We all know that even with the same Tea, different brewing methods can yield vastly different flavors in the tea liquor. The taste of tea is closely linked to how it's brewed. Today, I'll share with you how to brew Xiaoxinggan, a new favorite in the tea world.

Brewing Methods and Steps for Xiaoxinggan Pu'er Tea

1. Lid-Off Brewing Method

1. Open the packaging and take out the whole Xiaoxinggan;

2. Remove the small lid on the Xiaoxinggan and place it in a Gaiwan or a portable brewing pot;

3. After boiling water, rinse the tea once, then pre-soak it once. Start brewing from the third Steeping, letting it steep for 5 seconds before pouring out the tea liquor. Gradually increase the steeping time for subsequent infusions to maintain the taste and flavor of the tea.

4. After the fifth infusion, you can use clay pots, Silver pots, stainless steel pots, or glass pots to boil the tea directly, which will result in a richer taste and more intense fruit aroma.

Advantages: Good durability, the fruit Peel flavor blends well with the Pu'er tea liquor, and the brewing method is easy to perform.

Disadvantages: Boiling water can only seep in through the lid opening, leading to an uneven extraction of the Pu'er tea.

2. Broken Peel Brewing Method

1. Open the packaging and take out the whole Xiaoxinggan;

2. Carefully break the Xiaoxinggan into pieces and put both the peel and the tea leaves into a cup or a pot.

3. Pour boiling water over the mixture. Rinse the tea once, then pre-soak it once. For the first five infusions, pour out the tea quickly to avoid overly concentrated tea liquor, which might become bitter or astringent.

4. After the fifth infusion, gradually increase the steeping time to maintain the taste and flavor of the tea. It can be brewed approximately 13 times.

Advantages: You can adjust the amount of tea leaves and fruit peel according to your taste preferences.

Disadvantages: The fruit peel is hard and difficult to break apart, requiring the use of a tea needle to crush it before brewing. Also, since the Pu'er tea extracts quickly, the durability decreases, and the fruit peel extracts slowly, resulting in a lighter fruit aroma and unbalanced taste.

3. Piercing Brewing Method

1. Open the packaging and take out the whole Xiaoxinggan, prepare a Pu'er tea knife;

2. Use the Pu'er tea knife to pierce holes around the Xiaoxinggan and at its bottom, ensuring the holes are not too large to prevent loose tea from escaping;

3. Place the pierced Xiaoxinggan in a pot and add boiling water. The tea gradually infuses, blending with the fragrant fruit peel, creating a pleasantly balanced taste.

4. After the fifth infusion, you can use clay pots, silver pots, stainless steel pots, or glass pots to boil the tea directly, which will result in a richer taste and more intense fruit aroma.

Advantages: Good taste, moderate concentration and aroma, and long durability.

Disadvantages: Requires using a Pu'er tea knife to make holes yourself, which can be slightly complicated, and the brewing process is a bit slower.

Note: A conical tip tea knife is recommended. Apply moderate force to avoid injury. Flat tea knives may cause the fruit peel to crack, so pay attention to the force and direction applied.

How Many Times Can Xiaoxinggan Pu'er Tea Be Brewed?

The number of times Xiaoxinggan can be brewed depends on the quality of the tea and the brewing method, but generally, one Xiaoxinggan can be brewed about 15 times. Xiaoxinggan is made by combining Xinhuizhen tea branch green peels from July-August with Yunnan Pu'er tea. The finished tea has a uniform spherical shape, combining the rich taste of tea with a fruity aroma, and has a high durability. Using 100°C boiling water, it can be steeped 15-20 times.

Water Temperature for Brewing Xiaoxinggan Pu'er Tea

Xiaoxinggan is best brewed with 100°C water. This tea can withstand high temperatures, and boiling water can help release its fragrance. Xiaoxinggan is highly durable, and one can be brewed up to 10 times. When brewing Xiaoxinggan, lift off the top cover and place it in a gaiwan. Then pour in hot water, discarding the first infusion as a rinse, and let the second steep for 5-10 seconds after pouring water.

Brewing Time for Xiaoxinggan Pu'er Tea

Here are the suggested brewing times:

Of course, this is just a basic guideline. If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can extend the brewing time. If you prefer a lighter flavor, you can shorten the brewing time. Most importantly, choose the brewing time that suits your taste and the quality of the tea.

Xiaoxinggan is the abbreviation for Xiaoxinggan Pu'er tea, which is made using the immature fruits of Xinhuizhen tea branches from July-August in Guangdong Province. After removing the fruit pulp, a certain ratio of Yunnan Pu'er ripe tea is added, and the product is processed through washing the fruit, drying, cutting the cap, removing the flesh, sun-drying, filling with tea, and further drying. Xiaoxinggan has a fresh and intense citrus flavor, the aged aroma of Pu'er ripe tea, and its taste is refreshing, fragrant, smooth, sweet, and rich in fruit aroma. After drinking, the mouth is left with a sweet, salivating, and returning sweetness.