Tea, It's Not Meant to Be Drunk This Way

Mistake 1: Steeping a handful of tea leaves all day

Office workers might use a large enamel mug, teachers a space cup full of tea leaves, and bus drivers often have a large lidded teacup handy. Drinking from morning till night is a common image of tea drinking for many Chinese. However, this practice is actually the most harmful. Tea leaves should not be soaked in water for extended periods. If steeped for too long, the theophylline content in the tea water increases, which can affect health. Furthermore, separating the leaves from the water is essential for ensuring the best taste of the tea.

Mistake 2: Drinking tea without 'awakening' it first

Awakening tea is the process of reviving dormant or sealed tea leaves by exposing them to air and moisture, allowing them to absorb the essence of nature and regain their original quality for brewing. The methods vary for different types of tea. For more durable teas like Pu'er tea and Black tea, the method involves taking them out of storage and placing them in a brewing vessel, such as a purple clay pot, and using 100°C boiling water to awaken them. For teas with higher tenderness, like Green tea, White tea, and Yellow tea, the awakening water should not be too hot; 85°C–90°C is sufficient.

Mistake 3: Drinking overnight tea

Generally speaking, overnight tea does not spoil, especially if stored in a purple clay pot—it "doesn't sour overnight." The previously spread rumor that drinking overnight tea causes cancer has also been proven false. In the scorching heat of summer, a cup of cold-brewed overnight tea can even clear heat and relieve summer heat. However, its cold nature can harm the stomach, so one should not greedily drink too much of it. Moreover, as the nutritional components of overnight tea are greatly reduced and its taste becomes bland, drinking it regularly will not provide health preservation benefits. Tea is best brewed and drunk immediately to ensure its flavor and efficacy.

Mistake 4: Drinking raw tea [Pu'er] and Green tea daily

Raw Pu'er tea and Green tea have a fresh, fragrant taste and a sweet aftertaste, which many people enjoy, and some insist on drinking them daily. In fact, both are non-fermented teas, known for refreshing the mind, clearing heat, relieving summer heat, promoting saliva production, quenching thirst, and reducing internal heat and improving eyesight. However, Green tea and raw tea are cooling in nature; drinking too much can easily harm the stomach and body. They should be consumed occasionally or alternated with other teas. Fermented teas like Black tea and ripe Pu'er tea are warming in nature and are more suitable for daily drinking, promoting health and well-being.

Mistake 5: Women drinking tea daily

From a nutritional perspective, tea contains few calories and is rich in vitamins A, B, and C. It is not only nutritious but also eliminates worries about weight gain, making it highly favored by women.

Besides drinking plain tea, one can also add roses, dried tangerine peel, goji berries, red dates, etc., to make scented tea or blended tea, which offers additional benefits like beauty and health preservation. However, women should avoid drinking tea during menstruation and pregnancy. Usually, tea should not be too strong.

Mistake 6: Drinking the same tea all year round

Raw Pu'er tea is particularly excellent. Some friends say they love raw tea and drink it every day throughout the year. In fact, health preservation is about timing. Different seasons call for drinking different teas; even different times of the day require different teas. For example, Green tea can be drunk in the morning, but drinking it at night might cause insomnia. The same goes for the seasons: autumn and winter are cold, making fermented teas like ripe Pu'er and Black tea more suitable; summer is hot, and Chinese often choose Green tea to clear summer heat. Therefore, as the seasons and climate change throughout the year, the types of tea consumed should be adjusted accordingly.