Standard Brewing of Chinese Greens
From wikiCHA
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Contents |
Overview
There is no correct or incorrect way to brew tea. Any procedure is good if it results in a liquor that you and your guests enjoy. These suggestions are only a starting point for a Chinese green tea you have never brewed before.
Procedure
The four variables in brewing tea
- Leaf quantity
- Water quantity
- Water temperature
- Interval of infusion
Skillful manipulation of these variable will bring out the best that a tea has to offer.
Leaf and Water Ratio
To brew a six ounce cup (175 ml) try starting with 3.5 to 4.0 grams of Chinese green tea. If the tea is composed of small pieces that pack densely, this will be about a heaping measuring teaspoonful. If the tea is composed of larger pieces that do not pack very densely, try two rounded measuring teaspoonfuls. The most common mistake of novices is to use too little leaf when they brew tea.
Water Temperature
Water that is too hot will make your green tea bitter, astringent, and generally unpleasant to drink. Use water that is well below boiling, absolutely not above 180°F (180°F is about the point where small bubbles begin to form on the floor of the kettle.) In most cases, 165°F to 175°F will make a nice first infusion.
First and Subsquent Infusion Times
Combine water and tea in the vessel of your choice for 1 minute. Reserve the leaves and enjoy a first infusion of tea. If you are using a good quality, loose Chinese green tea you should be able to repeat this procedure from 3 to 5 times, often with the second infusion being the best. Increase the time for each infusion, perhaps steeping the leaves for 1 minute again the second time, then 3 minutes, 5 minutes, finally 8 to 12 minutes. Use a little hotter water with each infusion until you may be using boiling water for the final one.
Adjusting Parameters
If your tea is coming out bitter, astringent, or metallic, reduce time or temperature. Occasionally you may want to reduce the quantity of tea leaf.
Alternatives
See also Glass Brewing for a different approach that also works well with Chinese greens.
