December 28, 2023
How do you drink Longjing tea?
Longjing tea, also known as Dragon Well tea, is a renowned green tea from China that is prized for its exceptional flavor and health benefits. To fully enjoy the delicate taste of Longjing tea, it is essential to master the proper brewing technique. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you savor the nuances of this beloved beverage:
1. **Prepare the Teaware**: Select a transparent glass teapot or a gaiwan (a lidded Chinese teacup) to allow you to appreciate the tea's beautiful color as it steeps. Additionally, prepare a fair cup and a set of teacups for serving.
2. **Warm the Teaware**: Pour hot water into the teapot or gaiwan and swirl it around to warm the vessel. Discard the water. This step ensures that the teapot is at the right temperature to prevent the tea from cooling down too quickly.
3. **Measure the Tea**: Use about 3 grams of Longjing tea per 150 milliliters of water. Place the leaves in the warmed teapot or gaiwan.
4. **Add Water**: Fill the kettle with fresh, cold water and bring it to a boil. Let the water cool slightly until it reaches a temperature of about 80°C (176°F). Pour the water over the tea leaves, ensuring that all the leaves are submerged.
5. **Steep the Tea**: Cover the teapot or gaiwan and let the tea steep for about 3 minutes. The leaves will slowly unfurl, releasing their fragrant aroma.
6. **Pour and Serve**: Gently pour the tea into the fair cup, being careful not to disturb the leaves too much. From the fair cup, pour the tea into each individual teacup, ensuring an even distribution of flavor.
7. **Appreciate and Sip**: Take a moment to admire the pale green liquor and the subtle aroma of the tea. Sip slowly, allowing the smooth, sweet flavor to spread across your palate.
8. **Multiple Infusions**: Longjing tea can be steeped multiple times, with each infusion yielding a unique flavor. Increase the steeping time slightly for each subsequent infusion.
Remember, the key to enjoying Longjing tea is patience and attention to detail. Take your time to appreciate every step of the brewing process, and soon you'll find yourself swept away by the exquisite flavors and timeless tradition of Chinese tea culture.
1. **Prepare the Teaware**: Select a transparent glass teapot or a gaiwan (a lidded Chinese teacup) to allow you to appreciate the tea's beautiful color as it steeps. Additionally, prepare a fair cup and a set of teacups for serving.
2. **Warm the Teaware**: Pour hot water into the teapot or gaiwan and swirl it around to warm the vessel. Discard the water. This step ensures that the teapot is at the right temperature to prevent the tea from cooling down too quickly.
3. **Measure the Tea**: Use about 3 grams of Longjing tea per 150 milliliters of water. Place the leaves in the warmed teapot or gaiwan.
4. **Add Water**: Fill the kettle with fresh, cold water and bring it to a boil. Let the water cool slightly until it reaches a temperature of about 80°C (176°F). Pour the water over the tea leaves, ensuring that all the leaves are submerged.
5. **Steep the Tea**: Cover the teapot or gaiwan and let the tea steep for about 3 minutes. The leaves will slowly unfurl, releasing their fragrant aroma.
6. **Pour and Serve**: Gently pour the tea into the fair cup, being careful not to disturb the leaves too much. From the fair cup, pour the tea into each individual teacup, ensuring an even distribution of flavor.
7. **Appreciate and Sip**: Take a moment to admire the pale green liquor and the subtle aroma of the tea. Sip slowly, allowing the smooth, sweet flavor to spread across your palate.
8. **Multiple Infusions**: Longjing tea can be steeped multiple times, with each infusion yielding a unique flavor. Increase the steeping time slightly for each subsequent infusion.
Remember, the key to enjoying Longjing tea is patience and attention to detail. Take your time to appreciate every step of the brewing process, and soon you'll find yourself swept away by the exquisite flavors and timeless tradition of Chinese tea culture.