Tea, which appeared in China as early as 5,000 years ago, was later introduced to India, Japan, the United Kingdom, and other European countries. To this day, foreigners' love for tea drinking is by no means inferior to that of the Chinese.
There is a wide variety of tea types, which can be broadly divided into six categories based on the color of the infusion. These are unfermented green tea (such as Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng); semi-fermented oolong tea (such as Tieguanyin, Wulong, Dahongpao, Shuixian), white tea (such as Shoumei), and yellow tea (such as Hunan Junshan Yinzhen); mostly fermented black tea and fully fermented dark tea (such as Pu'er, Liuan). Black tea is very popular in the UK and Europe. Because its infusion color is darker, it is also called Black Tea in English. Famous Chinese varieties include Gongfu black tea (such as Keemun black tea, Dianhong, Chuanhong). As for scented tea (such as Xiangpian, Osmanthus) or the recently popular fruit teas, they belong to the category of processed teas.
Tea has health benefits and detoxifying effects, which were discovered and utilized as early as ancient times. In recent years, medical research reports from many countries have pointed out that tea is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, and drinking tea helps prevent heart disease and aging. Furthermore, it has excellent preventive effects against various cancers. Additionally, Japanese scholars believe that oolong tea has the effect of breaking down neutral fat and suppressing cholesterol, which helps with weight loss. Therefore, so-called "slimming teas" or "weight-loss teas" have emerged, which are common products on the market in recent years. Besides the aforementioned benefits, the caffeine in tea also refreshes the mind. However, black tea is more invigorating than green tea. The fluorine in tea also helps strengthen teeth.
How to know the water temperature
Want to brew a good pot of tea at home? As the saying goes, "Water boils, tea is good." Besides the tea leaves, water is also a prerequisite. Water can be classified as hard water and soft water. Hard water contains more than eight milligrams of calcium and magnesium ions per liter; below that, it is soft water. Soft water is preferred for brewing tea. The correct steps for brewing tea are to first scald the teapot and teacups with boiling water to clean them and raise the temperature of the utensils. Then, put an appropriate amount of tea leaves into the pot, add boiling water, cover the lid, and let it steep for 30 seconds. Pour it out, then add boiling water again. This first infusion is the one to drink and has the most delicate and mellow flavor. Generally, the best water temperature for most teas is about 95°C; for green tea, it should not exceed 75°C, because green tea is rich in tannic acid, and high temperatures will bring out a bitter and astringent taste. As for scented tea, the temperature at which the floral aroma and tea flavor are best balanced is about 85°C.
But how do we know the water temperature? Generally, boiling water is 100°C. After boiling, let it sit for one to two minutes for the temperature to drop to about 95°C. If you open the teapot lid for five to eight minutes, the water temperature will drop to 85°C, and in 12 to 15 minutes, it will drop to 75°C. At the same time, we can use tea brewing techniques to improve the tea's flavor; if you want to reduce the bitterness of the tea, you can use water at a lower temperature. If you want to reduce the astringency, you can shorten the steeping time. If you want to increase the strength, you can increase the steeping time or add a little more tea.
Brewing a good pot of tea
The most important tool for brewing tea is, of course, the teapot. The most important quality of a good teapot is its ability to bring out the true flavor of the tea leaves. In the history of Chinese tea utensils, "earthenware" was the first material used to make tea utensils. With technological development, glazed pottery and porcelain also began to be widely used. Since the Ming Dynasty, the most eye-catching has been the Yixing purple clay teapot from China.
In summary, drinking tea has many benefits. On a winter afternoon, if you don't want to travel far, you can invite close friends to gather at home. Everyone can calm down, brew a good pot of tea, and while enjoying the fine tea, communicate with each other to deepen their relationship. It is truly a comfortable enjoyment.
Appendix: How to select tea
To select high-quality tea, you can evaluate it based on its color, aroma, and shape.
1. Color: Different types of tea have different colors. When purchasing, you should choose tea with a fresh and lustrous color. A dull, mixed, and uneven color are signs of poor quality. 2. Aroma: Each type of tea has its own unique aroma. Take a small pinch of tea leaves and gently sniff it in your palm. If the tea has a fresh and lasting aroma, it is of high quality. If it smells like fresh grass, it is of inferior quality. 3. Shape: Different teas have standard shapes. Tender tea leaves are best if they are firm and neat. The tea stalks should not be too thick. Finally, the tea should not contain any impurities.
Preserving tea
To maintain the high quality of tea, it must be stored in a dry place. If tea is compressed for a long time, it will affect the flavor and aroma of the brewed tea. Therefore, it is best to store tea in an iron can in a dry place to prevent it from mixing with other items that have strong odors.