Many common wrong ways of drinking tea, such as how to drink and choose tea correctly, have been discovered through long-term exchanges with friends. These mistakes not only prevent you from fully enjoying the goodness of tea or achieving its health-preserving effects but may also harm your body. Be cautious of these incorrect tea-drinking methods.
Most Common Mistake 1: One handful of tea leaves in a large cup, drinking all day!
This method is especially common in northern regions. People at work use a large enamel mug, teachers use a big thermos cup filled with tea leaves, and bus drivers always have a large covered cup by their side, drinking from morning till night. This is probably how most Chinese people imagine drinking tea. However, this practice is the most harmful. Tea leaves should not be steeped in water for too long, as harmful substances may leach into the water over time, making the tea harmful rather than beneficial.
Wrong Method 2: Not rinsing new tea
Almost all types of tea should be rinsed. "Not drinking the first infusion" is the correct approach. Rinsing serves two purposes: first, to wash away dust, and second, to open the pores on the leaves. Since the leaves haven't fully opened yet, the first infusion doesn't taste good and should be discarded. The steeping time for the first infusion varies: raw Pu'er tea takes 3–4 seconds, aged dark tea can take longer, and black tea should be as quick as possible.
Of course, some teas are of very high quality and rare. Out of genuine appreciation, some tea lovers may choose not to rinse, which is understandable.
Wrong Method 3: Drinking freshly made tea, believing newer is better
Different teas have different fermentation levels. Generally, tea should be stored for a period to undergo natural fermentation for the best flavor. How long to store varies depending on the tea. For example, raw Pu'er tea should be left in the air for 2 months to "awaken," while Yunnan black tea reaches its best mellow flavor after half a year, and green tea needs about 2 weeks.
Wrong Method 4: Drinking raw tea and green tea every day
Pu'er raw tea and green tea have a fresh, aromatic taste and a pleasant aftertaste, which many people love and drink daily. However, both are unfermented teas. While they retain more beneficial substances, they are also cold in nature. Occasional consumption is fine, but daily drinking is not recommended. Instead, drink fully fermented teas, which are warm in nature. Friends with stomach discomfort may benefit more from such teas.
Over time, raw Pu'er tea undergoes significant transformation in nature, becoming what is called "aged tea." This aged tea gradually becomes milder and can be consumed without worry.
Wrong Method 5: Women drinking tea every day
Women should avoid drinking tea during menstruation and pregnancy. In daily life, tea should not be too strong. For example, some online claims suggest steeping Yunnan black tea in boiling water for 2 minutes, which is definitely wrong. If the tea shows a wine-red color, it means it is too strong.
Wrong Method 6: Drinking the same type of tea all year round
Some people love raw Pu'er tea so much that they drink it every day, all year round. However, Chinese health preservation emphasizes seasonality. Different seasons call for different teas, and even different times of the day require different teas: black tea in the morning, green tea and other raw teas at noon, Pu'er (aged), Tieguanyin, oolong tea, and dark tea in the afternoon, and Yunnan black tea or aged white tea and aged Tieguanyin in the evening. The same principle applies to seasons: in autumn and winter, when it's cold, drink warming teas; in summer, when it's hot, drink cooling teas.