As one of the six major types of tea, black tea is characterized by its unique sweet and mellow flavor. brewing black tea also requires specific methods. First, prepare appropriate tea ware such as a white porcelain Gaiwan (110 ml), a fairness Cup, and teacups. Rinse them with boiling water to clean and warm them up before placing the black tea in the gaiwan. Then pour boiling water over the tea, infusing it in a circular motion. After a brief pause, quickly pour out the tea liquor to drink.

Brewing Tips for Black Tea

1. Pour fresh cold water into a kettle and bring it to a boil: Fresh cold water contains ample air which can fully release the aroma of black tea. Water that has been reheated or left overnight is unsuitable for brewing black tea.

2. When pouring boiling water, make sure to preheat the cups and teaware to avoid significant changes in temperature that would prevent the full expression of the tea's fragrance.

3. The amount of tea used is crucial for brewing a delicious cup of black tea. For the best flavor, the tea should occupy about one-third of the gaiwan, allowing the sweet and mellow taste of the black tea to be fully appreciated and enjoyed with each subsequent infusion.

4. Pour boiling water over the tea in the pot. After the water reaches a rolling boil, wait for 30 seconds until the bubbles form the size of a coin, which is the ideal time to Brew black tea.

5. The steeping time for black tea can vary based on personal preference, generally starting from 5-6 seconds and increasing incrementally with each subsequent infusion.

6. Pour the brewed tea liquor into your preferred teacup. Teacups are typically shallow at the bottom and wider at the top, allowing the drinker to enjoy both the aroma and the beautiful color of the tea.

7. You can add Sugar, milk, or salt to your black tea according to your taste preferences, enhancing its rich layers of flavor.

The Optimal Brewing Method for Black Tea

1. Prepare the Tea Ware

Before brewing black tea, ensure you have all the necessary tea ware ready to use, avoiding any rush or fuss.

First, prepare a white porcelain gaiwan with a capacity not too large; around 110 ml is ideal.

Second, gather a fairness cup, a tea strainer, tasting cups (teacups), and a tea towel.

Lastly, take 5 grams of black tea from the tea bag and set it aside for use.

2. Warm and Clean the Tea Ware

Warming and rinsing the teaware is an essential step when brewing black tea.

Fill a kettle with an appropriate amount of mountain spring water or purified water and heat it to a boil.

Once boiled, pour the hot water into the gaiwan to rinse it once, then pour the water into the fairness cup and teacups, and finally discard it.

This step not only cleans the teaware but also raises its temperature, helping to fully release the color, aroma, and flavor of the black tea.

3. Add the Tea

The amount of tea added varies depending on the size of the teaware.

For example, when making a cup of tea, more sugar is needed for a larger cup, while less is required for a smaller one. The same principle applies to brewing black tea. However, the size of the gaiwan used is generally limited, with 110 ml being optimal.

For a 110 ml gaiwan, using 5 grams of tea provides a balanced flavor that suits most people's tastes.

With this understanding, simply place the black tea in the gaiwan.

(Note: When preparing tea, use tea ware whenever possible to avoid direct contact with the leaves.)

4. Pour Water

Lift the kettle and pour water along the edge of the gaiwan in a circular motion. This method is key to brewing a good cup of black tea.

Pour the water slowly and steadily in a circular motion, allowing it to gently soak every strand of tea.

Maintain a uniform speed while pouring until the gaiwan is full, then set down the kettle.

5. Pour Out the Tea

The key to pouring out the tea from a gaiwan is speed.

A slow pour will result in a too concentrated tea. After setting down the kettle, close the lid of the gaiwan and pour out the tea.

Tilt the gaiwan to pour the tea liquor into the fairness cup evenly.

In particular, for the first three infusions, pour out the tea as quickly as possible, typically within 5 seconds. After the third infusion, you can let the tea sit in the gaiwan for a slightly longer period, gradually increasing the steeping time by 5-15 seconds, for example:

Third infusion: 5 seconds. Fourth infusion: 10 seconds. Fifth infusion: 15 seconds.

Finally, pour the tea liquor from the fairness cup into the tasting cups. Savor the aroma, observe the color, and taste the flavors, enjoying each sip of the fragrant tea.