| Chinese tea Brewing Instructions | | | | to promote fermentation. The most crucial part in |
| There are four main methods of steeping tea, two | | | | the production of oolong tea is when to stop |
| conventional and two traditional. Since I’m only | | | | fermentation. As oolong tea is fermented to some |
| referring to Chinese loose leaf teas, the principles | | | | extent, it is called semi-fermented tea. Experience is |
| behind all these methods need a bit of further | | | | required to identify the best time to stop the |
| explaining for those crossing the bridge from tea | | | | fermentation, which is when the leaves are 30% red |
| bags to fine loose teas. Remember, tea is still always | | | | and 70% green. After this, they are rubbed |
| a matter of letting leaves sit in water and then | | | | repeatedly to generate good flavor, aroma, and |
| enjoying, so don’t be put off by all the methods | | | | texture. Then they are dried using charcoal. At the |
| written below for making a cup of Chinese tea – | | | | final stage, a tea master grades the quality according |
| It’s still a cup of tea! | | | | to the flavor and characteristics of each batch. |
| The first principle of tea steeping to remember is | | | | China’s Fujian Chaye Jin Chukou Gongsi (Tea |
| that the few leaves/pieces/bits/rolls of tea that you | | | | Import and Export Corporation and Fujian Tea |
| start with can be used to produce dozens of rounds | | | | Association) exports oolong tea to Japan. |
| of tea. How many rounds is dependent on the type | | | | Flow of Production Stages (China) |
| of tea and often the quality as well. Each time you | | | | - Tea leaves are picked by hand in units of one bud |
| brew one round of tea, it is called an | | | | and three leaves |
| ‘infusion’. Once the liquid is removed or | | | | - First fermentation |
| ‘decanted’ it can again be used with more | | | | - 30% red and 70% green |
| hot water and ‘reinfused’; creating another | | | | - Careful decision on when to stop fermentation |
| infusion. All of these main tea methods exist as ways | | | | - Generation of the qualities unique to oolong tea |
| for infusing tea, decanting, and then pouring into cups. | | | | - Charcoal drying |
| The idea is to preserve the leaves while you drink | | | | - Grading by a tea master |
| the tea to allow them to resist further infusions and | | | | - Export to Japan |
| continue to properly let out flavor. For example, if | | | | In China, tea has historically been used as a medicine. |
| you are planning on drinking tea alone and make a | | | | Many studies have been carried out up to the |
| whole pot for yourself, without decanting the pot of | | | | present day about the effects of tea. It has been |
| tea, the leaves will let out their entire flavor into the | | | | known for some time that tea helps to control |
| first infusion while you drink your first cup! That | | | | obesity and this is common knowledge in China. A |
| isn’t to say that decanting is 100% necessary, | | | | Chinese classical pharmaceutical book called the |
| just as long as you have enough tea drinkers to | | | | Bencao Shiyi (The Compendium of Materia Medica) |
| empty a pot. How Oolong Tea is produced | | | | states, “Drinking Chinese tea for a long time will |
| Manual production method supported by tradition and | | | | make one live long to stay in good shape without |
| craftsmanship. | | | | becoming too fat and too heavy.” |
| The production of delicious oolong tea requires | | | | A cup of tea in the morning sets the pace of the |
| time-honored tradition and outstanding craftsmanship. | | | | day. Sitting and chatting with a few good friends |
| Tea leaves are picked on the morning of a clear day. | | | | over a couple rounds of tea makes life worth living. |
| They should be picked in units consisting of one bud | | | | Brewing Chinese tea calms me down.Chinese tea is |
| and three leaves and exposed to the sun. This is the | | | | more than just something to drink. It has in fact |
| first stage. The second stage is to dry them indoors | | | | become a way of life for many. |
