The day before,
a Tea that was distinctly fragrant,
when retried during the rain,
clearly felt less aromatic.
Why doesn't it smell as good as yesterday?
In fact, this is the impact of rainy weather on tea.
Why is tea less fragrant when brewed on a rainy day?
Moist air and high moisture content in tea leaves
Firstly, the humidity is higher on rainy days, making it easier for tea leaves to absorb moisture from the air, especially fresh tea. The increased moisture content leads to a dampness in the brewed tea, diminishing its aroma.
Low atmospheric pressure affects taste and smell
Secondly, many people have experienced how bland airplane meals can taste at high altitudes. This is because lower atmospheric pressure impairs our sense of taste and smell. Studies have shown that under conditions of dryness and low pressure, the sensitivity to sweetness and saltiness decreases by around 30%, while sensitivity to sourness, bitterness, and spiciness remains largely unaffected.
Therefore, not only is it humid on rainy days, but ground-level atmospheric pressure also drops, leading to differences in our perception of the tea's flavor. It may seem lighter in taste with more pronounced bitterness and astringency.
Difficulty maintaining water temperature to release tea's aroma
Lastly, for tea to release its full aroma, the water temperature needs to be sufficiently high. On rainy days, it's harder to maintain high water temperatures, which cool down faster, making it more difficult to release the tea's fragrance.
Therefore, the taste of tea brewed on a rainy day really does differ from that brewed on a clear day.
So, how can we brew better-tasting tea on rainy days?
Maintain a consistently boiling water temperature
On rainy days, the temperature is lower, and water cools down faster than usual. First, ensure a consistently boiling water temperature. Second, after warming the cup, brew the tea promptly. Avoid long intervals between infusions to prevent the tea leaves from cooling too much in the Teapot. This maximizes the release of the tea's aroma.
Brew using a clay teapot
On rainy days, using a clay teapot to brew rock tea helps retain heat and better releases the tea's aroma.
Use less tea than usual
On rainy days, tea is more affected by low atmospheric pressure, leading to a stronger astringent taste. Therefore, brewing a lighter tea infusion is recommended. Using 2-3 grams less tea than usual results in a milder and smoother taste, which may feel more comfortable.
Maintain a calm mindset
Continuous rainy weather can affect one's mood, often causing a downturn. Naturally, the tea brewed won't seem as fragrant. Thus, maintaining a calm state of mind is also very important.
Finally, Black Tea and ripe Pu'er tea are good choices to brew on rainy days.
These types of tea undergo a higher degree of fermentation, making their aromas more stable. Even in the humid conditions of rainy weather, they can still maintain their unique characteristics.
In addition, drinking some ripe Pu'er tea on rainy days can warm the body and help dispel the gloomy feelings brought about by the dampness.
If there are any copyright issues, please contact us to remove them.