How to Brew Chinese Teas

Brewing Chinese teas is an art that involves careful attention to water temperature, steeping time, and the specific characteristics of each type of tea. Here’s a general guide on how to brew different types of Chinese teas:

Green Tea (e.g., Longjing, Bi Luo Chun)

  1. Water Temperature: Use water that is around 70-80°C (158-176°F). Green teas are delicate and can become bitter if brewed with water that is too hot.
  2. Tea Leaves: Use about 2 grams of tea leaves for every 150 ml (5 oz) of water.
  3. Steeping Time: Steep the tea for 2-3 minutes for the first infusion. Adjust steeping time based on personal preference for subsequent infusions (usually longer for each subsequent infusion).
  4. Method:
    • Rinse the tea leaves briefly with hot water to awaken the leaves and remove any impurities.
    • Pour the water over the leaves and let them steep for the recommended time.
    • Strain the tea into a pitcher or directly into tea cups to serve.

Oolong Tea (e.g., Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao)

  1. Water Temperature: Use water that is around 85-95°C (185-203°F). Oolong teas are semi-oxidized and require hotter water than green teas.
  2. Tea Leaves: Use about 3-5 grams of tea leaves for every 150 ml (5 oz) of water.
  3. Steeping Time: Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes for the first infusion. Oolong teas can be steeped multiple times, gradually increasing steeping time for each subsequent infusion.
  4. Method:
    • Preheat the teapot or tea vessel by rinsing it with hot water.
    • Place the tea leaves into the teapot or tea infuser.
    • Pour the hot water over the tea leaves and steep for the recommended time.
    • Pour out the tea into a pitcher or directly into tea cups after steeping.

Black Tea (e.g., Keemun, Lapsang Souchong)

  1. Water Temperature: Use water that is boiling or around 95-100°C (203-212°F).
  2. Tea Leaves: Use about 2-3 grams of tea leaves for every 150 ml (5 oz) of water.
  3. Steeping Time: Steep the tea for 3-5 minutes for the first infusion. Adjust steeping time based on personal preference for subsequent infusions.
  4. Method:
    • Use a teapot or infuser that allows the tea leaves to fully expand during steeping.
    • Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves and let them steep for the recommended time.
    • Strain the tea into a pitcher or directly into tea cups to serve.

White Tea (e.g., Silver Needle, White Peony)

  1. Water Temperature: Use water that is around 70-80°C (158-176°F).
  2. Tea Leaves: Use about 2-3 grams of tea leaves for every 150 ml (5 oz) of water.
  3. Steeping Time: Steep the tea for 4-5 minutes for the first infusion. White teas are delicate and benefit from longer steeping times to extract flavors.
  4. Method:
    • Preheat the teapot or tea vessel with hot water.
    • Place the tea leaves into the teapot or infuser.
    • Pour the hot water over the tea leaves and steep for the recommended time.
    • Pour out the tea into a pitcher or directly into tea cups after steeping.

Pu’erh Tea (Raw or Ripe)

  1. Water Temperature: Use boiling water (100°C, 212°F) for both raw and ripe Pu’erh teas.
  2. Tea Leaves: Use about 5-7 grams of tea leaves for every 150 ml (5 oz) of water.
  3. Steeping Time: Steep raw Pu’erh for 1-2 minutes for the first infusion, increasing steeping time for subsequent infusions. Ripe Pu’erh can be steeped longer, starting with 3-5 minutes for the first infusion.
  4. Method:
    • Rinse the tea leaves briefly with hot water to awaken them and remove any impurities (especially for Pu’erh).
    • Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves and steep for the recommended time.
    • Strain the tea into a pitcher or directly into tea cups to serve.

Tips for Brewing Chinese Teas:

  • Quality of Water: Use fresh, filtered water to brew Chinese teas for the best flavor.
  • Teaware: Use a teapot or tea infuser that allows the tea leaves to unfurl and infuse properly.
  • Multiple Infusions: Many Chinese teas can be steeped multiple times (3-5 infusions or more), with each infusion offering a different flavor profile.
  • Experiment: Adjust brewing times and tea leaf amounts based on personal preference and the specific tea variety.

By following these guidelines and experimenting with different brewing techniques, you can enjoy the rich flavors and health benefits of Chinese teas to their fullest extent.