▶ Wrong Method 1: Using one handful of tea leaves in a large cup and drinking all day!
This method is especially common in northern China. People at work often use a large enamel mug, teachers may fill a large thermos cup with tea leaves, and bus drivers also keep a large lidded cup by their side. Drinking from morning till night—this is probably how many Chinese people remember drinking tea. In fact, this method is the most harmful. Tea leaves should not be steeped in water for too long. If steeped too long, the tea's alkaloid content increases, which can affect health. Moreover, separating the tea leaves from the water ensures the best flavor.
▶ Wrong Method 2: Drinking tea without awakening the leaves
Awakening tea means allowing the dormant or dusty tea leaves to come into contact with air and moisture, reviving them, absorbing the essence of nature, and restoring the tea's original character for better brewing. The method of awakening varies by tea type. For more durable teas like Pu'er or black tea, take the leaves from storage, place them in a brewing vessel such as a purple clay pot, and use boiling water at 100°C to awaken them. For more tender teas like green tea, white tea, or yellow tea, the awakening method should not use water that is too hot—85°C to 90°C is suitable.
The degree of awakening plays a decisive role in the overall brewing process and directly affects later infusions. It is important to note that the first brew after awakening is not suitable for drinking and should be discarded.
▶ Wrong Method 3: Drinking tea left overnight
If brewed tea is left for a long time, the polyphenols in the tea will oxidize further, causing the tea color to darken. This is why a clear, green tea may turn reddish-brown after being left overnight.
Generally speaking, overnight tea is not spoiled and does not cause cancer. In hot summer weather, a cup of cold-brewed overnight tea can even help cool down and relieve heat, but it is cold in nature and may harm the stomach, so it is not advisable to drink too much. Moreover, because the nutritional content of overnight tea is greatly reduced, its flavor becomes bland, and regular consumption does not provide health benefits. Tea is best brewed and consumed immediately to ensure both flavor and efficacy.
▶ Wrong Method 4: Drinking raw Pu'er or green tea every day
Raw Pu'er and green tea have a fresh aroma and a pleasant aftertaste, which many people enjoy, and some insist on drinking them daily. In fact, both are unfermented teas, known for refreshing the mind, clearing heat, quenching thirst, and reducing internal heat. However, raw tea and green tea are cold in nature, and excessive consumption can harm the stomach and overall health. They should be consumed occasionally or alternated with other teas. Fermented teas like black tea or ripe Pu'er are warm in nature and more suitable for daily consumption, promoting health and strengthening the body.
▶ Wrong Method 5: Women drinking tea every day
From a nutritional perspective, tea contains relatively few calories and is rich in vitamin A, B vitamins, and vitamin C. It is not only nutritious but also unlikely to cause weight gain, making it popular among women. In addition to drinking plain tea, women can add rose, tangerine peel, goji berries, or red dates to make blended teas, which offer beauty and health benefits.
However, women should avoid drinking tea during menstruation and pregnancy. Also, tea should not be too strong at ordinary times.
▶ Wrong Method 6: Drinking the same tea all year round
Some people love raw Pu'er so much that they drink it every day all year round. However, Chinese health practices emphasize seasonal differences. Different teas suit different seasons, and even different times of the day. Similarly, in autumn and winter when it is cold, drink more ripe tea or black tea; in summer when it is hot, drink some raw Pu'er or green tea.
If you have any of these bad tea drinking habits, it's not too late to change. If you still don't know the correct way to drink tea, keep following the public WeChat account "Dayi Tea"—the editor will occasionally share some tea knowledge with you.