- Begin by boiling water from the cold tap. Once boiled, pour the water directly into the teapot and add the tea leaves, allowing them to float freely.
- Let 2-2.5g of tea leaves steep for approximately 6 minutes if it contains tannic acids, or 8-10 minutes if it does not.
- Stir the tea in the teapot before decanting it onto a preheated teapot if it contains tannins. If not, do not decant the tea.
- The tea is now ready to be served.
Note: Use one measuring spoon or 2 grams of tea leaves per cup, or 10 grams of tea leaves per liter of water.
Green Tea and White Tea
If you are someone who has reservations about green tea/white tea, we urge you to reconsider. Before you dismiss this wonderful drink altogether, we’d like to share our green tea/white tea brewing guide with you. In many cases, it’s not the tea itself that’s the issue, but rather the temperature of the water or the brewing time.
To brew green tea/ white tea:
- Start by boiling water from a cold tap. Once the water has reached boiling point, allow it to cool for approximately 5 minutes until the temperature reaches around 70-80 degrees.
- Next, pour the water over the freely flowing leaves in the teapot and let 2-2.5g of tea leaves infuse for 2- 3 mins.
- It’s worth noting that all Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese teas are free of tannins, as well as our fruit teas.
- Once the tea has been brewed, it is ready to be served.
Did you know that you can steep green tea or white tea more than once? Yes, you read that right! Just remember to increase the steeping time with each infusion. And while we’re on the topic, after the first steep, the caffeine content drops by 60 to 80%. So don’t be afraid to give green tea or white tea another chance, and brew it right for a truly delightful experience!
Oolong
This fantastic tea is perfectly situated between green tea and black tea, and so are the steeping techniques.
Not only that, but Oolong tea is a fantastic choice for re-steeping, as every infusion offers new and exciting aromas and flavors to explore. Get ready to take your taste buds on a journey with every cup of Oolong tea!
To brew oolong:
- Begin by heating water from a cold tap until it reaches boiling point. After boiling, allow the water to cool for roughly 3 minutes until it reaches a temperature of around 80 – 90 degrees.
- Use 2-2.5g of loose tea.
- The steeping time for the tea may vary depending on the specific type and personal taste, with leaf-style tea infusing more rapidly than rolled-style tea.
- Set a timer for 1 minute and taste the tea at 1-minute intervals, continuing every 30 seconds until it meets your desired taste.
In the traditional method, Oolong tea is steeped repeatedly, resulting in unique flavors with every subsequent brew. If you use a teapot with a larger capacity, the leaves can be reused 2 or 3 times, while a teapot with a smaller capacity can allow for up to 5 reuses.
Pu-erh:
If you’re a fan of Pu-erh Tea, you’re in for a treat! While it’s recommended to use a clay or cast iron teapot, a modern one will work just as well. And get this – a single Pu erh leaf can produce up to 10 cups of tea!
While it can be a bit pricey, it’s worth the investment. To make the perfect cup, use 5-6 grams (that’s about 3 tablespoons) per 150ml. And if you want more, just add an additional 30 seconds to brew time for each additional cup. Enjoy!
To brew Pu-erh:
RIPE CAKES
Ripe Pu-erh cakes are a sign that the leaves have been aged, similar to our loose leaf Pu-erh and sachet options. To make a cup of ripe Pu-erh cake tea, remove about one teaspoon of tea leaves and follow the brewing instructions provided.
- Begin by heating water from a cold tap until it reaches boiling point. After boiling, allow the water to cool for roughly 3 minutes until it reaches a temperature of around 95- 100 degrees. You can also preheat your cup by pouring boiling water into it, then discarding the water.
- Put 2-2.5g of loose tea into a teapot; Let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, pour the tea through a strainer/ infuser into your cup to catch any leftover leaves.
- Serve and enjoy.
RAW CAKES
The delicate and smooth flavors of raw Pu-erh should be treated like green or white tea. That means, using cooler water and a shorter steep time to prevent any coarseness or sharpness.
- Begin by heating water from a cold tap until it reaches boiling point. After boiling, allow the water to cool for roughly 3 minutes until it reaches a temperature of around 80- 90 degrees.
- Put 2-2.5g of loose tea into a teapot; Let the tea steep for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, pour the tea through a strainer/ infuser into your cup to catch any leftover leaves.
- Once you’re done, simply discard the leaves and enjoy the delicious taste of your Pu-erh tea!
Herbal Infusions
Brewing Herbal Teas for longer is the ultimate key to unlocking all the amazing flavors and health benefits they have to offer! Unlike teas containing Camellia Sinensis, these teas won’t turn bitter if you leave them brewing for a little extra time. So go ahead, let those herbal tea leaves steep and savor every last drop of their goodness!
To brew herbal infusions
- Start by boiling water from a cold tap. Once the water has reached boiling point. Put 2-2.5g of herbs in a teapot.
- Let the infusion steep for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, pour the tea through a strainer/ infuser into your cup to catch any leftover leaves.
- Serve the contents of the teapot and enjoy.
