In China and Japan, tea is not just a drink that can quench your thirst. The tea ceremony in these states is a whole art that has existed for many, many centuries. The process of brewing tea and then drinking it is unusually interesting. The tea ceremony is a great opportunity to take a break from the day's worries and communicate with loved ones. In this sacrament, everything is important: the type of tea and the quality of the water, the time of brewing and the utensils used.
It is necessary
- tea,
- kettle and cups,
- brewing water.
Instructions
Step 1
According to the Chinese, it is better to use small teapots made of clay for brewing tea, since in them the tea can best reveal its characteristics. It is better to choose small cups with a white inner part. This will help determine the strength of the tea brew by its color. In the Chinese ceremony, a special pair of tea is used (a tall cup is called a wensiabei, and a drinking cup is called chabei).
The water for brewing should be clean and fresh (spring water is best), and its temperature depends on the type of tea. For green tea, it is about 85 - 90 °, and for black tea, it should be close to the boiling point.
Step 2
Preheat the teapot and cups first. This is necessary in order for the essential oils contained in the tea leaf to unfold in their entirety. Then the tea will become more aromatic and rich in taste.
Step 3
Place the tea leaves in the kettle. Its amount depends on the variety, on how tightly the leaves are rolled, on the fermentation of the tea. Shake the tea leaves several times before adding them. Pour water over the tea leaf. You can fill the kettle one third or three quarters. Everything again depends on the type of tea. The infusion obtained after the first brewing is not drunk - it is needed to wash off the dust from the tea leaves, and also to warm up the dishes again.
Step 4
Refill the tea leaves a second time. And let it brew. The brewing time ranges from 1 to 10 minutes. Then pour the tea into the wengsiabei about three quarters, top it tightly with a second cup, and turn over. After that, you can enjoy the taste and aroma of the drink. They drink it slowly, in small sips and always hot.
Step 5
After drinking your first cup, you can add water and brew the tea again. This can be done until the drink loses its taste and aroma. Usually one serving of tea leaves is enough for three to four brews.
