I have been drinking rock tea for many years, and my brewing method is very simple. I usually brew it in a purple clay pot and pour it into a white porcelain cup to drink. Later, finding that still too troublesome, I saw a three-piece porcelain tea cup set on the street (actually an ordinary pen-holder-shaped covered cup with a porcelain filter in the middle) and bought one. When brewing, simply put the tea leaves into the filter, pour in boiling water, cover it for one or two minutes, then open the lid, take out the filter, and you can hold the cup and drink freely. The filter can be placed on the lid, or you can prepare a small cup or plate of suitable size specifically for holding the filter. After finishing one cup of tea, repeat the process two or three more times, and that will last about half a day. This brewing method is suitable for drinking alone. If there are many people, I use a larger round glass teapot with a stainless steel filter, which is easy to buy. I brew it the same way, pour it into small cups, and invite everyone to taste. Of course, this method is more suitable for office use.

If you still find it troublesome, you can also brew it in an ordinary cup, just like brewing green tea or jasmine tea. The only thing to note is not to put too many tea leaves, because rock tea is more resistant to steeping than green tea and the tea soup is stronger and more intense. An old tea-drinking friend of mine has always drunk it this way. As for the water used for brewing? The common saying is to use live water, mountain spring water, and the water temperature should be above ninety degrees Celsius, and so on. Of course, it is best to have these conditions. But where can you find such water in the city? It is also impossible to boil water at any time in the office. So, as long as there is bottled water or water from a thermos, it is fine for brewing. Think about it, farmers can even brew tea with cold water.

Some people say that brewing so simply cannot bring out the charm of rock tea. Actually, there is no need to worry. Based on my experience, as long as the tea is good, no matter how you brew it, the flavor will be full and rich. After all, we drink tea to quench thirst, for health, and to entertain guests. Practical function comes first, and appreciation comes second. Of course, if conditions permit, getting some good tea sets and good tea, and slowly brewing and savoring it with two or three close friends will surely give you a deeper and more refined experience of the charm of rock tea, bringing a different kind of pleasure.