The water temperature for brewing Pu'er Tea is 100°C; a lower temperature results in a bland taste and fails to extract the inner qualities of the tea. At 100°C, the flavor and aroma can be maximally released. Before brewing, prepare 8g of Pu'er tea and a lidded bowl. Rinse the tea utensils with boiling water, place the tea leaves in the lidded bowl, and Brew them with 100°C water. After pouring the water, let it steep for about 5 seconds before serving.

How to Control the Water Temperature When Brewing Yunnan Pu'er Tea

The brewing of Yunnan Pu'er tea requires a higher water temperature than most other teas. Some books and articles even recommend using 100°C water to brew Yunnan Pu'er tea.

Once the water for brewing tea is determined, the release of the tea's “true flavor” relies entirely on the water temperature, hence the saying “water is the mother of tea.” The brewing of Yunnan Pu'er tea demands a higher water temperature than most other teas, and some literature suggests using 100°C water. However, the water temperature for brewing Yunnan Pu'er tea is not always the higher, the better. We advocate high-temperature rinsing and brewing of Yunnan Pu'er tea from a hygiene perspective of “high-temperature sterilization.” The principle of brewing Yunnan Pu'er tea is “gentle brewing for young leaves, hot brewing for older leaves.” Young buds have thinner cuticle and wax layers, making them more susceptible to damage, which causes cell walls to rupture and cell fluids to leak out. Nutrients in young leaves dissolve and transform quickly, so it is advisable to use a slightly lower water temperature, around 80-85°C (when the water has just stopped boiling), when brewing young Yunnan Pu'er tea. On the other hand, Yunnan Pu'er tea made from coarser, older leaves has thicker cuticle and wax layers, making it harder for cell walls to rupture and cell fluids to leak out. Nutrients in these leaves dissolve and transform slowly, so they are best brewed at a higher temperature, around 90-100°C. Yunnan Pu'er tea made from leaves with one bud and three or four leaves, or containing a significant amount of stems, can also be boiled and drunk immediately, in addition to being brewed with boiling water.

Pu'er Tea Brewing Method

1. First, rinse the tea utensils with boiling water. This primarily serves to warm the Teapot and cups and also cleans the utensils. Then, add the tea leaves.

2. Place the Pu'er tea leaves in a filter cup, using about 8g (the amount can be adjusted based on personal preference for stronger or lighter tea).

3. Pour boiling water into the filter cup, covering the tea leaves.

4. After a moment, remove the filter cup and discard the first infusion of tea water.

5. Pour boiling water into the filter cup again, covering the tea leaves, and cover the cup. Let it sit for about 5-10 seconds.

7. Open the cup lid, invert it, and remove the filter cup, letting any remaining tea juice drip into the lid.

For brewing Pu'er tea, it is recommended to pour out the tea quickly. For the first five infusions, steep for 5-7 seconds, then 7-10 seconds for the sixth and subsequent infusions. After ten infusions, you can extend the Steeping time as needed to maintain a consistent flavor. As the number of infusions increases, the steeping time can gradually be extended, but the specific steeping time should be adjusted based on the concentration of the tea broth. Some Pu'er teas take longer to release their rich, fragrant flavors, requiring two to three infusions. Pu'er tea is more durable than most other teas, capable of being infused over 10 to 20 times until the broth becomes very light.