How Do You Prepare a Good Cup of Loose Leaf Tea?
In front of leaf tea, it happens to ask, “How do I prepare it now?” Especially if you have been used to using commercial bagged tea for a long time, on which the instructions for use all read the same formula, regardless of the type of tea: “Soak the bag in water at 100°C for 3 minutes.” But to start drinking quality, natural tea that can lift our spirits on a dreary day with its flavors and aromas, there are a few things to know. So let’s equip ourselves with the tools and accessories for brewing and find out what are the must-have items.
Water for tea
Good leaf tea is prepared with good water. Water is the element that most influences the preparation of our cup of tea. Besides the tea itself, of course. We recommend using bottled water, or possibly filtered tap water. To understand whether the water we are using is suitable for leaf tea preparation, we need to check that it has:
- An almost neutral and slightly basic pH (between 6.5 and 7);
- Fixed residue (content of mineral salts in the water) less than 50mg/liter.
- Water rich in limestone, chlorine and iron should therefore be avoided.
Once we have found the water that is right for us, it is important to know how to use it. The amount of water needed to infuse tea leaves tends to be what can be contained in our common cup, which is 200 ml.
At what temperature should the water for tea be heated?
The temperature of the water may not always be the same for each type of tea. Tea comes from a single plant, but the way the leaves are processed determines the category of tea. The temperature of the water goes to act on the tea leaves, extracting their properties, but it does not do so in the same way on all types of tea. So we have to forget about the supermarket tea directions that tell us to boil the water and let the tea bag soak immediately afterwards. Each tea must be infused at a certain temperature and respecting certain times:
- White tea: water between 75°C and 90°C for 3 to 6 minutes
- Japanese green tea: water between 60°C and 80°C for 1/2-2 minutes
- Chinese green tea: water between 60°C and 80°C for 3-4 minutes
- Yellow tea: water between 75°C and 80°C for 3-4 minutes
- Black tea: water between 90°C and 95°C for 3-4 minutes
- Oolong tea: between 85°C and 95°C for 3 minutes
- Fermented teas: between 95°C and 98°C for 2-3 minutes
For most teas, the leaves should not be steeped with water at 100°C. Boiling water extracts all the properties of the tea faster, especially the polyphenols, which contribute to the perception of bitterness.
How to recognize water temperature
To be absolutely accurate in the preparation of tea, you can buy a kettle that is able to mark the temperature. This helps us if we are brewing tea while we are working or engaged in something else. Another very useful tool is the tea thermometer; it is a simple thermometer that quickly and accurately indicates the temperature of the water intended for tea preparation. Simply dip it into the container in which you are heating the water, being careful not to touch the bottom or walls. Moving it slightly within the water will give a more accurate temperature reading. Specialty tea retailers always indicate how to prepare it, which I encourage you to follow until you find your own method.
How many grams of tea for a Cup?
Typically, they recommend brewing 200 ml of water with 2.5–3 grams of tea leaves. The density of the leaves varies; those of a needle-shaped Japanese tea will never occupy the same volume as a broad-leaf white tea. This is why it is recommended to use a digital weighing machine so that you can be more precise.
How long to infuse leaf tea?
Observe the infusion times given for the tea you are brewing. Once the time is up, try never to leave the leaves wet inside the teapot if there is still water in it. This is because the infusion would continue and an unpleasant bitter taste would be released. Therefore, even for leaf tea, some useful tools are recommended:
- Single steel filter for the cup: once the infusion is complete, simply remove the filter with the wet leaves inside;
- Teapot with internal steel filter: once the infusion is complete, make sure to empty the teapot completely. Remove the filter and only leave the infusion in the teapot if this is not possible;
- Disposable paper filter: this is useful for taking leaves with you when you are not at home, or for infusing them in the absence of a teapot. As with steel filters, once the tea is ready, simply remove it from the cup in which you were using it.
The filter must provide enough space for the leaves to infuse optimally. They, too, need to open up and express themselves! Making your own tea might seem like the most difficult thing in the world right now, but it is not. To get the most out of our favorite beverage, just adhere to a few straightforward guidelines.