Some Tea enthusiasts use a Gaiwan to brew dragon pearls, but as they are tightly bound, they can take a long time to open up. Over-Steeping them can easily spoil the flavor. Others have resorted to poking holes or crushing them by hand, trying various methods but still struggling to properly brew these small dragon pearls. So, how should Pu'er dragon pearls be brewed?

brewing Method for Dragon Pearl Tea

1. It's best to preheat the brewing vessel with hot water before adding the dragon pearl tea. Once the temperature has risen, place the prepared dragon pearl tea into the Teaware.

2. For the first infusion, use just enough water to cover the tea leaves and gently swirl them around. Discard the tea liquor within 10 seconds, then add more water. The tea will be ready in about 30 seconds.

3. When only two-thirds of the tea liquor is left, promptly add more water. Each portion of dragon pearl tea can be re-infused 7 to 8 times, with longer steeping times required for later infusions.

Brewing Techniques for Pu'er Dragon Pearl Tea

The first two infusions require a slower extraction time since the tea leaves are tightly wrapped in a spherical shape. It's recommended to allow more time for steeping.

This helps the leaves to unfurl and prepares the tea for subsequent infusions.

For infusions three to five, as the leaves have gradually opened, the extraction time should be faster than the initial infusions.

After the tenth infusion of Pu'er dragon pearls, you can allow them to steep a bit longer before pouring out the tea liquor. A suggested steeping time of over 20 seconds can help prevent the tea from being too light and lacking in flavor.

The optimal flavor profile of the tea liquor is subjective and largely depends on personal preference. There are no strict rules regarding what constitutes a good brew. Adjustments can be made based on individual preferences and the specific characteristics of the tea.