How to brew Chinese tea: ways and methods

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Many of us drink several cups of tea or coffee daily. Someone considers themselves lovers of aromatic coffee drink, and someone considers himself a connoisseur of the tea ceremony. However, not every one of us knows how to brew Chinese tea so that it does not lose its beneficial properties and vitamins.

In this article we will tell you about the origin of the tea ceremony, give you interesting facts and introduce you to the variety of Chinese tea. Currently, such a drink is found on the shelves of any supermarkets, in specialized shops, and someone gets tea as a gift from abroad.

Origin story

According to the Chinese, green tea is better than wine, because it invigorates, amuses and does not transmit infection. The very history of the origin of this drink is rooted in antiquity. Legend has it that a shepherd over a thousand years ago noticed that his goats had become more agile and playful. After spending several days observing his pets, the man came to the conclusion that it was the shoots of one plant that gavesuch an effect. Gathering his courage, the shepherd tore the leaves from this plant, washed them under water and poured boiling water over them. As a result, he received a fragrant, strong and nutritious drink.

In the early years of using tea leaves, the Chinese did not subject them to any heat treatment. And only a few hundred years later, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire thought of drying and frying the leaves. At the court of the emperor, famous masters competed with each other for the right to be closer to their ruler. For many months they experimented with tea, adding new, unknown and untested ingredients. The one who managed to surprise the emperor was rightfully considered a master of his craft and was generously rewarded.

Many craftsmen racked their brains about how to brew Chinese green tea correctly. And only after a while the inhabitants of this beautiful country came to a consensus.

Promotion of tea in our region

Only after hundreds of years, Chinese tea began to be widely used in Korea, India and Central Asia.

In 1584, Europe learned about the existence of this drink, which won the hearts of many and gained wide popularity among the nobility and royal entourage. In Russia, tea appeared in 1618 and became an everyday drink for the rich and high-ranking people.

Over time, the use of green tea has undergone some changes. After Russia included in its composition such peoples as the Bashkirs, Altaians, Kalmyks and Tatars,most of the population switched to drinking tea with milk. It is worth noting that in most cases, Russians preferred black tea, which is less useful, but the situation changed when a scarce product from China began to be brought to our country.

Useful properties

Due to its composition, green tea has a beneficial effect on the human body and enriches it with useful minerals and vitamins. Since the tonic caffeine is not present in the drink in its pure form, but is mixed with tannin, we get a charge of vivacity and energy without damage to our he alth.

So, the main useful qualities of a fragrant drink come from China:

• theophylline, which is in the composition, affects the rapid and full saturation of blood with oxygen;
• contains vitamins A, C, E, P and B, valuable amino acids and enzymes;
• promotes weight loss;
• normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• prevents the formation of prolonged constipation;
• invigorates;
• is a means of preventing urolithiasis;
• keeps the body in good shape.

Green tea literally flushes cholesterol out of blood vessels, preventing them from constricting. In addition, this drink returns strength and elasticity to the vascular walls and helps to normalize pressure. That is why many doctors advise older people to include green tea in their diet, limiting their caffeine intake.

Interesting facts about making tea

Before you go to the kitchen and brew Chinese tea, we advise you to read about the features of this procedure.

Firstly, the water should ideally not boil. Connoisseurs of the tea ceremony are advised to use water with a temperature of 65 to 85 degrees. Before the kettle starts to actively make noise and the first bubbles run from the bottom, it must be turned off. This way you will keep the oxygen in the water and the tea will be he althier.

Secondly, you should pay attention to the brewing time. Cheaper varieties of Chinese tea take about 3-4 minutes to brew, while high-end ones take 2 minutes maximum.

And lastly, let's talk about the brewing process itself. As a rule, it is customary to drain the first tea leaves, so you wash the tea leaves. Good tea lasts 5-6 subsequent infusions, while cheap tea lasts 2-3 times.

How to brew Chinese tea?

In this section we will talk about the correct use of an invigorating and aromatic drink. Not many people know how to properly brew Chinese Pu-erh tea. In addition, there are doubts about the usefulness of this drink.

Unfortunately, some people believe that pu-erh is a drug that has a negative effect on the body. However, this is all myth and fiction. Chinese tea gives a charge of vivacity and energy, but it does not contain narcotic substances.

Most doctors do not recommend drinking "raw" pu-erh on an empty stomach. In older people, this can cause discomfort in the area.stomach, heartburn and pain.

So, how to brew Chinese Pu-erh tea:

• Must use glass or chinaware;
• put a small piece of pu-erh in cold water for 5-10 minutes;
• then drain the excess liquid and pour boiling water;
• wait a couple of minutes - and a fragrant and he althy drink is ready to drink.

Some tea connoisseurs advise rinsing pu-erh several times before pouring hot water over it. However, this is not essential.

Features of Pu-erh tea

The main differences of this drink include the following factors:

• beneficial effect on blood chemistry;
• lower cholesterol and glucose levels;
• diabetes prevention;
• prevention of atherosclerosis;
• effect on the human central nervous system.

In addition, tea helps to cope with food poisoning, helps to digest fatty foods faster and perfectly quenches thirst.

Types of pressed tea

We have already talked about how to brew Chinese pressed tea, now let's move on to a variety of this variety.

Mainly black brick tea and green brick tea are produced in the form of a press. The most popular is considered to be pressed pu-erh.

It is worth noting the fact that green brick tea is not divided into varieties and differs from other products in its low content of caffeine and tannin.

Blackbrick tea is usually divided into four main types:

• first;
• second;
• third;
• supreme.

Also on the package, in addition to the variety, the country of origin must be indicated. Varieties can also be distinguished by the type of packaging. In most cases, lower grades are sold in subparchment, while higher grades are sold in label paper.

How to brew Chinese tea for one person? For convenient use and quick brewing, tea tablets were invented. This is a kind of tea disc weighing up to 5 grams, which is designed for one brewing. If brick and slab tea is a concentrated drink with a pronounced taste and aroma, then the tablet variety differs only in convenience and ease of use. It is no worse than other types of Chinese tea, it just has a peculiar shape and is not brewed more than once.

How to brew Chinese tea balls?

Associated tea belongs to the elite varieties and therefore is quite expensive. In addition, this kind of Chinese tea is not sold in all stores, it is very difficult to find it. But if you become the proud owner of this product, we will tell you how to brew Chinese green tea correctly.

The main feature of this variety is its taste and the high quality of the raw materials used. If you follow the instructions and do everything right, you can enjoy the beautiful sight of a flower blooming in a teapot.

Basic rules

After you have decided on the dishesand the type of tea, proceed to the next step.

How to properly brew Chinese green tea:

• since this product is also for aesthetic pleasure, we will use transparent dishes;
• unlike the usual methods of brewing tea, this variety must not be poured with boiling water, but, on the contrary, placed in hot water already poured into the teapot;
• before adding water to the teapot, it is poured over with boiling water (this is necessary so that the figure settles to the bottom and takes the desired position);
• after the dishes for brewing are ready, pour boiling water and lower the Chinese tea in balls;
• wait a couple of minutes and pour tea into glasses.

It is worth noting that not all varieties can be brewed several times. It is best to check with the seller before buying this or that product how many times this tea can be brewed. An interesting fact is that with each subsequent brewing, it is necessary to increase the infusion time by 4-5 minutes.

So, you already know how to brew and drink Chinese tea, now you need to decide on the variety, purchase it and enjoy a warm and fragrant drink.