Have you ever thought that the tea you are served is especially delicious, while the tea you brew yourself is somehow lacking in flavor? For those of you who have never had the opportunity to learn how to brew a proper cup of green tea, let us help you become a master tea-maker yourself. Here are some useful tips you can start using today!
A little bit of time and attention to detail go a long way towards brewing exceptional tea. The right amount of water heated to just the right temperature is key for making a great brew, and each tea variety has its own set of best brewing practices.
1.水はしっかり沸騰させて適温までゆっくり冷まします。
- Amount of Water
160 cc for Sencha and Fukamuchi Sencha. 50cc for Gyokuro. - Water Temperature
80°C for Sencha and Fukamushi Sencha. A more tepid 50°C for Gyokuro.
2.葉の量を多めに、これが秘訣です。
- The ideal amount of tea
- About 10g (or two heaping tablespoons)
3.じっくりと抽出させて
Once the water has cooled slightly in the teacups, pour it into the pot in a circular motion. Wait 1 minute for Sencha and Fukamushi-cha, while Gyokuro is best after 3 minutes.
深蒸し煎茶は
4.最後の一滴まで絞りきる。
Pour a little in each cup and repeat that process so that when you return to the first cup, it essentially tastes the same as all the others. Empty the teapot until there is not a single drop left. This ensures you can make a good second brew.
Lastly, tap the bottom of the pot lightly with your palm. This will loosen the tea leaves lodged at the foot of the spout and spread them level in the pot again, resulting in flavorful second and a third brews.
Best Brewing Tips
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1. Pay attention to the shape of the tea leaves
Peek inside the teapot after the first brew. If the tea leaves have opened up fully, it means your first brew was a bit too long. This extra time often makes more a bitter pot of tea, so be careful!
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2. Do not add new leaves to old
When it comes time to replace the tea leaves, throw away the old ones. Never add new leaves overtop old ones, or the true flavor of your tea will be diluted.
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3. Completely empty the pot
Pour the tea out to the last drop. This way the flavor will be retained for a second and third brew.
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4. Make the second brew soon after the first
A second brew should be made shortly after the first. Do not let the used tea leaves sit in the pot for long periods of time before making a second and a third brew.
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5. Keep tea leaves in an inappropriate storage place
tea leaves absorb the smell of other things easily, so you need to take great care to keep them properly stored. Unopened packages should be kept in the freezer and not be opened until they have been out of the freezer long enough to be warmed up to room temperature. Once opened, they should be put in an airtight container and kept in the refrigerator.
