While the process of making yellow tea from fresh leaves involves unique steps like "smothering" to achieve its distinct color and flavor, preparing a cup of yellow tea to drink, or brewing it, is a straightforward process focusing on bringing out its delicate characteristics.
Essential Steps for Brewing Yellow Tea
Brewing yellow tea properly ensures you enjoy its sweet, mellow taste and unique aroma. The key is using the right water temperature and infusion time.
Here's a general guide on how to brew yellow tea:
- Choose Your Tea Leaves: Select high-quality yellow tea leaves. The amount typically used is around 2-3 grams per 150-200ml of water, but you can adjust this based on your preference and the specific tea.
- Select a Brewing Vessel: Yellow tea can be brewed in various vessels:
- Gaiwan: Ideal for appreciating the leaf unfurling and controlling short infusions.
- Glass: Allows you to admire the beautiful yellow liquor and the leaves dancing.
- Teapot: Convenient for brewing larger quantities.
- Heat the Water: The water temperature is crucial for yellow tea. It's generally lower than that for black tea. Aim for water heated to around 75°C to 85°C (167°F to 185°F). Avoid using boiling water, as it can scorch the delicate leaves and result in a bitter taste.
- Add Leaves to Vessel: Place the measured tea leaves into your chosen brewing vessel.
- Add Hot Water: As indicated in the reference, "Add hot water to it". Pour the heated water over the tea leaves.
- Infuse the Tea: Allow the tea to steep. According to the reference, it "probably takes about three or four minutes to infuse." The exact time can vary depending on the tea type, your desired strength, and personal preference. You can start with 3 minutes and adjust for subsequent infusions.
- Pour and Enjoy: Once infused, carefully pour the tea into a cup. If using a teapot, strain the leaves.
- Multiple Infusions: High-quality yellow teas can often be steeped multiple times, with each infusion offering slightly different nuances in flavor.
Brewing Parameters Summary
Here's a quick look at recommended parameters:
| Parameter | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Tea Quantity | 2-3 grams per 150-200ml |
| Water Temp | 75°C - 85°C (167°F - 185°F) |
| Infusion Time | 3-4 minutes (as per reference), adjust after |
| Vessel | Gaiwan, Glass, Teapot |
By following these steps and paying attention to the water temperature and steeping time, particularly allowing it "about three or four minutes to infuse" as the reference suggests, you can brew a delicious cup of yellow tea.
