Make Chinese Green Tea

This article details the art of making a cup or pot of green tea using leaves, not bags, by following traditional Chinese methods. Buy some tea, a teapot and some cups. You really don't need to bother with anything else.

Steps

Using a Few Leaves

  1. Put 5-10 grams of tea leaves in the tea pot.
  2. Add not-quite-boiling (80-90°) water.
  3. Wait 3 - 5 minutes, then serve. You will get a few cups of fresh tea for yourself .

Using More Leaves to Serve for 4 More People

  1. Add 20 - 30 grams of tea leaves into the tea pot.
  2. Add not-quite-boiling (80-90°) water.
  3. Wait 3 - 5 minutes and then pour to serve for yourself or guest. .

Tips

  • Having the spout of the teapot facing anyone may be regarded as a bad manner in a proper tea ceremony, but Chinese usually skip this manner in a casual place.
  • Boiled water is too hot for tender green tea leaves. Pouring boiled water upon the leaves will cause the immediate release of tannins, resulting in a bitter brew.
  • In a proper tea ceremony, everyone has their roles. The host is in the position for pouring tea for everyone and you shouldn't take this role. However, in a restaurant, if someones pour tea for you, you can do it for him in the next round.
  • When someone pours tea for you, lightly knock your two fingers on the table and say "thank you". If they're older than you, you should pretend to be a little "guilty" in that you don't deserve their politeness. This drama should be repeated every time someone pours tea for you.
  • In any circumstances, before you pour tea into your own cup, always look around and see if there's anyone whose cup is not full. Pour tea into their cups first, as it's regarded as "selfish", "impolite" or "socially unadaptive" if you pour tea just for yourself.
  • For real Chinese tea, especially the premium quality one, adding sugar is akin to mixing 7-up with Chateau Mouton Rothschild red wine. Chinese often find it funny, if not scornful, to see someone to do it. You can add sugar or honey to taste and even put in ice, but it's not Chinese tea anymore.
  • In Chinese culture, pouring tea for someone can have a lot of meanings[1]. When a guest comes, they serve tea to show a sign of welcome. When getting married, a couple kneels on the floor and passes the tea to their parents to express their gratitude. When apologizing in a private place, they stand up, bend their back, pour tea to the one who accept the apology. So, whenever an elder pours out tea for you, it's regarded as a gross politeness.

Warnings

  • Watch out for old, out-of-date tea. Check the tea. Smell it. Look at it and check for dried-out leaves. Taste a piece (but don't taste it if is has been wet and in a container for a long time, or smells completely different from its original scent; if it smells sickly sweet [rotted]).
  • It helps to know how a specific tea will smell before you buy it. If you happen to buy a tea frequently, then you can check at the store if it has gone bad before buying it.
  • If you are buying loose leaf tea, make sure you examine what you are putting in the pot. Rarely small objects, such as twigs, foil(depending on the wrapping), or insects can make their way into tea accidentally.

Things You'll Need

  • Teapot
  • cups
  • kettle
  • water just under boiling(190°F)
  • tea

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ Chinese tea culture July 30, 2014, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_tea_culture

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  • Make a Perfect Cup of Green Tea on the Cheap
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