When brewing Pu-erh tea, connoisseurs often use professional tea sets and follow a step-by-step process, resulting in an aromatic brew, but the procedure is lengthy and complicated. On the other hand, casual drinkers might simply break the tea leaves into small pieces, put them in a cup, pour in hot water, and drink it throughout the day. This method greatly diminishes the tea's flavor, making the broth weak and leaving a poor tea-drinking experience.

Everything in the world requires a proper sequence and moderation, and brewing Pu-erh tea is no exception. To obtain a perfect cup of tea without a complicated process, Tea Sister will teach you a simple method today, making the brewing process both easy and delightful, resulting in a tea as delicious as nectar.

Step 1: Rinse the Cup with Boiling Water

First, rinse the tea set with boiling hot water for about one minute. If you are in the office, start by filling the cup with hot water to warm it up. This helps the tea leaves release their aroma better at the right temperature. Especially in cold weather, using icy cold tea sets directly will cause the leaves to shrink rapidly in hot water, losing their original fragrance.

Step 2: Soak for Ten Seconds

Place the tea leaves in the cup and pour in boiling water, about three-quarters full. Soak for 10-30 seconds to allow the leaves to become moistened and to remove any dust or impurities attached to them. Then, pour out the water and refill with fresh hot water.

Step 3: Brew the First Three Infusions Lightly

"Brew lightly" means that for the second and third infusions, do not steep the tea for too long, as over-concentration can affect the taste. About 60-70% of the tea's nutrients are released during the initial brews, but caffeine and other elements are also extracted. Drinking too much of these early infusions may not be good for your health.

After following these three steps, a refined cup of tea is thoroughly brewed. As the saying goes in tea circles, "First rinse, second steep, third and fourth are the essence." To love something is to grasp its essence, and tea brewing is no exception. Only by cherishing it can one carefully understand and discover its best aspects. This applies to brewing tea and to life itself.