Brewing Chinese green tea is both a science and an art—balancing water temperature, steeping time, and leaf quantity to extract the delicate flavors and aromas locked within the leaves. Proper brewing not only enhances the tea’s sensory qualities but also honors the craftsmanship and cultural heritage behind its production. This guide will walk you through the essential steps for brewing Chinese green tea to ensure a flavorful and authentic experience.
Related articles on how to grow your own tea plants and harvest them:
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Choosing Your Tea
Start with high-quality tea leaves, as the flavor of your brew depends heavily on the tea’s origin and processing. Chinese green teas such as Longjing (Dragon Well), Biluochun, and Maojian are renowned for their unique profiles and craftsmanship. Whenever possible, choose loose leaf tea over bagged tea, as it offers a fuller, more nuanced flavor and a more traditional experience.
Water Quality
Water quality plays a critical role in tea brewing. Use soft water, such as spring water or filtered tap water, which is free from chlorine, fluoride, and mineral imbalances that can interfere with the tea’s flavor. Avoid distilled or hard water, as it can dull the taste and aroma of the brew.
Tea-to-Water Ratio
A general guideline is to use 2 grams of tea leaves per 150 ml (about 5 oz) of water. This equates to approximately 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea, depending on the leaf shape and density. Adjust this ratio to suit your taste and the specific tea variety you are brewing.
Brewing Temperature
Green tea requires lower brewing temperatures than black or oolong teas to avoid extracting excessive tannins, which can lead to bitterness and astringency. Cooler water helps preserve the delicate amino acids and aromatic compounds that give green tea its signature sweetness and complexity.
- Temperature: 70°C to 80°C (158°F to 176°F)
Tip: If you don’t have a thermometer, bring water to a full boil, then let it cool for about 5–7 minutes. This typically lowers the temperature to around 75–80°C (167–176°F), which is suitable for most Chinese green teas. Using water that’s too hot can scorch the leaves and result in a bitter brew.
Brewing Equipment
The brewing vessel you choose can influence the flavor, aroma, and experience of Chinese green tea. Since green teas are sensitive to heat, it’s best to use materials that do not retain or transfer heat too aggressively, allowing for gentle and controlled steeping.
- Glass or Porcelain Teapot: Both materials have neutral thermal properties and are well-suited to green tea. A glass teapot also allows you to watch the leaves unfurl, which adds to the aesthetic and sensory enjoyment. Porcelain offers slightly better heat insulation and is often preferred for more fragrant teas like Biluochun or Huangshan Maofeng.
- Gaiwan: This traditional Chinese lidded bowl—typically made from porcelain—is highly valued for brewing delicate, high-grade green teas. It allows for precise control over water temperature, steep time, and leaf expansion. The wide mouth promotes rapid cooling, making it ideal for teas that require lower brewing temperatures.
The Brewing Process
1. Pre-warm the Vessel
Before brewing, pour a small amount of hot water into your teapot or gaiwan and swirl it around. Discard the water. This step helps maintain a consistent brewing temperature once you add the tea and fresh water.
Do You Rinse the Tea Leaves First?
In traditional Chinese tea brewing, green tea leaves are typically not rinsed before brewing. While rinsing is common for pu-erh and oolong teas—to remove dust and open the leaves—green tea is more delicate, and rinsing can strip away its subtle flavors and aromatic oils.
Why Green Tea Isn’t Rinsed:
- Delicate composition: Green tea has fine, fragile leaves with water-soluble compounds that can be lost with a rinse.
- Clean processing: High-quality Chinese green teas are generally produced in clean environments and do not require rinsing to remove impurities.
Exceptions & Preferences:
Some tea drinkers may still rinse green tea briefly if the leaves appear dusty or are of lower grade, but this is uncommon.
If rinsed, it should be a very quick pour-over with hot water (1–2 seconds), immediately discarded, and followed by the first proper infusion.
Recommendation: For most high-grade Chinese green teas, skip rinsing and treat the first infusion as part of the drinking experience.
2. Add Tea Leaves
Measure and place the tea leaves into the bottom of your pot or gaiwan. For most Chinese green teas, use about 2 grams per 150 ml of water (roughly 1 to 1.5 teaspoons, depending on the tea’s density).
3. Pour the Water
Gently pour the heated water (70–80 °C / 158–176 °F) over the tea leaves. Pouring from a slight height can help aerate the water and encourage better flavor release.
4. Steep
Steeping time is crucial and can vary slightly based on the tea variety.
- Typical steeping time: 2 to 3 minutes for most Chinese green teas.
- Watch for leaf unfurling, which signals that the tea is brewing properly.
- Infusion color should be pale green to yellow, not dark or overly cloudy.
5. First Pour
Once steeping is complete, pour the tea into a cup or serving pitcher through a strainer to avoid over-extraction.
Multiple Infusions
Chinese green teas can often be infused 2 to 3 times, with each infusion unveiling different layers of aroma and taste.
For each subsequent infusion:
- You may slightly increase the water temperature on later infusions to draw out more flavor.
- Use the same leaves.
- Reduce steeping time slightly (e.g., 30–60 seconds), since the leaves are already hydrated and open.
Serving
Serve Chinese green tea in small porcelain or glass cups to fully experience its aroma and clarity. Sip slowly and attentively, appreciating the subtleties of each infusion. Tea drinking is not only a sensory experience but a cultural and contemplative one.
In conclusion, brewing Chinese green tea is a mindful, reflective process that honors the tea’s origin, the craftsmanship of its producers, and centuries of cultural tradition. By paying attention to each step—from selecting quality leaves to controlling water temperature and steeping time—tea drinkers can unlock the full complexity of flavor and aroma that green tea offers. With care and attention, every infusion becomes more than just a beverage—it becomes a quiet celebration of nature, culture, and personal ritual.