Brewing Longjing tea indeed requires some meticulous steps and techniques to ensure that its unique aroma and flavor can be fully displayed. Here is a detailed brewing guide for your reference:
1. Prepare tea sets and water quality
Tea set selection: It is recommended to use transparent glass or porcelain cups to observe the process of tea leaves spreading in water and the color of the tea soup.
Water quality requirements: It is best to use high-quality mineral water or purified water, and avoid using tap water, as impurities in tap water may affect the taste of tea soup.
2. Grasp the water temperature
Longjing tea, as a delicate green tea, should not be brewed at excessively high temperatures, generally recommended between 80-85 ° C. Excessive water temperature can damage the nutrients and aroma in tea leaves, making the tea soup bitter.
3. Tea dosage control
The amount of tea should be moderate, generally 3-5 grams of Longjing tea should be added for every 200ml of water. Excessive tea infusion can lead to overly strong tea soup, while insufficient tea infusion can result in bland tea soup.
4. Brewing steps
Upward investment method
First, pour hot water into the glass until it is about 70% full.
Then gently pour in Longjing tea leaves and wait for them to slowly sink and stretch.
After waiting for the tea leaves to fully stretch and the tea soup to become bright and clear, you can enjoy it.
Investment Law
First, pour a small amount of hot water (about one-third) into a glass, and then add Longjing tea leaves.
Gently shake the glass to allow the tea leaves to come into initial contact with water. After the tea leaves are slightly stretched, pour in the remaining hot water until it is 70% full.
After waiting for the tea leaves to fully stretch and the tea soup to become bright and clear, you can enjoy it.
Downward casting method
First, put Longjing tea leaves into a glass.
Then slowly pour hot water along the cup wall until it is 70% full, avoiding pouring it directly onto the tea leaves.
After waiting for the tea leaves to spread in the water and the tea soup to become bright and clear, you can enjoy it.
5. Precautions
When brewing Longjing tea, avoid using boiling water directly to avoid damaging the tenderness and aroma of the tea leaves.
The brewing time should not be too long, generally controlled within 1-2 minutes. Brewing for too long can make the tea soup bitter.
Before tasting, you can observe the tea leaves in the water and appreciate their graceful posture and clear tea soup.
By following the above steps and precautions, you can brew a cup of Longjing tea with a fragrant aroma and a refreshing taste. I hope this brewing guide can be helpful to you!
Tie Guan Yin and Pu erh tea, as traditional Chinese famous teas, have significant differences in multiple aspects. Below, I will elaborate on the differences between them in terms of variety, place of origin, production process, fermentation degree, appearance, aroma, taste, brewing characteristics, and preservation methods.
1. Variety and place of origin
Tie Guan Yin: belongs to the category of oolong tea (green tea), originating from Xiping Town, Anxi County, Quanzhou City, Fujian Province. Tie Guan Yin is not only a tea name, but also a tea tree variety name, famous for its unique rock rhyme and mellow taste.
Pu erh tea: belongs to the fermented tea category, mainly produced in the Pu erh area of Yunnan Province, with Menghai County, Mengla County, Pu erh County and other main production areas. Pu'er tea has formed unique quality characteristics due to its unique geographical environment and climate conditions.
2. Production process
Tie Guan Yin: The production process includes steps such as sun drying, air drying, shaking, withering, rolling, and drying. Among them, shaking is the key to forming the unique aroma and quality of Tie Guan Yin.
Pu erh tea: divided into two types: raw Pu erh and ripe Pu erh. Raw Pu erh tea is naturally fermented using sun dried green tea, while ripe Pu erh tea is artificially fermented through pile fermentation. The differences in production techniques result in significant differences in flavor and taste between the two.
3. Fermentation degree
Tie Guan Yin: belongs to semi fermented tea, with a fermentation degree between green tea and black tea, retaining a lot of the original flavor and aroma of the tea leaves.
Pu erh tea: It has a high degree of fermentation, especially ripe Pu erh. After a long period of fermentation, the tea has a milder nature and a richer taste.
4. Appearance and aroma
Tie Guan Yin: It has a tightly tied appearance, a sandy green color, and an elegant aroma after brewing, with a natural orchid or fruit fragrance.
Pu erh tea: The appearance varies depending on the degree of fermentation, with raw Pu erh tea having a dark green color and ripe Pu erh tea presenting a reddish brown color. In terms of aroma, Pu'er tea has a unique aged fragrance and aroma, which becomes increasingly rich over time.
5. Taste and brewing characteristics
Tie Guan Yin: It has a mellow and fresh taste, with a strong aftertaste and is known for its "sound and rhythm". When brewing, the aroma of Tie Guan Yin is long-lasting, the tea soup is clear and bright, and can be brewed multiple times without losing its flavor.
Pu erh tea: The taste is mellow and smooth, with a certain bitterness in raw Pu erh tea, but it quickly returns to sweetness; Ripe Pu erh has a softer taste and melts in the mouth. Pu erh tea has a high degree of steeping resistance and can be brewed multiple times, with different flavors each time.
6. Save method
Tie Guan Yin: Tie Guan Yin tea is relatively durable and can be stored in a dry, ventilated, and dark place. But to ensure the best quality, it is recommended to drink it as soon as possible.
Pu'er tea: Due to its unique fermentation characteristics, Pu'er tea has certain requirements for humidity and ventilation conditions. Usually stored in a ventilated and dry environment to facilitate further aging of tea leaves. Meanwhile, Pu'er tea has the characteristic of becoming more fragrant as it ages, so long-term storage can enhance its quality and value.
In summary, there are significant differences between Tie Guan Yin and Pu erh tea in terms of variety, origin, production process, fermentation degree, appearance, aroma, taste, brewing characteristics, and preservation methods. These differences give them unique charm and value, satisfying the taste needs of different tea lovers.
The preservation of tea is an important step in ensuring the quality and flavor of tea. Here are some key precautions for your reference:
1. Store in the dark
Reason: Ultraviolet rays in sunlight can damage the organic matter in tea leaves, reduce their quality, and cause them to lose their original color and aroma.
Measures: Containers for storing tea should be made of opaque materials, such as ceramic, purple clay, or tin tea cans, and placed in a dark place.
2. Keep it dry
Reason: Tea has strong hygroscopicity, and high environmental humidity can cause tea to become damp and moldy, seriously affecting its quality.
Measures: The place where tea is stored should be kept dry and ventilated, avoiding humid environments. At the same time, tea containers should be well sealed to prevent moisture from entering the air.
3. Avoid high temperatures
Reason: High temperature environment can accelerate the chemical reaction of tea leaves, leading to a decrease in quality.
Measures: The place where tea is stored should avoid high temperature environments, especially direct sunlight and proximity to heat sources. For certain tea leaves that require low-temperature storage, such as green tea, they can be refrigerated or frozen in the refrigerator.
4. Prevent odors
Reason: Tea is prone to absorbing odors, and contact with strongly scented items can affect the taste of tea.
Measures: When storing tea leaves, avoid contact with strongly scented items such as spices and cosmetics. It is best to store the tea leaves separately in a sealed container.
5. Regular inspections
Reason: Tea leaves stored for a long time may become damp, moldy, or lose their flavor due to environmental changes.
Measures: The condition of tea should be regularly checked, and any abnormalities should be dealt with promptly. In addition, for tea leaves that have been stored for a long time (such as Pu'er tea), the "awakening tea" method can be used, which means allowing the tea leaves to fully contact the air before drinking to awaken their aroma.
6. Classified storage
Reason: Different types of tea have different storage requirements.
Measures: Tea should be classified and stored according to its type and characteristics. For example, lightly fermented tea leaves such as green tea and light aroma oolong tea should be stored in a low-temperature environment, while fermented tea leaves such as black tea and black tea can be stored at room temperature.
7. Use appropriate containers
Recommended containers: Iron cans, ceramic cans, purple clay cans, tin tea cans, and other containers with good sealing properties.
Attention: The container should be clean, odorless, and have good sealing performance. For tea leaves that require low-temperature storage, containers such as thermos flasks or composite film bags can be used for storage.
In summary, the preservation of tea requires attention to key points such as avoiding light, drying, high temperature, odor, regular inspection, and classified storage. Following these principles can ensure the maximum preservation of tea quality and flavor.
Of course, in addition to the basic precautions mentioned earlier, here are some practical suggestions for tea preservation for your reference:
1. Diversified container selection
Metal cans: such as iron cans, stainless steel cans, etc., have good sealing and light shielding properties, suitable for storing various types of tea. Especially for newly purchased cans, it is best to clean and remove odors before use.
Ceramic jar: Beautiful and breathable, but attention should be paid to sealing. It can be used in conjunction with desiccants to enhance moisture resistance.
Purple clay pot: Due to its unique material that can maintain the aroma of tea leaves, it is suitable for storing high-end tea leaves, but moisture prevention and sealing should also be taken into account.
Tin tea cans: They have good effects on moisture resistance, oxidation resistance, light blocking, and odor prevention, but the price is relatively high.
2. Use desiccants
Putting a small packet of desiccant in a tea container can effectively absorb moisture inside the container and keep the tea leaves dry. But it is important to regularly replace the desiccant to prevent it from becoming ineffective.
3. Control environmental humidity
It is best to control the relative humidity of the tea storage space below 50% to ensure that the tea leaves will not get damp. A hygrometer can be used to monitor environmental humidity and take corresponding measures to adjust it.
4. Refrigerate or freeze storage
For tea leaves that require low-temperature storage (such as green tea), they can be stored in the refrigerator's refrigerated or freezer compartment. However, it is important to seal the tea leaves properly to prevent any odors in the refrigerator from affecting the quality of the tea.
5. Regular inspection and flipping
Regularly check the condition of the tea leaves, and promptly address any signs of moisture, mold, or discoloration. Meanwhile, regularly flipping the tea leaves can prevent them from clumping and keep them dry.
6. Classified storage
Classify and store tea according to their types and characteristics to avoid mutual influence between different types of tea. For example, store green tea separately from black tea to prevent the aroma of black tea from affecting green tea.
7. Awakening Tea Techniques
For tea leaves that have been stored for a long time (such as Pu'er tea), the method of "waking up the tea" can be used before drinking. Take out an appropriate amount of tea leaves and place them in a ventilated and dry environment, allowing them to fully contact the air and awaken their dormant aroma. This not only improves the quality of tea leaves, but also makes the tea soup more mellow and delicious.
By following the above practical suggestions, you can better preserve tea leaves and maintain their original quality and flavor.
