How to make white tea

How to brew white tea: the subtleties of a pleasant tea ceremony

An undeniable fact: white tea is the most refined of Chinese teas. Ukraine met him relatively recently, and even then – in certain circles. The sound of the phrase "white tea" is perplexing to many. Black, green, red… This-please! But with "white" somehow everything is mysterious... and it seems complicated. In fact, the situation is quite different.

Delicate white tea is one of the lightest and most refined, especially good for home tea ceremonies. And Ukrainian, including! There is one point: the first acquaintance with him does not impress everyone. This is due to the refined taste of the drink, accompanied by a floral-fruity aroma with delicate honey notes. Tea experts claim: You will definitely become a fan of white tea, if you are impressed by the tastes and aromas of green. Whether you agree with them or not is an individual matter.

Before answering the question "how to brew white tea?", it is necessary to clarify the following... White tea varieties have not received their name in vain. Their raw materials are really white, with greenish tints, plus the color of the infusion – the non-fermented leaf gives a transparent, almost colorless infusion (at the first brewing, depending on the variety, it can be light honey, light green, light peach...). Well, of course! If you think logically – what color of the infusion can give young leaves with NAP and unopened buds (tips), collected in early spring, absorbed the aromas of flowering fruit trees, passed minimal processing (the degree of oxidation – up to 12%, compared to the degree of oxidation of black varieties – up to 80%). Only light!

Why do people like to drink white Chinese teas? Gourmets claim: first of all-for the refined taste and summer aroma (despite the fact that the raw materials are collected in the spring, the drink is rich in warm summer flavors). Of course, it is very useful. The brew contains so many useful substances, including vitamins, amino acids, organic compounds... that no one will dare to underestimate its usefulness. Certainly, those who are at least at the initial stage are familiar with the healing properties of rare tea raw materials grown in Fujian province, famous throughout the world for its tea plantations.

So, if you are interested in white Chinese tea, then the question of brewing it is important for You. How to brew white tea correctly?

Tableware

You should understand that the dishes for brewing white tea should be special and miniature. Well, this type of tea is not drunk in large cups and from a huge teapot! Its purpose is refinement in everything! Including dishes and the tea process.

The ideal option is a tea set that includes a teapot (gaiwan), a chakhan-slivnik for a brewed drink, miniature bowls that allow you to enjoy the taste, aroma and sweet aftertaste of a warm, relaxing drink-truly exotic, Oriental, mysterious… In China white varieties brewed in givani.

As for materials: it can be Yixing clay, porcelain, faience, and heat-resistant glass. The latter is recommended for those who like to watch the beautiful movement of opening leaves.

Water

Water is one of the important points for brewing white tea. You can even say the main one. White tea is very delicate, sensitive, and sensual… If there are any odors or tastes in the water, the leaf will lose its natural priorities and the drink will lose its natural flavor and aroma significance. Ideally, the water should be spring water. But not everyone has this opportunity, and not always. The best option is purified, bottled, necessarily soft water, without specific impurities.

How to brew white tea?

I want to say the main thing – no difficulties when brewing is not able to experience even a novice. Everything is simple, clear... the main Thing is to follow some rules and be able to enjoy a fragrant warm drink with small SIPS. This is what you really need to learn! Connoisseurs of Eastern tea ceremonies know that only in this form can you appreciate the natural beauty of Chinese white tea to the smallest nuances.

• Pour boiling water into the gaiwan (teapot) and immediately pour it out – this technique makes it possible to warm up the dishes to the desired temperature.
• Fill in the raw material-2 teaspoons.
• Fill with water. Attention-do not use boiling water! White tea does not like boiled water. It does not need to be brought to a boil. The optimal degree is 75-80, the maximum is 85. To understand this without a thermometer, turn off the water when it appears "running tracks", or as the Chinese say "pearl threads". Yes, it does sound romantic! In China, they can come up with truly romantic names. Take, for example, white tea «Silver needles» or «White moonlight»... For sophisticated natures, it is enough to hear such a name to give rise to the desire to "buy and try".
• Filled water should be drained immediately. This is a "zero", "awakening" brew. It is not used, but is used to clean the tea leaf from dust and small particles. In addition – this is the first opening of the leaf, which makes it possible to evaluate the original flavor of the drink. Open the gaiwan and inhale the fragrance. It will open for You the fragrant notes of blooming fruit trees.
• Fill the raw material with water again. How much time to devote to brewing? About 1 minute (maximum). If the drink is bitter – You made a mistake-overexposed the brew.
• Pour the infusion into the chakhan (slivnik) and pour the drink into miniature bowls. Now you can enjoy the fragrant and delicious beauty of the first brew. It is multi-faceted and subtle, refreshing and warming at the same time
• Pour the tea leaves back in. Increase the brewing time by 30 seconds with each subsequent brewing.
• How many times can I brew white tea? 4-5 – depending on the variety. The last brew will give a colorless infusion and a minimum of taste and aroma.
• There is another nuance. Everyone prefers their own taste. It can be either more intense or lighter. A few tea parties, and You will be able to achieve the best result for yourself.

Tea drinking process

White tea how to brew You now know. But, it is important to pay attention to its drinking. The tea ceremony in China is significantly different from the Ukrainian one. With us, «it» can't even be called a ceremony. But, the spiritual spending of time - it is quite possible. As a rule, we drink tea with family, friends, colleagues, and have conversations. What...? This is an individual issue. It is better, of course, that they are positive and relaxing. But even if you need to solve some important issues during a tea party – a small ceremony with a white tea variety will give this action the effect of refinement and refined beauty, showing You from the best side. Agree, not everyone in Ukraine can boast of such a reception today. But it's nice not only to make a positive impression on others, especially in business, but also to feel special.

To fully enjoy the aroma and taste of white tea – there should not be any sweeteners, sweets, buns… Only tea! The ideal time to use it is between meals.

Initially, hold the bowl in your hands and take a SIP of the drink. Evaluate the color of the infusion, enjoy the aroma, try to find peace of mind… Take your first SIP. Remember-it is the brightest. It reveals the taste and aroma of tea, leaving behind a sweet aftertaste. After a short pause, take a second SIP, etc.

In addition: store white varieties of Chinese tea correctly! Otherwise, the loss of taste, aroma and healing properties is inevitable. Why pay a lot of money for the "wrong" drink? Store raw materials in a tightly closed container in a locker without additional odors. The ideal option is a porcelain teapot with a tightly closed lid.

Nice tea party! And remember: the best prefer the best!