Separating Tea Leaves from Tea Water is Healthier
Core Tip: Office workers can choose a container with a separate mesh to keep tea leaves and tea water apart, preventing the leaves from continuously steeping in the water and increasing the dissolution rate of harmful components. Do not buy too much tea at once, and store it in a well-ventilated and breathable place.
The meticulous approach of Chaoshan people to brewing Gongfu tea is worth learning: the first infusion is used to rinse the teaware; tea should be brewed and consumed immediately, with the leaves changed after three or four infusions. Discarding the first infusion is equivalent to rinsing the tea; brewing fresh tea frequently and changing the leaves can reduce the amount of harmful substances like pesticides dissolved in the water. Office workers can choose a container with a separate mesh to keep tea leaves and tea water apart, preventing the leaves from continuously steeping in the water and increasing the dissolution rate of harmful components. Before brewing, rinse the tea with hot water once. Rinsing with hot water is better than with cold water, and rinsing with cold water is better than not rinsing at all.
When dining out, try to avoid drinking the tea provided by restaurants, as the quality of these tea leaves cannot be guaranteed. It is better to drink plain boiled water or bring your own pre-packaged tea.
Another problem area with tea lies in its storage method. Improper storage can cause tea to spoil, leading to bacterial growth, which is invisible to the naked eye. Furthermore, the temperature of the tea water is not high enough to kill these bacteria. Drinking such tea can also affect your health. Experts recommend not buying too much tea at once and storing it in a well-ventilated and breathable place.