Making tea is a significant aspect of tea culture, and it is essential to learn the art of making tea for those who are tea enthusiasts. The key to brewing good tea is to start with the right kind of water. The preferred brewing water is tea water, which can be mineral water or any other water that is not pure.
One of the critical requirements of tea brewing water is that it should be boiled. Whether you are using water at 80 degrees or 90 degrees, always boil the water first and then let it cool to the required temperature.
When brewing tender tea leaves, it is important to use low-temperature water to avoid scalding the tea leaves. On the other hand, coarse and old tea leaves can be brewed at high temperatures to stimulate the aroma and taste of the tea.
It is also essential to choose teaware that is appropriate for the type of tea being brewed. Bowls and teapots are suitable for a wide range of teas. Practicing with different types of teaware can help you become proficient in brewing teas with ease.
To prepare the teaware for brewing, it is advisable to fill the teapot and teacup with water and rinse, including the spout and lid, and then quickly pour off the water. This raises the temperature of the tea set, preventing the temperature of the tea broth from dropping quickly after brewing.
This makes the temperature relatively stable and allows the tea to leach out the substances that are soluble in water more fully.
Once the tea is brewed, the tea maker needs to pour about three-quarters full of the tea into the guest's cup and then bring it to the guest with both hands. The guest, in turn, should perform a hand bow to express gratitude to the host.
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For people who like to taste tea, the brewing tea ritual is very important. The brewing tea utensils include pots, fair cups, tasting cups, smelling cups on the tea tray, tea ceremony, tea sample jars on the left side of the tea tray, and the boiling kettle on the right side of the tea tray.
Before brewing the tea, the tea leaves texture and color shape should be appreciated and confirmed again. Generally, the tea leaves with the best texture are tight, with no broken tea or less broken tea, and uniform in shape. Scalding the cups and heating the pot is the process of washing the cups to ensure the tea set's cleanliness before brewing the tea.
It also allows the tea leaves to brew with a pure and fragrant aroma to some extent. After boiling the water to about 99 degrees, pour it into the kettle, then into the tasting cups, and wash them one by one before putting them back in place.
To determine the steeping time, the tea type, its form, and the number of brewing times must be taken into account. The sitting time can be determined by the number of bubbles and each subsequent bubble can be extended by 3-5 seconds according to the previous bubble's sitting time.
When the tea is freshly brewed, it should not be consumed immediately. First, appreciate the color and check the shape of the tea. Then pick up the cup of tea, smell the aroma, and taste the flavor.
When sipping the soup, let the tea flow from the tip of the tongue to the root of the tongue and back to the tongue two or three times, feeling the aftertaste and sweetness of the tea soup.
Brewing tea is an art, and mastering it takes practice and attention to detail. Selecting the right water, teaware, and brewing method all play a crucial role in making the perfect cup of tea.
Paying attention to the brewing time and appreciating the tea's texture and flavor before consumption is also essential.
