The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
I recently attended a tea tasting in Chinatown and experienced the traditional Chinese method of brewing tea where they first rinse the tea, then brew it (a larger amount than the Western method suggests) for up to 20 seconds before serving it. When I asked the person serving the tea why they made tea this way, they explained that you first have to "wake up" the tea, and they brewed it for such a short time because longer brewing times killed the antioxidants and made it impossible to brew the tea multiple times (using the Chinese method, it brews up to 6 - 8 times for some teas). Since this experience, I have been wondering if I have been missing out on health benefits by brewing tea the Western way, if I have been getting more or different benefits because longer brewing time draws out more chemicals, or if it makes no difference either way. I've searched all over for an answer to this, but I can't seem to find one. Does anyone know or has this even been investigated?
Jan 10th, '11, 17:04
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Re: The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
No idea about health benefits but brewing a lot of tea in confined space many times allows one to appreciate flavour changes in the tea as the brews progress.
A rinse is often said to wake up the tea, it's also handy to get rid of general dust or other unwanted stuff.
A rinse is often said to wake up the tea, it's also handy to get rid of general dust or other unwanted stuff.
Re: The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
Many teas will taste better brewed the traditional ways...for Chinese teas that´s in a small vessel with a lot of leaf and short infusions.
Also 6-8 infusions is the low end...have had some oolongs and puerhs that I get over 20 infusions from.
Also 6-8 infusions is the low end...have had some oolongs and puerhs that I get over 20 infusions from.
Jan 10th, '11, 18:20
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Re: The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
not all teas brew the same way. i tried to brew earl grey tea gongfu style for larks. it was a disaster.
i agree with EE, take your cue from tradition. they usually make sense
i agree with EE, take your cue from tradition. they usually make sense
Re: The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
earl grey is an english style tea...brew it the traditional english waythe_economist wrote:not all teas brew the same way. i tried to brew earl grey tea gongfu style for larks. it was a disaster.
i agree with EE, take your cue from tradition. they usually make sense
Jan 10th, '11, 19:15
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Re: The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
indeed...
i actually feel a little sad that i'm losing my tea roots. i began with english teas but am now entirely given over to chinese teas. trying hard to work some english tea into my routine. maybe what i need is a good bonechina tea-for-one set to entice me haha!
i actually feel a little sad that i'm losing my tea roots. i began with english teas but am now entirely given over to chinese teas. trying hard to work some english tea into my routine. maybe what i need is a good bonechina tea-for-one set to entice me haha!
Re: The "Right" Way to Brew Tea?
I still hit up the assam dust bags with milk and sugar. Keeping it realthe_economist wrote:indeed...
i actually feel a little sad that i'm losing my tea roots. i began with english teas but am now entirely given over to chinese teas. trying hard to work some english tea into my routine. maybe what i need is a good bonechina tea-for-one set to entice me haha!