Pu'er Tea is a type of tea that undergoes special processing, giving it unique flavors and nutritional value. To ensure each cup of Pu'er tea retains its distinctive character and taste, brewing it correctly is essential. Below are some steps for brewing Pu'er tea, hoping to help tea enthusiasts better appreciate its nuances.

Preparation

1. Select the right Teaware. For Pu'er tea, it's best to use Yixing clay pots or ceramic pots as these can better maintain water and infusion temperature and aid in the fermentation of the Pu'er tea. Additionally, choose cups suitable for tea tasting, preferably transparent glass or ceramic cups, which allow for better observation of the tea's color and clarity.

2. Prepare the Pu'er tea leaves. Choose good quality Pu'er tea leaves that are fresh, dry, and well-stored, avoiding those that are too old or have off odors. Note that different Pu'er teas have different brewing methods, so the approach should be determined based on the variety and grade of the tea.

3. Prepare clean water. For Pu'er tea, water at a temperature between 80°C and 90°C is ideal for brewing. Water that is too hot or too cold can affect the taste and aroma of the tea. It's also recommended to filter the water to ensure it is clean and pure.

Brewing Process

1. Pre-warm the teaware. Before brewing Pu'er tea, preheat the teaware with hot water. This helps maintain the temperature of both the teaware and the tea infusion, preventing the tea from cooling down too quickly.

2. Add tea. Place an appropriate amount of Pu'er tea leaves into the Teapot. Generally, use about 3-5 grams of Pu'er tea per 100 milliliters of water. For some fresh Pu'er teas, a “revitalization” process may be needed, where the tea is mixed with cold water and steeped for 20 seconds before discarding the water and then brewing with hot water. This helps activate the tea's aroma and flavor.

3. Rinse the tea leaves. Rinse the tea leaves with hot water to remove impurities and dust, making them cleaner. This step is typically done twice: after the first rinse, discard the water, and for the second rinse, let the tea leaves fully unfurl by allowing them to sit for a moment.

4. Pour water. Add an appropriate amount of hot water, generally using 100 milliliters as a serving size, adjusting according to the size of the teapot and the desired amount of tea. When pouring water, avoid directly pouring over the tea leaves; instead, pour around the edge of the teapot. After a short wait, pour the tea into a pitcher and then into tasting cups to enjoy.