Chinese tea: it isn’t what you get at Starbucks
How to prepare your tea properly (note: these notes are for loose tea, not teabags)
The amount of tea used depends on your brewing vessel.
for small vessels, 1 to 1.5 tbsp.
for medium tea pots:
green and twisted oolong, 2tbsp, the rest 3 tbsp.
green tea - 175 degrees - steep for 1 minute
white tea - 185 degrees - steep for 1 minute
oolong tea - 195 degrees - steep for 2 to 3 minutes
black tea - 205 degrees - steep for 1 minute
pu-erh tea - 205 degrees - steep for 3 to 4 minutes
Why not to pour boiling water over all your tea like they do at every tea shop and cafe to which you have probably ever been?
If the temperature is too hot, it will actually burn the tea leaves, causing an off or bitter flavor. Have you ever had some green tea that was too bitter? This is probably why. The other cause of bitterness can be cooling. If it cools too much and has a bitter taste, you can just add some more hot water.
How to gage temperature without a thermometer: boil in a pan or vessel that allows you to see the water.
175 degrees - very small bubbles appear on the water’s edge, wisps of steam appear
185 degrees - small bubbles begin to form, steam is more visible
195 degrees - medium bubbles begin to rise, water becomes gently agitated
205 degrees - near boil
quickly rinse the tea with the correct temperature water before the initial infusion. This step ensures a more even brew and also pre-warms the brewing vessel.
Tea may be re-steeped multiple times. The number of possible re-infusions depends on the type of tea and the amount of tea used.
Lack of color or flavor indicates the tea is finished.
My favorite source for good Chinese tea: Silk Road Teas
http://www.silkroadteas.com/
Posted in Chinese Tea, Drinks, Healthy Foods |
By pilar on Jan 27, 2008 | Reply
thank you for your insight stefanie. i know that you have thoroughly tested and investigated everything you post so i know that i am in good hands with your advice.
mil gracias for making this blog - GREAT IDEA!
mucho love,
p.
By suzanne ahmed leonora on Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
Thanks, Stefanie! It’s great to see such precise instructions, as well as the rule of thumb! I’m happy to have started drinking tea again, and now I’ll be even happier. p.s. that’s a heckuva photo, but I bet you have a million of ‘em. p.p.s. i asked for green tea at *$$ and they automatically gave me that stuff with mint in it! Way to make me go all curmudgeon! Green OR mint, please! Republic of Tea: stick with the ginger peach! p.p.p.s. No, I don’t mind you going on and on and on about tea. Why do you ask?
By Adam on Jan 28, 2008 | Reply
Again, such an Inspiring and informative post!!
I didn’t know there was such an exact art and science to Tea.
mmmmmmm tea.
I want some tea.
By Hawk on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
Hey there. That’s all great information and I completely agree, but I wish people would stop putting starbucks down. As an employee, I can promise you the the water we steep our tea in is 198 degrees (I just checked), not boiling “like they do at every tea shop and cafe.” Suzanne, I’m sorry the barista that helped you gave you the wrong tea, but I assure you that’s not our standard practice, and if you’re not happy with your drink, bring it back and they’ll happily get you what you wanted. We use high quality tea and we do suggest the proper varying steep times for each different kind of tea, but all we can do is put the bag in the water. It’s up to the customer at that point to see that they remove that bag at the right time. And the bags can be re-steeped a couple of times. I encourage everyone to try the tea we have and form your own opinion.
By Mike on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
Wow Hawk! Tazo tea is not even close to being high quality. As a matter of fact, nothing that comes in a bag and paper flap is “high quality”. That grocery store garbage is basically what they sweep up off the floor after making real tea. Look inside the bleached paper bag that your tea is in and you will find nothing that looks like it came from a leaf…ever. Its tasteless dust. The temp of your water is the least of your worries.
I know your corporate training manual probably told you otherwise so you can feel justified selling over-priced filth to mindless yuppie pop culture clones, but its true.
Every time I see another Starbucks, I can only think of how another unique privately owned cafe will never be able to be born, and its all because of people like you that would rather have consumer culture tell them whats good, or what they should think, or buy, or want.
Leave your comfort zone, leave whats familiar, go to your local Chinatown, find a tea shop and talk to the person inside. You will probably learn a lot more than your manager at Starbucks will ever be able to tell you (and not just about tea).
How was that for a rant?! Hope I didn’t hurt your profits…I mean feelings.
By raetsel on Nov 22, 2008 | Reply
@Mike: you are an ass.
you think some worker at starbucks is there for profits? please :p
and why be so rude to someone who came here & was completely polite. it is one thing to disagree and point out some things, but your post was rude - like some mac or linux user on a windows forum (or vice versa any which way).
i think it’s you people with chips on your shoulders about the big corporations who need to pull it out of your rear-end. if local coffee/tea shops truly have better products then guess what? people still go there.
@Stefanie: sorry your comments will probably turn into a big bashing starbucks fest :p thank you for the information. the temperature part was particularly interesting.