Many people, whether they have been to Hunan or not, have heard of Anhua Dark Tea—a tea that can be cherished for a long time and ferments over time.

The tea is a spiritual thing; the water and soil of a region nurture its tea, which best represents local characteristics. The essence of Hunan's mountains, waters, sun, and moon are all condensed within these serene Anhua dark tea bricks.

Keeping some dark tea at home means you don't need to worry about it spoiling over time. Dark tea can be preserved for a long period. Whenever you feel like drinking it, simply open it up and Brew. That cup of tea will instantly go from your tongue to your heart.

Below, we will guide you through the moments of enjoying Anhua Dark Tea once again.

Step One

Scald the Cup with Boiling Water

First, pour boiling hot water over the tea utensils and let them sit for one minute. If you're in an office, fill a cup with hot water to warm it up. This ensures the tea infuses properly at an appropriate temperature. Especially during cold winter days, using cold utensils to brew tea would cause the leaves to contract rapidly upon contact with hot water, losing their original aroma. This step also helps to awaken the tea before brewing.

Step Two

Soak for Ten Seconds

Place the tea leaves into the cup and pour in enough boiling water to cover about three mouthfuls. Let the tea soak for 10-30 seconds to become moist and remove any dust or impurities. Discard this water and refill with hot water.

Step Three

The First Few Infusions Should Be Light

“Light drinking” means not Steeping the tea for too long during the first two to three infusions, as this can make the tea too strong and affect its taste. About 60-70% of the nutrients in the tea are released during the initial steeping, along with Caffeine and other compounds. Drinking too much of the concentrated brew may not be beneficial to health. However, if you prefer strong tea, you can disregard this advice.

After following these three steps, the tea is now fully brewed. You can continue to brew subsequent infusions with confidence. As the saying goes, “The first infusion is for water, the second for tea, and the third and fourth infusions are where the essence lies.” To truly appreciate something, one must grasp its essence. Brewing tea is no different; only by cherishing it can one carefully understand and discover its best qualities.

Those who frequently drink Anhua Dark Tea often experience this: “You don't know what you're missing until you try it, and then you can't live without it.” Once you start drinking Anhua Dark Tea, you'll be captivated by its mysterious charm and find other teas unsatisfying in comparison.

If you go a day without drinking Anhua Dark Tea, you might feel restless. What do you do when you can't resist? Try the “three-step process”!