Tea-drinking has been an important part of Chinese culture for centuries. When you drink a Chinese tea, you value the color, smell and taste of the tea as it brews and as you drink it. Chinese teas can have great medicinal benefits as well. Brewing Chinese herbs and teas can be a lengthy process, yet it is fairly simple and extremely rewarding.
Brewing Chinese Herbs
Step 1
Place a bag of herbs in a ceramic or glass pot and add three to four cups of water. The water should be at room temperature. Place the lid on top of the pot and soak the herbs overnight at room temperature.
Step 2
Add more water to the pot after the herbs have soaked overnight. Add water until it is about at the top of the pot. Leave enough room in the pot for steam to escape to ensure that the pot does not boil over.
Step 3
Place the lid on the pot, then heat up the water until it boils. When it reaches boiling temperature, lower the flame/heat and allow it to boil on a low light for 30 minutes.
Step 4
Empty the pot into a strainer with a glass jar underneath. Put the herbs back into the pot and put the container aside. Add more water to cover the herbs. Boil water and allow the herbs to re-boil on a low light for 40 minutes.
Step 5
Put the infusion through the strainer as in Step 4, mixing it with the original batch in the container. After the herbs have cooled down, throw them out.
Step 6
Allow the infusion to cool and drink it at a lukewarm temperature.
Brewing Chinese Tea
Step 1
Boil water in a pot, then warm the clay teapot and cups by pouring that water over them.
Step 2
Put a small amount of tea in the pot. A good amount, according to Zimbio.com, is 5 to 7 g per serving.
Step 3
Pour hot water over the tea leaves and immediately pour the water out. Make sure that the water is not right at boiling temperature by waiting about a minute after it boils before pouring it over the tea. This will allow them to open more, giving you the full fragrance of the leaves.
Step 4
Put the sieve on the decanter. Dump hot water in the teapot and allow it a short amount of time to brew. The amount of time will vary based on the tea you use. For example, oolong teas will only need about 10 seconds of brewing time. When brewing is complete, pour the tea out of the pot and into the decanter.
Step 5
Pour the tea into a cup. Put the teacup over the thimble and turn it upside down. Serve it to your guests or yourself in this fashion to keep the fragrance and flavor of the tea sealed inside.
Tips and Warnings
- Adding fruit juice can help make the tea taste a bit better if you do not like the natural taste.
- Do not add flavorings to the tea, as it can diminish any health benefits. Do not boil the tea when you take it out of the fridge. Rather, place it in the microwave.
Things You'll Need
- Pot with lid
- Chinese herbs
- Water
- Chinese tea
- Sieve
- Clay teapot and cup
- Decanter
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