Washing tea before drinking serves to remove dust, awaken the tea, and moisturize it. Among the six types of tea, some do not require washing. For instance, high-quality Green Tea is delicate and does not need to be washed; the same applies to white tea. Oolong Tea only needs a single rinse. Here's an overview of the basic knowledge regarding washing tea for each of the six types.

The Basic Knowledge of the Six Types of Tea

1. Green Tea

Green tea loses its flavor after two or three infusions. As it contains few impurities, washing with warm water suffices. High-quality green teas, particularly those with tender leaves, are cleaner and more delicate than other grades, making them unsuitable for washing due to their inability to withstand multiple steepings.

2. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea typically requires just one rinse, which also serves to awaken the tea, preserving its aroma and flavor. When brewing oolong tea, pour water along the edge of the cup rather than directly onto the leaves to avoid bitterness.

3. Black Tea

Black tea is tender and has a mild nature. The first infusion can be retained, as during the rolling process, black tea juices adhere to the surface of the dry leaves. These juices contain nutrients that dissolve into the first Brew, making it rich in nutrition and not overly strong.

4. Dark Tea, Pu'er Tea

Dark tea is compressed and should be rinsed to awaken the leaves. When brewing dark tea or Pu'er using a lidded bowl, pour water around the edge rather than directly onto the leaves. Ring or spiral pouring techniques are suitable. The first rinse should be quick, with water temperature controlled at 93 degrees Celsius. For loose leaf tea, use water at 90 degrees Celsius.

From the second infusion onwards, you can drink normally, allowing the tea to steep for about 10 seconds on the second and third infusions, and longer thereafter. Key factors include using the right amount of tea, controlling water temperature, pouring slowly, and managing steeping time. Rinse twice before brewing.

5. Yellow Tea

Yellow tea is a lightly Fermented tea and doesn't need to be washed.

Yellow tea buds are delicate and should not be brewed with boiling water. Use a glass cup or lidded bowl for Junshan Silver Needle.

When brewing yellow tea in a lidded bowl, place an appropriate amount of yellow tea in the bowl and pour hot water clockwise in a spiral motion.

The quantity of tea should be about one-fifth of the capacity of the lidded bowl, with water temperature controlled at around 85 degrees Celsius. Remember not to cover the bowl while brewing, as this can result in a bitter taste.

6. White Tea

White tea is made from fresh and tender leaves. During the first infusion, the essence of the tea remains in the water. Discarding the first brew would result in subsequent infusions being much lighter in flavor. Moreover, the production process of white tea is meticulous, ensuring high-quality white tea is clean and ready for immediate brewing. Washing is not necessary for white tea.

When concerned about dust on the leaves, you can quickly rinse them once and discard the water immediately.