Tea lovers, don't overlook the small step of 'awakening tea'! A quick 'awakening' can significantly enhance the quality of the tea's aroma...

First, pour warm water into the empty teapot to 'warm the pot.' This helps control the pot's temperature, preventing heat loss when adding water later.

After about a minute, open the lid and place it on the 'lid rest.' Pour water into the cups to 'warm them.' Add a small amount of hot water to 'awaken the tea.' Once the tea is properly 'awakened,' discard the water used to warm the cups. Before pouring tea into cups or serving, develop the habit of dabbing the teapot or cup on a tea towel to absorb any excess water.

Before brewing, quickly rinse the tea leaves with hot water, a step commonly called 'washing tea' or 'awakening tea.' This raises the tea's temperature, bringing the brewing water closer to the ideal temperature, and allows you to appreciate the tea's aroma and assess its quality.

Awakening methods:

1. Fragrance Sealing

After warming the pot, add the tea leaves, cover, and let the leaves steep for a minute using the pot's residual heat. This method is ideal for appreciating the tea's fragrance, especially for lightly roasted or fresh teas.

2. Warming and Moistening

After warming the pot, add the tea leaves and pour hot water in a circular motion to moisten them. Cover the pot and immediately pour out the water. This method prepares the tea for brewing by allowing it to absorb heat and moisture. It's best for heavily roasted or aged teas.