You can prepare white tea by carefully controlling water temperature and steeping time to bring out its delicate flavors. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Steps to Brew White Tea:
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Measure the Tea: Use approximately one rounded teaspoon of white tea leaves per cup (8 oz / 240 ml). You can add an extra teaspoon "for the pot" if you're making a larger batch.
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Heat the Water: The water temperature is critical for white tea. You don't want to use boiling water, as it can scorch the delicate leaves and make the tea bitter. Heat water to around 170-185°F (77-85°C). A good way to achieve this is to boil water and let it cool for:
- 3 minutes for white tea with more leaf content.
- 5 minutes for white tea that is primarily buds (e.g., Silver Needle).
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Steep the Tea: Pour the heated water over the tea leaves in your teapot or cup.
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Steep Time: Allow the tea to steep for approximately 3 minutes. Steeping for too long can lead to a bitter taste, while not steeping enough will result in a weak brew. You can adjust the steeping time to your personal preference.
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Serve and Enjoy: Strain the tea leaves (if necessary) and pour the tea into your cup. White tea is best enjoyed without milk or sugar, allowing its subtle flavors to shine through.
Tips for a Perfect Cup:
- Use filtered water: This will help prevent mineral buildup and improve the taste of your tea.
- Experiment with steeping times: Find the steeping time that best suits your taste.
- Consider multiple infusions: High-quality white tea can often be re-steeped several times, with each infusion offering a slightly different flavor profile.
By following these steps, you can enjoy a delicious and delicate cup of white tea.
