Preparation: Starting with the Details

The first step in brewing Tea is preparation, where details determine success. Before starting to brew tea, a tea master ensures that all tools are cleaned and prepares the required tea leaves and water. Tea utensils typically include a teapot, teacups, a tea tray, a tea strainer, and a tea tray.

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The selection of tea leaves is very important, as different teas have different brewing methods. Common types include Green Tea, Black Tea, Oolong tea, and white tea, each with its unique brewing method. The choice of water is also crucial; it is best to use purified or mineral water, resulting in clearer tea with better taste.

Warming the Utensils: Heating Up the Tea Ware

Before officially brewing tea, a tea master warms the tea utensils with hot water. Warming the utensils not only cleans them but also raises their temperature, preventing the tea from cooling down when it comes into contact with cold utensils, which could affect the aroma and taste of the tea. To warm the utensils, pour hot water into the teapot and teacups, let it sit for a moment, then discard the water.

Awakening the Tea: Reviving the Tea Leaves

Awakening the tea involves quickly rinsing an appropriate amount of tea leaves with warm water after placing them in the teapot, then quickly discarding the water. This step washes away surface dust on the leaves while allowing them to absorb water and expand, awakening the tea's fragrance. Different teas require different awakening times; generally, green tea and white tea have shorter times, while black tea and oolong tea require slightly longer times.

Brewing the Tea: Controlling Each Step

The core step in brewing tea is steeping, where controlling the water temperature and time is key. Below are brewing methods for several common types of tea:

Brewing Green Tea

Green tea is usually brewed with water around 80°C. Higher temperatures can destroy vitamins and aromas in the tea leaves, while lower temperatures prevent the full release of flavor. When brewing green tea, pour 80°C water into the teapot and steep for 1-2 minutes.

Brewing Black Tea

Black tea is suitable for brewing with water between 90°C-95°C. High temperatures fully release the sweet fragrance and rich flavor of black tea. When brewing black tea, place the leaves in the teapot, then pour in hot water and steep for 2-3 minutes.

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Brewing Oolong Tea

Oolong tea requires water between 95°C-100°C for brewing. Oolong tea has a strong aroma and can be steeped multiple times; the first steeping can be shorter, about 1 minute, the second steeping can be extended to 2 minutes, and the third steeping can be even longer.

Brewing White Tea

White tea is suitable for brewing with water around 85°C. The aroma of white tea is delicate, and the steeping time should not be too long, about 1-2 minutes. The tea soup of white tea is clear and transparent, with a natural floral fragrance and sweetness.

Tasting the Tea: Savoring Slowly

After brewing the tea, the process of tasting is equally important. When tasting tea, one should not only appreciate its aroma and taste but also observe the color and texture of the tea soup. A tea master usually starts by smelling the aroma before taking small sips, carefully experiencing the sweetness and aftertaste of the tea. Each type of tea has its unique charm, and by savoring slowly, you can more deeply appreciate the beauty of tea.

Cleanup and Maintenance: Clearing Up

After each tea brewing session, a tea master meticulously cleans and maintains the tea utensils. Tea utensils should be washed with clean water, avoiding detergents to prevent chemical residues from affecting the next brewing session. After cleaning, the utensils should be air-dried or wiped dry with a clean cloth to avoid bacterial growth in a damp environment.

Tea Brewing Tips

• The water temperature and brewing time should be flexibly adjusted according to the type of tea.
• The selection and use of tea utensils should be appropriate; good tea utensils enhance the tea brewing experience.
• Maintain a pleasant mood and a quiet environment, which helps better enjoy the process of brewing and tasting tea.

Brewing tea by a tea master is not only a skill but also a way of life. Through meticulous steps and techniques, we can brew a cup of quality tea at home and experience the beauty and joy of the tea ceremony. Hopefully, this article will help you better understand the tea brewing steps of a tea master and find your own tranquility and joy in the world of tea.