Infusing Tea is an art, and using a glass cup allows you to admire the graceful movement of the leaves in water. Today, we'll discuss three methods of infusing tea in a glass cup to help you find the one that suits you best.

1. Top-Down Method

The top-down method is one of the most common ways to infuse tea in a glass cup, particularly suitable for green teas and flower teas. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare the Utensils: Choose a transparent glass cup so you can enjoy watching the leaves unfurl in the water.
2. Warm the Cup: Rinse the glass cup with hot water to increase its temperature, ensuring better heat retention when infusing the tea later.
3. Pour Water: Pour water at around 85°C into the glass cup, filling it up to one-third to one-half full.
4. Add Tea: Place the appropriate amount of tea leaves into the water and observe as they sink, float, and unfurl.

This method is ideal for delicate teas like Longjing and Biluochun. The initial contact with hot water helps release the aroma while avoiding the scattering of leaves caused by direct pouring of water.

2. Mid-Infusion Method

The mid-infusion method is more versatile and suitable for most types of tea, especially Oolong teas and some black teas. This method lies between the top-down and bottom-up methods. Here's how it works:

1. Prepare the Utensils: Choose a transparent glass cup to enjoy the visual experience.
2. Warm the Cup: Warm the cup with hot water to maintain consistent water temperature.
3. Add Tea: Place the tea leaves in the cup, adjusting the quantity according to your Taste.
4. Pour Water: Pour water at 85°C to 90°C into the cup, filling it about one-third full. Gently swirl to allow the leaves to absorb the water initially.
5. Refill Water: After a few seconds, slowly pour more water until the cup is seven to eight-tenths full.

The mid-infusion method releases the aroma and flavor of the tea more evenly while preventing the leaves from overheating directly.

3. Bottom-Up Method

The bottom-up method is suitable for heavily oxidized teas like Pu'er and some dark teas. This method emphasizes the rapid diffusion and settling of the leaves in hot water. Here are the steps:

1. Prepare the Utensils: Use a transparent glass cup to have a clear view of the process.
2. Warm the Cup: Rinse the glass cup with boiling water to increase its temperature.
3. Add Tea: Place the tea leaves at the bottom of the glass cup.
4. Pour Water: Slowly pour boiling water from a height into the cup to stimulate the release of aroma and flavor from the leaves.

The bottom-up method is ideal for larger-leaf teas that require high-temperature brewing. The high temperature quickly releases the aroma and flavor, creating a rich and flavorful infusion.

Tips

1. Water Quality: When infusing tea, use purified or mineral water if possible to avoid the chlorine in tap water affecting the aroma and taste of the tea.
2. Water Temperature: Different teas require different water temperatures. Generally, green teas suit 80-85°C, oolong teas 85-90°C, and Pu'er teas should be infused with boiling water at 100°C.
3. Amount of Tea: For a 150ml glass cup, use approximately 3-5 grams of tea leaves, adjusting according to your personal preference.

Conclusion

Infusing tea in a glass cup not only allows you to appreciate the clarity of the infusion and the dance of the leaves but also adds to the enjoyment of tea artistry. Whether it's the top-down, mid-infusion, or bottom-up method, each has its unique charm. Choose the one that suits you best, and make every cup of tea a delightful experience.