Tea culture has a long history in China, and brewing tea is an art form. Whether you are a newcomer to the world of tea or a seasoned enthusiast, understanding the optimal water temperature for each type of tea can help you truly savor its flavors. Today, we'll discuss the best brewing temperatures for various types of tea, so you can brew a great cup at home.
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Green Tea: Maintain Freshness
Green tea is unfermented and retains the natural fragrance and nutritional components of the leaves. The leaves are delicate, and brewing at too high a temperature can scorch them, making the tea bitter. Generally, the optimal brewing temperature for green tea is between 80°C and 85°C. For famous teas like Longjing and Biluochun, 80°C water is very suitable for brewing.
White Tea: Low Temperature and Slow Brewing
White tea is also minimally fermented and has tender leaves, making it ideal for brewing at a lower temperature. Typically, the best brewing temperature for white tea is around 85°C. White teas such as Silver Needle and Bai Mudan can be well-infused with 85°C water, which helps to bring out their delicate aroma and flavor.
Yellow Tea: Gentle Fermentation
Yellow tea is lightly fermented, and the brewing temperature should be slightly higher but not too high. It is recommended to use water at 85°C to 90°C. Junshan Silver Needle is a typical example of yellow tea, and using water at 85°C to 90°C can fully release its fragrance without losing its fresh and tender taste.
Oolong Tea: Unique Flavor from Semi-Fermentation
Oolong tea lies between green and Black Tea, being semi-fermented, and has a unique aroma and taste. The brewing temperature for oolong tea needs to be slightly higher, generally between 90°C and 95°C. Famous oolong teas like Tieguanyin and Dahongpao are best brewed at 90°C to 95°C, which can fully release their rich aroma and flavors.
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Black Tea: High Temperature to Evoke Rich Aroma
Black tea is fully fermented and has thicker leaves, making it suitable for brewing with hot water. Generally, the optimal brewing temperature for black tea is between 95°C and 100°C. Famous black teas like Keemun and Yunnan Black are best brewed with water above 95°C, allowing you to experience their characteristic rich aroma and sweet taste.
Pu'er Tea: Temperature Adjusts with Age
Pu'er tea is divided into raw (sheng) and ripe (shou) varieties. Raw Pu'er is similar to green tea, while ripe Pu'er undergoes post-fermentation. The brewing temperature for raw Pu'er is typically between 85°C and 90°C, whereas ripe Pu'er is best brewed with water around 95°C. Pu'er tea becomes more fragrant with age, and for older Pu'er teas, the brewing temperature can be increased to fully release its rich flavor.
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Dark Tea: High Temperature to Release Mature Fragrance
Dark tea is post-fermented and is suitable for brewing with hot water, usually between 95°C and 100°C. Representative dark teas, such as Fu Brick Tea from Hunan and Border Tea from Sichuan, can be well-brewed with water above 95°C, which helps to release their mature fragrance and flavor.
Flavored Tea: Adjust Based on Base Tea
Flavored teas are often made by blending green tea, black tea, or oolong tea with flowers, so the brewing temperature should be determined based on the base tea. For example, jasmine tea, mostly based on green tea, can be brewed with water at 80°C to 85°C. Rose black tea, on the other hand, requires high-temperature brewing at 95°C.
Understanding the optimal brewing temperatures for different types of tea can enhance your enjoyment of every cup. We hope this guide will help you easily brew a great cup of tea at home, enriching your tea life.