Every tea is unique in it’s expression and it’s desire to be brewed- for this, I advise to not make rigid rules for how to brew specific genres of tea. May this be a rough guide to laying some foundations down to furthermore explore and improve your brewing techniques.
Rule of Thumb
If the tea is too bitter, use less leaves, brew with cooler water or steep for a shorter time.
For most sufficient quality of brewing, I recommend the use of quality clay teaware to the size of the bowl(s) in use. (100-200ml per person)
Quantity
5-8g of tea per pot. Most tea available through The Hive will be able to be steeped at least 8 times.’
Steep times.
For most teas, we recommend immediate decantation of liquid for the first four rounds, adding 3-5 seconds per steeping following.For Shou pu’er tea and select oolongs, a longer initial steep will help bring out deeper notes. Every tea however has it’s own way and desire for how it wants to be brewed. Over time and through deep listening, one will learn how.
Temperature
Considering the nature of all of the teas available on The Hive, every tea can be brewed at boiling temperature. Personally, I believe all good teas can brewed flexibly and still yield tasteful results. However, if you wish to explore and refine your understanding of what brewing control can offer, here are some tips.
- White Tea & Delicate Green Tea: 155-175 F- Shrimp Eyes. Tiny bubbles that resemble shrimp eyes rise to the surface.
- Green Tea: 175-180 F - Crab Eyes. Vertical streams of steam rise. If your green tea is bitter, bring the temp down.
- Oolong Tea: 180- 190 F - Fish Eyes. Larger bubbles rise to the surface with steam that rises in thick columns.
- Pu’er, Red, Black & Aged Tea: 195-205 F - also known as a stream of pearls. A steady stream of pearl-size bubbles rises to the surface with waves of small bubbles rushing horizontally.
- Very dark tea can be brewed with water just shy of a rolling boil (212 F).
Water
The quality of water will directly influence the quality of tea.
For best results in texture, taste and energy, I recommend fresh spring water.