The method of brewing tea differs according to the specific tea and cultural practices. Western and Eastern methods of brewing tea differ greatly. Good teas deserve perfect brewing, while poor tea preparation will cause bad experiences and disappointment. That is why you need a few basics so as not to spoil your relationship with this delicious drink.
Any reliable tea supplier will give you their guidance on how to get the best out of the tea leaf, although everyone should experiment according to their personal preferences. If you prefer strong teas, increase the water temperature, the amount of dry tea, or the brewing time. If you prefer delicate teas, use a lower water temperature, a smaller amount of dry leaves, or a shorter infusion time.
A tea specialist’s recommendations on the package are based not only on generally recognised rules, but also on thorough tea tastings that reveal many of the nuances of a particular tea. The cultivar, growing conditions, processing methods and the skills of the tea master all contribute to the final product. By analysing these factors, a tea connoisseur can determine the best brewing method for each tea, ensuring that it reaches its full potential.
How to brew a teapot of good tea (Western style)
- Measure out the right amount of dry tea leaves.
- Heat fresh, filtered water to the right temperature.
- Preheat your teapot with hot water; discard the water.
- Put the measured amount of tea leaves into the teapot.
- Brew the tea with the right amount of water at the right temperature.
- Set the timer.
- When the time is up, pour every last drop of tea from the teapot into your cup.
The quality of the tea
Choose a high-quality tea that is more complex and deeper in flavour. It brings out different notes, ranging from floral and fruity to earthy and nutty. The taste lingers on the palate, allowing you to savour it long after you have finished your cup. The less broken the leaf is, the more flavours it preserves. Infuse your teas several times: most loose leaf teas are crafted for multiple infusions and often start developing their full flavour during the second or third steeping.
The right water
Water plays an essential part in making your cup of high-quality tea perfect. It can spoil everything, or it can bring out the best flavours of your tea leaves. The water for tea should be fresh, soft, filtered and with a neutral pH level, neither acidic nor alkaline. Avoid using reboiled water – it loses oxygen and changes the composition, which leads to flat, bitter and unpleasant taste in the tea. It is ideal to install a water filter under the sink, which provides the cleanest and softest water.
The right water temperature
Different types of tea require different water temperatures. Use a thermometer or kettle with temperature control to ensure accuracy. You can experiment by adding cold filtered water to the boiling water to cool it down. In this case, use a thermometer the first few times to set the right temperature.
There is no unique guideline for the infusion of teas. Even within one category, each tea is brewed in its own way. In general, green teas need cooler water of 75–80°C, except for some Japanese teas, which require 40–60°C. White teas can be brewed at 80 to 90°C, oolongs at 80–95°C, depending on the level of oxidation. Black teas and pu’er teas are brewed at 95–100°C, although there are exceptions, e.g. Darjeeling First Flush black tea should be brewed at max. 85°C.
The appropriate leaf-to-water ratio
Water plays an essential part in making your cup of high-quality tea perfect. It can spoil everything, or it can bring out the best flavours of your tea leaves. The water for tea should be fresh, soft, filtered and with a neutral pH level, neither acidic nor alkaline. Avoid using reboiled water – it loses oxygen and changes the composition, which leads to flat, bitter and unpleasant taste in the tea. It is ideal to install a water filter under the sink, which provides the cleanest and softest water.
Infusion time
Use the timer to control the intensity of the infusion. Once the steeping time is over, pour your tea to the last drop into a cup or remove the tea leaves from the teapot to stop the infusion process and avoid unpleasant bitterness and strong astringency. The brewing time depends heavily on the type of tea and also on your preferences. We recommend following the tea supplier’s instructions as a basis, but experiment to make your own ideal cup of tea.
