Explore the enjoyment of green tea brewing process
- Written by En Jie Rudd
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I have been asked over and over again: how do you brew PREMIUM loose leaf green teas?
I always start from saying it is much more dynamic than just step one, two and three.
Special natures of green teas
Premium green teas are made of young tender tip leaves, some use single tips only and the others use the tip plus 1-2 leaves below. Apart from all being unfermented (classification of green tea), there are different in every other way: plants, geographic locations and climate conditions and making processes etc. The end results are green teas with different appearances, aroma, tastes and after taste.
How to brew a desirable cup of green tea?
ne thumb of rule to brew premium green tea is we always recommend using sub-boiling point temperature hot water due to the tenderness of their leaves, around 90oC or just below. A glass tea vessel is ideal for observing, monitoring and enjoying the brewing process.
There are three ways of adding tea leaves to the brewing vessel depending on the nature of the green tea:
- add the leaves to the vessel first before adding hot water to it; (bottom infusion)
- fill half of the vessel with the hot water, then add the tea leaves before topping up with the other half of the hot water; (half way infusion)
- fill the vessel with the hot water before dropping in the tea leaves. (top drop infusion)
Different green teas require or more suitable for one method than the other and the best way to find out is to try them out. Generally speaking, we recommend the top drop for the very young tender leaves and bottom infusion for the more nature leave green teas.
Good quality green tea
A good quality green tea will process the following:
- Pure and elegant aroma arising with the steam when in contact with the hot water
- Tea leaves descend and ascend after being in contact with the hot water, create a phenomenon some describe as rolling green clouds and others as under water forest (for an experienced tea grader, this is also a great opportunity to evaluate the quality of the tea leaves)
- The tea brew starts producing a clear, light and bright yellowy colour drawing out the nutrients and refreshing taste of the green tea
- A long lasting, lingering and refreshing after taste.
Just like everyone has a different taste, various green tea drinkers will find out with time with regard to what tea vessel they prefer to use, how much leaves to put in (even how to add the leaves as described above), what water temperature is best for the green tea they prefer and how long to brew their favourite green tea(s).
In summary, green tea brewing process is to be explored, experimented, enjoyed and perfected. The chart of thermometer for water temperature, spoon for amount of leaves and timer for brewing time is not how you create your desirable cup.
En Jie Rudd
The founder and owner of Valley Green Tea
I grew up in the Fu-Jian Province – the tea country of China. Tea drinking has been part of our daily life for as long as I can remember.
While I was working as a public health researcher a few years ago, I read many research reports conducted over the last 30 years about the health benefits of green tea in fighting certain life style related challenges such as cancer, obesity, cardio-vascular and inflammatory diseases etc.
From my research, I realised there is a significant gap between what people consume (i.e. commercial tea bags) for assumed health benefits and the actual benefits that have been enjoyed by the Chinese for a long history from the premium loose leaf teas.
As well as being potentially beneficial to health, the premium loose teas (green tea being the biggest group) are most enjoyable beverages with a fascinating history, colourful culture and holistically dynamic in every aspect.
It is my passion to share, not only the products, but also the whole culture dynamics around the premium teas with the tea enthusiasts, here in Australia and around the world.
Valley Green Tea currently supplis a diverse range of premium loose teas to the tea drinking community that suit all tastes and all cultures and to pass on a deep understanding of the history and benefits of this wonder beverage.
Website: https://www.valleygreentea.com.au