With the continuous spread of Tea knowledge, many tea lovers are increasingly fond of drinking tea. Each of the six major types of Chinese Tea has its unique style. As one of the most popular teas, black tea is almost as popular as green tea. Its sweet taste makes it a favorite among people. However, to savor the alluring flavor of black tea, one needs to pay attention to certain aspects of the brewing process. Mastering the brewing techniques is essential to create a perfect cup of tea with color, aroma, and taste.
What should you pay attention to when brewing black tea?
First, pay special attention to the amount of tea used when brewing black tea.
The amount of tea directly affects the taste of the tea infusion. To Brew a good cup of black tea, generally, 5 grams of tea is sufficient. For those who prefer a stronger brew, you can slightly increase the amount of tea; around 8 grams will result in a relatively strong infusion. However, do not use too much tea at once, as this can make the black tea and the infusion bitter.
Second, pay attention to the Steeping time when brewing black tea.
The steeping time for black tea should neither be too long nor too short. If the steeping time after brewing is too short, the tea's aroma cannot be fully released. Therefore, it is best to steep for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. With each subsequent infusion, the steeping time should be appropriately extended.
Third, prepare an appropriate amount of water when brewing black tea.
Naturally sourced mountain spring water is ideal for brewing black tea. The water in the Teapot should be heated to boiling point using clear water before brewing the black tea, which helps to fully release its aroma. The water for the tea infusion should be freshly boiled and used to fill the teapot in one go, avoiding the use of overnight water or dividing the water into two separate infusions.
Fourth, preheat the teacup before brewing black tea.
Preheating the teacup is necessary before brewing black tea, as the temperature of the prepared cups is usually low. Without preheating with hot water, the cups will absorb a lot of heat during the brewing process, easily affecting the water temperature and consequently the extraction of active compounds from the tea leaves, resulting in a less full-bodied infusion.
By paying close attention to these details when brewing black tea, the resulting infusion will have a pure color, a rich aroma, and a mellow taste. Observing these nuances will help achieve the optimal taste of black tea.