Xinyang Maojian, also known as Yu Tea, is a renowned Green Tea treasure both at home and abroad. It is celebrated for its tender shoots, fragrant aroma, and sweet taste. Its slender appearance, with shoots as fine as downy tips and a verdant color, yields a bright green infusion with a refreshing and sweet flavor that lingers long after drinking.

Maojian not only tastes delicious but is also rich in nutritional value. It contains abundant polyphenols, amino acids, vitamins, and more, offering benefits such as antioxidation, anti-aging, cholesterol reduction, and blood pressure regulation.

So, how can you brew a cup of aromatic and delicious Xinyang Maojian? Here is a detailed brewing guide for you today.

Preparation: The Three Essentials for Brewing Tea

1. Water

The water used for brewing tea should preferably be mountain spring water. Rich in minerals, it can better bring out the aroma and flavor of the tea leaves. If mountain spring water is unavailable, purified or mineral water can also be used. Avoid using tap water since the chlorine in it can affect the taste of the tea.

2. Tea Ware

The choice of tea ware can include glass cups, porcelain cups, or gaiwans, depending on personal preference. Glass cups allow for better appreciation of the tea's color and shape, while porcelain cups help retain heat and fragrance.

3. Tea Leaves

The typical brewing ratio for Xinyang Maojian is 50 milliliters of water per gram of tea. If you prefer a stronger infusion, you can adjust the amount of tea accordingly.

Brewing: Details Determine Quality

1. Warm the Cup and Awaken the Tea

Pour boiling water into the teacup and gently swirl it around to evenly heat the inside and outside of the cup, simultaneously awakening the tea leaves.

1. Add the Tea

Place the tea leaves into the teacup, typically using 50 milliliters of water per gram of tea.

1. Brew the Tea

Pour water at 80-90 degrees Celsius slowly along the side of the cup, avoiding direct contact with the tea leaves to prevent scalding them. For the first brewing, use a small amount of water just enough to moisten the leaves, then add the full amount of water.

1. Taste the Tea

After the tea has steeped, it is ready to be enjoyed. First, savor the aroma, appreciating the fresh scent of the tea, then take small sips to experience the freshness and sweetness of the infusion.

Tips

• The water temperature for brewing Xinyang Maojian should not be too high, as this can damage the nutrients and affect the taste of the tea.
• The steeping time should not be too long, ideally 3-5 minutes to avoid bitterness in the infusion.
• Each batch of tea can be brewed 3-4 times until the flavor becomes lighter.

By mastering these brewing methods, you can brew a cup of aromatic and delicious Xinyang Maojian and experience the charm of Chinese tea culture.