Those who have tasted Biluochun will sincerely praise its subtle green color, soft and even leaf base, elegant fragrance, and refreshing taste. Biluochun is one of the representative products of Green Tea, and the components of Biluochun Tea have various physiological and pharmacological effects on the human body. So how should Biluochun be brewed?

How to Brew Biluochun Tea for Optimal Flavor

1. Preparation method for loose-leaf tea

1. Scald the cup by pouring in freshly boiled water to clean the cup, then place the tea leaves into the cup. At this point, the temperature of the cup is high enough to gently release the aroma of the tea.

2. Pour an appropriate temperature of water into the cup, enough to cover the tea leaves. If using a lidded bowl, place the lid upside down on the side of the cup and pour water over it, allowing it to run down the side of the cup. If using a glass cup, pour along the edge of the glass and gently swirl the cup to fully immerse the tea leaves.

3. Wait for about two minutes to allow the dry tea to absorb water and unfurl, then top up with water. The method of adding water is the same as before; at this point, the Biluochun tea leaves will have naturally unfurled in the cup.

2. Preparation method for tightly rolled tea

1. After scalding the cup, first pour an appropriate temperature of water into the cup, then add the tea leaves without covering them.

2. Once the tea has cooled to a drinkable temperature (45-55°C is ideal for both drinking and smelling), you can start tasting the tea. If using a glass cup, you can gauge the temperature by holding the cup; if using a lidded bowl, slightly pour out some tea onto the back of your hand to check the temperature.

3. When there's about one-third of the tea left in the cup, you can refill it with more water.

How to Distinguish Genuine from Fake Biluochun

Genuine Biluochun refers specifically to Dongting Biluochun. There are many other Biluochun teas available on the market today, which were once distinguishable by sight, but now it's much harder. Some Biluochun from Sichuan, Zhejiang, and other regions use tea-making techniques learned from tea farmers in Dongshan and Xishan in Suzhou, so the level of imitation is quite high.

To distinguish genuine from fake Biluochun, the main method is “infusion testing,” which involves brewing and tasting the tea. Authentic Biluochun has a slightly sweet taste, while Biluochun from other regions tends to be “astringent and bitter.” This is the most effective way to tell the difference between genuine and fake Biluochun.

In the past, people would put the tea in water and see if it immediately sank to the bottom of the cup to determine authenticity, but this was only true for real Biluochun. Nowadays, imitators use the same preparation methods as the tea farmers in Dongshan and Xishan, so this method is no longer reliable.

Method to Distinguish Fresh from Old Biluochun

Fresh tea refers to newly released or current-year tea, with the earliest and freshest being the best. Old tea refers to tea that has been stored for 1-2 years or more.

The above is an introduction to the optimal brewing method for premium-grade Dongting Biluochun. Only by mastering the correct brewing method can one truly appreciate the authentic flavor and enjoyment of premium-grade Dongting Biluochun!