Yunnan White Tea is favored by consumers for its fresh, fragrant, and sweet taste.

This article summarizes common brewing methods for Yunnan white Tea. By highlighting the key points and precautions for different brewing methods, it provides a reference guide for brewing Yunnan white tea, offering a comprehensive understanding to both professionals and consumers.

Common brewing methods are suitable for Yunnan white tea, such as brewing in a Gaiwan, a purple clay pot, Steeping, cooking, roasting, and cold brewing. During the brewing process, it's important to control the amount of tea based on the brewing vessel to achieve a good cup of white tea.

Under similar conditions, the amount of Yunnan white tea should be less than that of Pu'er tea; adjust the brewing time according to taste preference; use less tea when steeping compared to regular brewing; when cooking or roasting white tea using ethnic minority clay pots, pay attention to the amount of tea to prevent an overly strong infusion.

#1

Gaiwan Brewing of Yunnan White Tea

THE BREWING METHODS OF YUNNAN WHITE TEA

When brewing Yunnan white tea with a gaiwan, focus on three core elements: tea-to-water ratio, water temperature, and steeping time.

To brew white tea in a gaiwan, first choose an appropriate amount of tea based on the gaiwan's capacity. It's recommended to record the amount of tea used each time and adjust until you find the “best brewing point” for the optimal tea-to-water ratio.

In general, the tea-to-water ratio for brewing Yunnan white tea should be smaller than that of Pu'er tea. For example, if 8 grams of tea is typically used for a gaiwan of Pu'er tea, reduce the amount to 5 grams for Yunnan white tea, aiming for a ratio of about 1:25. Secondly, pay attention to the water temperature, which can vary based on the age and texture of the leaves. Older and firmer leaves can be brewed with hotter water, such as Moonlight White and Yunshou. Looser and finer leaves require slightly cooler water, like White Dragon Whiskers and Yun Baihao.

The purpose of gaiwan brewing is to enjoy the flavors at different stages of brewing, so the steeping time should not be too long. Each pour should be timed reasonably to avoid overly concentrated infusions. A porcelain gaiwan can effectively showcase the characteristics and quality of white tea, making it ideal for tasting and evaluating teas.

#2

Purple Clay Pot Brewing of Yunnan White Tea

THE BREWING METHODS OF YUNNAN WHITE TEA

Brewing with a purple clay pot is a common method for Yunnan white tea. Purple clay pots have good breathability and heat retention, and choosing a high-quality one can enhance the unique flavor of the tea.

Due to the larger size of loose-leaf Yunnan white tea, select a pot with a wide opening and a larger body when brewing with a purple clay pot. This allows the tea to fully expand and mix well with the water, resulting in a satisfying infusion.

Additionally, a purple clay pot is an ideal vessel for brewing aged white tea. Techniques like pouring water over the pot help maintain a consistent temperature throughout the brewing process, allowing the flavors of the aged white tea to release more evenly.

Adjust the tea-to-water ratio, water temperature, and steeping time based on the number of people drinking, the age and texture of the tea, and personal preferences for the strength of the infusion.

#3

Steeping Yunnan White Tea

THE BREWING METHODS OF YUNNAN WHITE TEA

Steeping is a brewing method that effectively showcases the advantages of Yunnan white tea. Typically done using a thermos or a specialized steeping pot, simply add tea and water, then steep for a period to obtain a cup of white tea. It's simple and convenient, suitable for various scenarios such as the office, meals, and outdoor activities.

When steeping, adjust the amount of tea added; do not use too much. Excessive tea will result in an overly concentrated infusion after prolonged steeping, affecting the taste.

Generally, steep Yunnan white tea using a tea-to-water ratio of 1:200 (for reference), adjusting based on the product's characteristics or personal taste. Yunnan white tea, rich in substances, is suitable for extended steeping. After a long steeping period, the release of internal substances is higher, resulting in a more complex and full-bodied flavor that highlights the unique characteristics of Yunnan white tea.

#4

Cooking Yunnan White Tea

THE BREWING METHODS OF YUNNAN WHITE TEA

Cooking is another brewing method for Yunnan white tea. Cooking enhances the release of flavors, producing an infusion with significantly different and more complex tastes compared to regular brewing.

Before cooking, pre-soak the tea once or twice in a gaiwan to wake up the leaves, then transfer them to a cooking vessel and add water. Generally, tea cooked in cold water has better sweetness than hot water. Hot water requires a shorter cooking time, around 10 minutes, while cold water takes about 20 minutes.

It's recommended to choose relatively older leaf material for cooking. Finer and more delicate Yunnan white teas may develop a cooked flavor when cooked, not providing the best drinking experience.

#5

Roasting Yunnan White Tea

THE BREWING METHODS OF YUNNAN WHITE TEA

Roasting tea is an important tradition among ethnic minorities in Yunnan, practiced by the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Dai, and Bulang peoples. Yunnan white tea can also be enjoyed through this traditional method, creating a unique brewing experience.

To roast Yunnan white tea, heat a coarse clay pot made by ethnic minorities over charcoal. Add an appropriate amount of white tea and gently shake the pot. As the tea heats up, it releases fragrance. Continue shaking until the tea becomes slightly scorched, then pour in hot water. Once it boils again, it's ready to serve.

The amount of tea used for roasting should not be excessive. Focus during the roasting process and monitor the tea closely to avoid burning and ensure a pleasant infusion.

Roasting is a highly engaging brewing method for Yunnan white tea. Gathering around a fire to roast tea offers a rich cultural experience typical of ethnic minorities.

Cold Brewing: Cold brewing Yunnan white tea involves steeping the tea in cold water for an extended period to extract its internal substances, resulting in a refreshingly sweet infusion.

Cold-brewed white tea can be prepared similarly to cold-brew coffee, using ice to gradually extract the flavors, or by placing the tea in a sealed container and refrigerating it. Cold-brewed white tea has a light, sweet taste and a refreshing mouthfeel, making it an excellent beverage for hot weather.

Cold-brewing Yunnan white tea can involve pre-soaking the tea or extending the steeping time to ensure adequate extraction. Finer and more delicate leaves are particularly suitable for cold brewing.

Originally published in Puer Magazine

February 2025 Issue

Written by Cha Shi'en | Illustrations by Fish Sauce

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