Many who enjoy the light taste of green tea are reluctant to try the richer flavor of black tea, finding it too bitter and lacking the light and airy quality of tea. As a fully fermented tea, its strong taste is both its characteristic and benefit, making it especially suitable for drinking during the autumn and winter seasons.
The Brewing Process of Black Tea:
1. The First Appearance of the “Bao Light”
The black tea leaves are tightly rolled with fine tips, and their color is not the commonly known red but rather a lustrous dark black. Internationally, black tea is named “Black tea” due to the dark black color of the dry leaves.
2. The Initial Boiling of Pure Water
The spring water in the kettle, when heated, begins to boil gently, and the bubbles rising to the surface resemble “crab eyes.”
3. Warming the Teapot and Cups
Pour the initially boiling water into the porcelain teapot and cups to warm them up.
4. The Prince Enters the Palace
Use a teaspoon to gently transfer the black tea from the tea tray or presentation dish into the teapot.
5. High Pouring from the Kettle
This is the key step in brewing black tea. The water temperature for brewing black tea should be between 90-100 degrees Celsius, and the water that has just boiled is at the perfect stage where “the crab eyes have passed and fish eyes appear,” ideal for brewing. A high pour allows the leaves to be thoroughly soaked by the water, which helps bring out the full flavor, aroma, and color.
6. Serving Guests
Using the circular pouring method, evenly distribute the tea in the pot among each cup so that the color and taste are consistent.
7. Enjoying the Fragrant Aroma
Upon receiving a cup of tea, one should first appreciate its fragrance. Black tea is renowned for its rich and long-lasting aroma, earning it the titles “Hero Among Teas” and “The Best Among Flowers.” Its sweet aroma contains hints of orchid.
8. Savoring the Freshness and Smoothness
After smelling and observing the color, you can slowly sip and taste the tea. Black tea is characterized by its freshness and rich, mellow flavor, which differs from the strong and stimulating taste of broken black tea. The taste is smooth and full-bodied, leaving a lasting aftertaste.
9. Appreciating the Lingering Flavor
After the first infusion, a second infusion can be made.
The Utensils for Brewing Black Tea Are Varied:
Ceramic Teapot
Black tea is a fully fermented tea type characterized by its “red leaves, red liquor, and red leaf base.” It is highly versatile and can be enjoyed with milk, honey, sugar, fruit juice, lemon, spices, or even alcohol, creating various delightful beverages. On a sunny afternoon, or amidst falling autumn leaves or snowflakes, a sweet and fragrant cup of black tea is truly refreshing.
Glass Teapot
The advantage of using a glass teapot over a ceramic one is that you can leisurely observe the transformation as the dry tea is placed inside the filter and then immersed in the hot water. You can add your favorite fruits or flowers to create a unique blend.
Double-handled Cup
Place an appropriate amount (3-4 grams) of dry tea in the inner container, then pour in water at around 90 degrees Celsius. After a few seconds, lift the inner container to separate the brewed tea from the water, and serve. This is compact and convenient, whether at home, in the office, outdoors, or in the wilderness, as long as you have access to hot water.
Drifting Cup
The drifting cup is more convenient than the double-handled cup, as it simplifies the process further; once the tea and water are separated, the entire cup becomes the tasting cup, eliminating the need for a separate tasting cup like the double-handled cup. Therefore, the drifting cup is known as the ultimate office tea set, suitable for any type of tea without taking up much space, satisfying your tea-drinking needs while being low-profile.
Lidded Bowl
The lidded bowl is the universal tea utensil in tea rooms, and it is particularly suitable for brewing black tea. The control over the amount of tea, water temperature, speed of pouring, number of infusions, observation of the leaves, appreciation of the liquor, smelling the aroma, and savoring the flavor all contribute to the many delightful surprises. The lidded bowl, also known as the Three Talents Cup, symbolizes heaven with its lid, earth with its saucer, and humanity in between, embodying the harmony of heaven, earth, and man. When you pick up and put down the cup, you are doing more than just enjoying the tea.
Purple Clay Teapot
Brewing black tea with a purple clay teapot is equally exquisite. Whether using finely graded or coarsely broken leaves, from spring to summer teas, they can all be brewed in a purple clay teapot, nurturing the pot while producing delicious black tea. Broken black tea can be steeped in a purple clay teapot and then mixed into milk tea, which is very tasty.