How to Make Tea: The Bible for Tips on the Perfect Cup

Want to get your tea right? This guide covers everything you need to know about brewing tea from water temperature to the right tools to brew tea just right.

Quick Hits

• Choosing the right tea is key; there are 6 types of tea, each with its own flavor and brewing experience.
• Water and temperature are critical for extracting the best flavors; spring water and specific temperature ranges for each type of tea are ideal.
• Loose leaf teas have a stronger flavor than tea bags, and proper measurement and steeping time enhances the overall brewing experience. For caffeinated teas, pay attention to steeping time to avoid bitterness.

Understanding Tea Types

Tea comes in many forms, many flavours and many experiences. Choosing the right type of tea is the start of your brewing journey.

Choosing the Right Tea

Choosing the right tea can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. With so many different types of tea to choose from, it’s important to consider a few factors to ensure you choose a tea that fits your taste preferences. Here are some tips to help you choose the right tea:

• Consider the type of tea: Do you want a strong black tea, a refreshing green tea, a complex oolong, or a delicate white tea? Each tea has its own unique flavor and characteristics, so think about which you like best.
• Consider the flavor: Do you like floral, fruity, or spicy notes? Black teas often have a strong, malty flavor, while green teas can be grassy or vegetal. Oolongs offer a range of flavors from floral to fruity.
• Check the caffeine content: If you’re sensitive to caffeine or want a cup before bed, green and white teas are generally lower in caffeine than black teas, making them good choices for a gentle pick-me-up.

China’s Six Major Tea Types

1. Green Tea: unfermented tea, is emerald green in color, fresh in taste, rich in tea polyphenols, catechins and other nutrients, and has antioxidant, lipid-lowering and weight-loss effects

2. Black Tea: Fully fermented tea, dark in color, bright red in soup, rich in aroma and mellow in taste. Originated from Wuyi Mountain in Fujian, China, it later spread throughout the world and became one of the most consumed teas.

3. Oolong Tea: Semi-fermented tea is between green tea and black tea, with unique Chinese characteristics. It has a strong aroma and mellow taste, and has the effects of weight loss, lipid reduction, and anti-aging.(Discover the best oolong tea: Fenghuang Dancong Tea)

4. Yellow Tea: A slightly fermented tea speciality of China, it has the characteristics of "yellow leaves and yellow soup", and tastes sweet and fresh. The main categories are yellow bud tea, yellow small tea, and yellow large tea. The representative variety is Junshan Silver Needle.

5: White Tea: Slightly fermented tea, a treasure among Chinese teas. Covered with white hairs, the tea soup is yellow-green and clear, with a light and sweet taste. It has the effects of reducing fever, reducing fire, removing dampness and eliminating toxins.

6: Dark tea:One of the six major types of tea in China, it is a post-fermented tea. The raw materials are coarse and old, including tea stems, and are made through withering, rolling, piling, and drying. The tea is mild in nature, mellow in taste, and can withstand brewing and boiling.

Essential Teaware for Brewing

The right tea set can make a big difference in the tea brewing and tea taste.

When brewing loose leaf tea, use a teapot suitable for the specific tea type. Because they allow the tea leaves to unfurl better for more flavor.

Glass cup: for green tea and yellow tea. You can see the beauty of the tea leaves unfurling and the color of the tea leaves and tea soup.

Ceramic tureen: for oolong tea, black tea and new white tea. You can see the color changes of the tea soup.（A set of Chaozhou specialty ceramic bowls）

Purple clay teapot: for oolong tea, old white tea and Dark tea. Using a purple clay pot can collect the aroma and make the tea aroma last longer.（Exclusively customized purple clay teapot engraved with your desired text）

Electric kettle, especially those with temperature control, are great for precise brewing temperature for different teas. Not only do they boil fast, they also pour accurately, making the tea making process more efficient and fun. The right tea set can make a big difference in flavor and brewing efficiency, to brew the perfect cup of tea.

Using the right tools like strainers and infusers is essential to properly steep tea, ensuring a flavorful brew.

Preparing for Brewing

Before brewing your tea, it’s essential to prepare the necessary equipment and ingredients. Here’s a checklist to ensure you’re ready:

• Tea Leaves: Choose high-quality loose leaf tea or tea bags. Loose leaf tea often provides a richer flavor, but tea bags are convenient for a quick brew.
• Teapot: Choose a teapot that suits your brewing method. Ceramic, glass or purple clay pots each have their own advantages. For example, a glass allows you to see the tea leaves unfolding, adding a visual element to your brewing experience.
• Water: Use fresh, filtered water to prevent any impurities or odors from affecting the taste of your tea. The quality of water can significantly impact the final flavor.
• Heat Source: Choose a heat source that allows you to control the temperature, such as an electric kettle with temperature settings or a thermometer. Different teas require different water temperatures for optimal brewing.
• Tea Accessories: Have a tea strainer, tea infuser, or tea ball ready to steep your tea leaves. These tools help contain the leaves while allowing them to expand fully, ensuring a better infusion.

Brewing methods for six types of tea

Tea Name	ATea adding amount	Tea to water ratio	Soaking time	suitable temperature
Green tea	3-5g	1:50	2 to 3 min	80℃~85℃
IThe most suitable tea set is a glass cup. Green tea is a kind of tea that can be viewed and tasted at the same time. After pouring water, watching the green tea leaves floating upright on the water, just like the ups and downs of life, take a sip and fully feel the freshness of green tea with your taste buds.
Black tea	3-5g	1:50	About 3 minutes	100℃
It is recommended to use purple clay tea sets or white porcelain covered bowls for brewing. When drinking, you can add milk, honey, lemon and other seasonings to enrich the taste of black tea.
White tea	3-5g	1:25	30 seconds to 1 min	85℃~90℃
It is recommended to brew new white tea with a white porcelain covered bowl, which has a large mouth and is conducive to preserving the fragrance. Old white tea is suitable for brewing with a purple clay teapot. The water temperature of old white tea should be 100℃, which fully utilizes the heat preservation properties of the purple clay teapot to allow the tea leaves to fully expand.
Oolong tea	6-8g	1:15	15-20 seconds	95℃~100℃
It is best to use a professional purple clay teapot or covered bowl cup for brewing. Oolong tea can be brewed many times. Of course, Dancong tea is the most resistant to brewing among all oolong teas.
Yellow tea	3-5g	1:50	15 seconds - 1 minute	85℃~90℃
It is also suitable for brewing in glass cups or white porcelain covered bowls. Yellow tea is delicate and tender, so do not use too much tea leaves when brewing.
Dark tea	6g	1:25	about 1 min	100℃
Dark tea generally refers to Pu'er tea. It is recommended to use a purple clay teapot or a white porcelain covered bowl when brewing. Dark tea has a rough texture and needs to be washed twice to remove impurities. Let the dark tea fully soak in boiling water to taste the rich tea aroma.

Tea Leaf Quality and Storage

The quality and storage of tea leaves can significantly impact the flavor and aroma of your tea. Here are some tips to ensure you store your tea leaves properly:

• Store Tea Leaves in a Cool, Dry Place: Avoid storing tea leaves in direct sunlight, moisture, or heat. These conditions can degrade the quality of the tea.
• Use Airtight Containers: Store tea leaves in airtight containers to prevent air, moisture, and light from affecting the tea. This helps preserve the tea’s freshness and flavor.
• Keep Tea Leaves Away from Strong-Smelling Foods: Tea leaves can absorb odors from nearby foods, so store them away from strong-smelling items like spices or coffee.
• Use Tea Leaves Within a Year: Tea leaves can lose their flavor and aroma over time, so use them within a year of opening. Proper storage can extend the shelf life, but fresher tea always tastes better.

By following these tips and techniques, you can elevate your tea brewing skills and enjoy a perfect cup of tea every time. Happy brewing!

Adding Flavor to Your Tea

Adding flavor to your tea can transform a simple cup into a delightful experience. Flavorings like honey, sugar, and mint can enhance the taste of black or green teas. Fresh lemon juice can also provide health benefits and a refreshing twist to your tea.

To add complexity, consider fruits and spices. Lemon, lime, and various fruits enhance black teas, while herbs like mint complement green teas. Combining mint with ginger creates a flavorful tea that offers digestive benefits.

Summary

In summary, mastering the art of tea brewing involves understanding different tea types, using the right teaware, and paying attention to water quality and temperature. Measuring tea leaves accurately and steeping them for the right amount of time are crucial steps in achieving the best flavor.

Experimenting with unique brewing methods and adding flavors can enhance your tea experience. Avoiding common mistakes and re-steeping tea leaves can also improve your tea brewing skills. The joy of tea brewing lies in the journey of discovery and the perfect cup of tea is within your reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best water to use for brewing tea?

The best water for brewing tea is spring water, as it enhances the flavor, while filtered water is a good second choice. Avoid tap and distilled water for the best results.

How much tea should I use per cup?

To brew the perfect cup of tea, aim for one teaspoon of tea leaves per 8 oz of water. Just remember, if you're using a fluffy tea, you might want to add a bit more!

What is the ideal water temperature for brewing green tea?

To get the best flavors from your green tea, aim for a water temperature between 175 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps prevent bitterness and lets those delicate notes shine through.

Can I re-steep my tea leaves?

Absolutely, you can re-steep your tea leaves! High-quality loose leaf teas like oolong and pu-erh can deliver great flavor even after multiple brews.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when brewing tea?

To brew the perfect cup of tea, avoid over-steeping, using the wrong teaware, and heating water in the microwave. Stick to a timer and proper infusers for a much better experience!

Finally, if you also want to experience brewing a cup of good tea by yourself, welcome to our shop to buy your favorite tea and tea sets. Our shop brings together famous teas from all over the country. Whether you like fragrant green tea, mellow black tea, sweet white tea, aged Pu'er tea, or oolong tea with natural floral and fruity aroma, this shop can meet your needs.