8 Ways to Brew the Perfect Cup of Black Tea: From Steeping to Straining

The brewing method for black tea is quite meticulous. So, if you want to brew a cup of high-quality black tea with excellent color, aroma, and taste, it's essential to follow these techniques and methods, as connoisseurs do:

Step One: Preparation

For those who enjoy the art of tea-drinking, the ritual of brewing tea is crucial. The sense of ceremony for brewing Keemun black tea is primarily reflected in the tea-wares. Place the teapot, fairness cup, tasting cup, and fragrance-smelling cup on the tea tray. The tea implements and tea sample jars should be on the left side of the tea tray, while the kettle should be on the right side.

Step Two: Appreciate the Tea

This step involves admiring and evaluating the texture and appearance of the tea leaves before brewing. In general, high-quality black tea should have tightly rolled leaves with minimal broken or crushed leaves. The appearance should be uniform, and the color should be dark, glossy black.

Step Three: Pre-warm the Cups and Pot

Pre-warming the cups and pot is essentially a cleaning process before brewing the tea. It helps maintain the cleanliness of the tea wares and ensures the tea's aroma is more pure and robust. Pour boiling water, approximately 99 degrees Celsius, into the kettle and then into the tasting cup. Clean each cup, and then return them to their original positions.

Step Four: Add Tea Leaves

During the brewing process, place the tea leaves and hot water in a ratio of 1:50 into the teapot. Controlling the tea-to-water ratio is crucial for maintaining the tea's aroma and flavor. If you use too much or too little water, it can affect the taste of the tea.

Step Five: Rinse the Tea

After adding the tea leaves, the next step is to rinse the tea. Pour water into the teapot, and then use the lid to skim off the foam from the surface of the tea. Cover the teapot with the lid and pour the tea into the fragrance-smelling cup.

Step Six: First Steeping of Black Tea

The first steeping involves pouring boiling water into the teapot, waiting for one minute, and then pouring it out. Pour the tea into the fairness cup and fragrance-smelling cup, filling them to about 70% full.

Step Seven: "the Dragon Gate Jump"

Use your right hand to flip the tasting cup upside down over the fragrance-smelling cup. Place your right thumb on the bottom of the tasting cup and your index finger on the bottom of the fragrance-smelling cup. Rotate them together.

Step Eight: " the Mountains and the Waters"

Hold the bottom of the tasting cup with your left hand and lift the fragrance-smelling cup from the tasting cup with your right hand. Rotate it around the cup's rim. As the tea moves between the cups, it resembles the undulating landscapes of mountains and waters, providing a unique and delightful visual experience.

Step Nine: Enjoying the Fragrance

Hold the fragrance-smelling cup in your left hand, with the mouth facing downward, and rotate it 90 degrees. With your thumb covering the cup's mouth and placed under your nose, inhale the delicate fragrance. Tea-drinking is like experiencing life, and during the process of tasting tea, you gain insights into life.

Step Ten: Sip and Savor the Delightful Tea

Sip the tea in three sips to fully appreciate its flavor. For tea enthusiasts, tea-drinking is an elegant and pleasurable experience. To truly savor your favorite tea, you must pay close attention to its subtle nuances, much like appreciating the intricate aspects of life.