Causeway Bay Branch：
Rm 3201, 32/F., Soundwill Plaza, 38 Russell Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
Tel: (852) 2832 2889
Fax: (852) 2832 2979
Tea brewing techniques
The tea brewing method changes from time to time. During Tang dynasty (A.D. 618 -907), people used to boil the tea like simmering soup; during Song dynasty (A.D.960-1279), people were using the De Cha Fa method which was adopted by the Japanese and is used during Japanese tea ceremony today. Until Ming dynasty (A.D.1368-1644), emperor proclaimed to use loose tea instead of compressed tea, the standard brewing method gradually developed. In order to brew the right flavor of tea and avoid preventable burning , it is necessary to understand your teaware and how to utilize it. Traditional infusing tea wares are lidcup. A lidcup can be a 3-part fly out-edge set or a 2-part straight set. Straight set is less popular today due to the difficulties in handling; therefore most of the straight sets today are collected as antiques. Fly out –edge set or Teapot are more widely used nowadays.
Lidcup Handling
|
|
|
|
|
Slant the lid with a tight gap. Slightly bend the index finger on the ring of the lid. Use the rest of fingers except little finger/pinkie and hold on to the edges of teapot tightly. |
|
Since the lid shape has a more curvy shape, it is likely to flip upside down; therefore, use the index finger to press the top of the lid ring to ensure that the lid won’t flip over. The rest of the fingers except little finger/pinkie hold on to the edges of teapot tightly |
Teapot handling
|
When the volume of a Teapot is less than 150cc, it is considered a small pot. Use the thumb and the middle finger to grip the pot handle. Then use the ring finger to support the back of the handle. Flex the index finger to press the lid top to prevent the lid from slipping off. |
 BIG TEA POT A teapot over 150cc in volume is a big pot. Use both hands for the big teapot since it is heavier. Simply use one hand to hold the handle and use another hand to press the lid top gently. |
1. Warming
|
|
 teapot |
Warm the teaware using hot water before brewing the lidcup or teapot. It has cleaning purpose and also helps to carry out the best colours, aroma and taste of the tea.
2. Cup Cleaning
It can use tea measurer to fill the tea inside the lidcup directly. Quantity depends of personal taste. However, a tea funnel maybe required to fill tea in the pot. After filling the tea, hit the teapot gently to smooth out the tea position.
|
Cup washing method 1 |
|
|
Cup washing method 2 |
3. Tea Rinsing
|
|
|
|
Tea rinsing is necessary since tea is an agricultural product. Simply fill the teapot with water and pour out instantly.
4. Water filling
|
|
|
|
Water temperature is the most important factor in brewing because different types of tea require different temperatures. A Fair Cup can help reducing the temperature. While filling water into the lid cup, pouring higher temperature water will stir up the tea leaves. Avoid pouring too fast or the leaves can spill out from the teapot. Bubbles may form as you brew, simply use the lid to wipe it off.
5. Infusing
|
|
|
|
When using lidcup, the lid can be used for spread out the tea leaves. When using teapot (except glass), you can pour hot water on the exterior surface of the teapot in order to boost up the taste.
6. Pouring out
|
|
|
It is easier to pour the tea into the Fair Cup first, and then pour into cups from there. It is necessary to fill the cups evenly. Pouring tea should be a comfortable action. Never raise your elbow high. If the teapot is clogged with tea, a tea unplug can be used.
7. Serving
Either put the cups on the tea tray or the tea holder, and then pour into cups.
8. Tasting
Observe carefully on the tea colour and appreciate the aroma, enjoy the tea at last. Use the thumb and middle finger hold the edge of the cup and use the little finger/pinkie to support hold the bottom. Finish the tea with three sips. You can also sip from your lips/teeth to temper the hotness.
9. Smell
After drinking, you enjoy the aroma from the empty cup. The empty Fair Cup also retains a nice aroma.
