 Use an Yixing teapot to brew the best oolong tea |
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Chinese people are probably the most demanding when it comes to brewing a good cup of oolong tea.
Fine Chinese tea has some unique qualities that others don’t: Its beautiful color, long-lasting fragrance, and delicate, crisp flavor are aspects that simply shouldn’t be missed.
So the question is, how do you bring out these celebrated qualities in your brew?
The truth is, oolong Chinese tea is best prepared in the “Kung-fu” style.
First, get your teaware ready
The key to success is an Yixing teapot. A teapot made of rare, porous Yixing purple clay can enhance the aroma of your tea and trap heat. Such a teapot will help your tea achieve a better flavor.
In addition to drinking cups, you should also have some tall sniffing cups, because oolong tea’s aroma is just as important as the taste. Also prepare fair cup and a tea tray to catch the spilled or unused water.
Second, preheat your teapot by giving it a hot bath
If the teapot is cold, the temperature will drop quickly when brewing and the full flavor of the Chinese tea won’t be extracted.
So before beginning, pour some hot water into the teapot and cups, and also be sure to rinse the outside and inside of your items with hot water.
Third, the first round of brewing officially starts
Pouring your first cup of real oolong tea
Fill the teapot with proper amount of tea leaves (ideally two teaspoons per 6 ounces of water), pour in boiling water, and cover the teapot. Wait for 1-2 minutes, and… wait! It’s not ready to drink yet!
The first infusion is only for ‘waking up’ the tea. This round will take away the bitter taste of the tea, and allows the full aroma and flavor to come out.
So, tea from this round is best for appreciating the aroma. The sniffing cups will come in handy, or you can simply pour this tea out.
Fourth, from here on, enjoy your tea!
Pour water in to begin the second infusion. From here on, you’ll get the best flavor out of your oolong tea. You should allow each brew to steep for 3-5 minutes. It’s worth the wait, because you’re about to enjoy the best your Chinese tea has to offer.
After a few minutes, it’s ready! In China, we don’t say “cheers” with tea, so just go ahead and drink it.
If you have guests, pour the tea into the fair mug first to mix it around and get an uniform flavor for everyone. Also, the fair cup is a good place to hold the tea while you’re drinking, as it helps prevent over-brewing.
Try it out now, and amaze your friends with the best batch of Chinese tea they've ever had!
