Pu'er tea, as a treasure of Chinese tea culture, has a long history and excellent quality. Many tea lovers have a soft spot for Pu-erh tea, but in order to taste a good cup of Pu-erh tea, brewing skills are very crucial. Below, we will give you a detailed introduction to the three key points of brewing Pu-erh tea to help you brew a delicious cup of Pu-erh tea with ease.
1. Choose the right tea set and water quality.
When brewing Pu'er tea, the first thing to do is to choose the right tea utensils and water quality. For tea sets, it is recommended to choose a purple clay pot or a gaiwan, both of which can well preserve the aroma and taste of Pu'er tea. At the same time, the purple clay pot also has a unique air permeability, which can allow the tea to better play its own characteristics.
For water quality, it is recommended to use mountain spring water or purified water. Avoid using tap water, as impurities and odors contained in tap water may affect the taste of Pu-erh tea.
2. Master the correct amount of tea and brewing time.
The amount of tea and the brewing time are two key factors in brewing Pu'er tea. Too much tea will cause the tea soup to be too strong, and too little tea will make the tea soup appear weak. Generally speaking, the amount of tea should be controlled between 1 3 and 1 2 of the pot capacity. Of course, it can also be adjusted appropriately according to personal taste.
The brewing time also needs to be mastered properly. When brewing for the first time, it is recommended to pour boiling water into the pot and pour it out immediately, which will remove dust and impurities from the surface of the tea leaves. For the second brew, the steeping time can be slightly longer to allow the tea leaves to fully unfold. After that, the steeping time can be adjusted according to personal taste, and gradually extended.
3. Control the water temperature and fully wake up the tea.
Water temperature is crucial for the brewing of Pu-erh tea. Too high a water temperature will make the tea bitter, and too low a water temperature will not be able to fully extract the active ingredients in the tea leaves. Generally speaking, the water temperature of brewing Pu-erh tea should be controlled between 90 and 95. If the tea leaves are newer or more tender, the water temperature can be lowered appropriately;If the tea leaves are older or coarser and harder, the water temperature can be increased appropriately.
During the brewing process, the tea also needs to be fully awakened. Awakening tea refers to allowing the tea leaves to fully contact with water, thereby awakening the intrinsic quality of the tea leaves. The purpose of waking up the tea can be achieved by brewing it multiple times and stirring it properly. Waking up tea can not only make the taste of Pu'er tea more mellow, but also better show the aroma and taste of Pu'er tea.
In short, in order to brew a good cup of Pu'er tea, you need to choose the right tea utensils and water quality, master the correct amount and brewing time, control the water temperature and fully awaken the tea. Hopefully, the above three points will help you better experience and feel this treasure of Chinese tea culture in the process of drinking Pu'er tea.