When drinking dark Tea daily, how should you choose the tea leaves, utensils, water for brewing, amount of tea, water temperature, and infusion time? This article is for reference only.

I. Select High-Quality Tea Leaves

Dark tea has a long history in China. For centuries, it has been the “drink of life” for ethnic minorities in the northwest. There, they say, “Better three days without food than one day without tea.” In Japan, it is known as the “slimming tea,” and in South Korea, it is called the “beauty tea.” Today, it is the “healthy drink” of choice for Chinese people and is enjoyed by people all over the world.

Anhua dark tea contains components that have medicinal effects on the human body. Generally, high-quality tea leaves contain more of these components, leading to better Health benefits.

High-quality Anhua dark tea has a tight, straight shape, with tender leaves and a lustrous black color. Its aroma is full-bodied with a smoky scent, and its liquor is orange-yellow. The infused leaves are yellowish-brown.

Newly produced Anhua dark tea has a strong flavor and a dominant character, with a bitter taste that turns sweet afterward. Aged Anhua dark tea has a mellow, aged aroma, a bright liquor, and a smooth taste. One pot of tea can be steeped dozens of times without losing its color.

II. Choose Suitable Utensils for Brewing

Today, tea utensils typically refer to Teapots, cups, bowls, and cups with covers used for drinking tea.

In addition to these commonly used utensils, there are also complementary items such as a tray for placing the Teapot, a tea towel for wiping, a tea knife for cutting tea cakes, a tray for placing cups, and cup holders.

Anhua dark tea is generally best brewed using Yixing clay or Jingdezhen porcelain ware. If these are not available, other containers can be used instead.

III. Pay Attention to the Quality of Water Used

In ancient times, people chose water for tea based on its liveliness, sweetness, clarity, and lightness. Natural water sources like spring water, river water, well water, rainwater, and snowmelt are commonly used for brewing tea. Tap water is purified natural water. Tap water often has a strong chlorine odor, which can be reduced by storing the water in a container for 24 hours before boiling and using it for tea. Nowadays, commercially available purified water is free from impurities and has a neutral pH. Using this type of water results in clear, transparent tea liquor with pure fragrance and taste, free from any odd flavors, and is fresh and refreshing.

IV. Mind the Amount of Tea and Water Used

The amount of tea used each time primarily depends on the type of tea and the size of the tea vessel. Secondly, it also relates closely to the drinking habits and age group of the consumer.

When drinking Anhua dark tea, use 5-10 grams per cup. If using a teapot, adjust the amount according to the capacity of the teapot, usually half or more. Rinse the tea with hot water first to remove any dust and chill, which will enhance the flavor when brewing.

V. Pay Attention to the Water Temperature for Brewing Dark Tea

To boil water for brewing tea, use a strong flame until it reaches a rolling boil, which is ideal for the best flavor and aroma. When brewing Anhua dark tea, use 100-degree Celsius boiling water due to the large amount of tea used and its coarse texture. Sometimes, to maintain and increase the water temperature, preheat the tea utensils with boiling water and pour hot water over the outside of the teapot after brewing. For the compressed teas consumed by ethnic minorities, even higher temperatures are required, often involving breaking up the tea bricks and simmering them. The aromatic compounds in dark tea can only be released at higher water temperatures. If the water temperature is not sufficient, the tea will lack the desired fragrance and flavor.

VI. Mind the Length of Infusion Time

The length of infusion time should be adjusted so that the concentration of the tea liquor suits the drinker's taste. Generally speaking, when drinking Anhua dark tea, the infusion time should be short, around 2 minutes. The tea can be brewed 5-7 times, and with each subsequent brewing, the infusion time should be extended slightly. When brewing, add a small amount of hot water first to cover the tea leaves, then fill the vessel to about 70-80% full. Drink while hot. When the cup is about one-third empty, refill with hot water for a second infusion, and continue to do so until the cup is one-third empty again for the third infusion. This method ensures a consistent flavor throughout the infusions. Because small Yixing clay pots are often used for drinking Anhua dark tea, the amount of tea used is larger and the infusion time shorter. For the first infusion, steep for 1 minute before pouring out. Starting from the second infusion, gradually increase the Steeping time by 15-30 seconds to ensure consistency in flavor between infusions.

Tea has quality characteristics related to color, aroma, taste, and appearance. To fully enjoy the flavor of Anhua dark tea, drink it while it is still hot, ideally when the tea liquor is around 50 degrees Celsius. This is the best time to savor the taste and to make the most of the effective components in the tea, enhancing the health benefits and value of drinking it.

If a cup of dark tea is not drunk immediately after brewing, the aroma will dissipate over time, and the color and taste of the tea liquor will darken and change. Therefore, Anhua dark tea is best enjoyed soon after brewing.

VII. What is the Best Time to Drink Dark Tea?

Drinking dark tea in the evening warms the stomach and aids digestion. Drinking tea around 8:30 PM can help repair and restore the immune system and promote cell regeneration, which is beneficial for overall health. However, many people worry that drinking tea at night may affect their sleep. In this case, dark tea is a good choice because it is relatively mild and does not interfere with sleep quality. After meals, especially dinner, the body accumulates some fatty substances in the digestive system. Drinking dark tea after dinner helps break down these fats, warming the stomach and aiding digestion. Generally, choosing Hunan Anhua dark tea is considered authentic.