How to Brew Chinese Restaurant Tea

Chinese tea time.

The Chinese actually have several ways to brew tea each with their own special ceremony. A few of these traditions are used when brewing Chinese restaurant tea, and while they are not as intricate, they are still part of the tradition of brewing Chinese tea. The Chinese prefer their tea to be light rather than robustly flavored. That's why when you go to a traditional Chinese restaurant you may notice that the tea has a very light flavor and almost no color. In fact you may think at times that if it weren't for the very delicate flavor that you were just drinking hot water. Also, the Chinese don't add sugar, milk or lemon to their tea, so if you ask for it you may get a funny look.

Things You'll Need

• Porcelain or earthen ware teapot Porcelain or earthen ware tea cups Tea leaves Hot water Teaspoon

Instructions

1. Pour some hot water into the teapot, swirl it around, and then pour it out. This is called scalding the teapot.

2. Add one or two tsp. of tea leaves to the teapot.

3. Pour hot water into the pot until it is almost overflowing.

4. Allow the tea leaves to steep for three or four minutes.

5. Pour the tea into cups. Don't leave any tea in the pot, in fact traditionally the Chinese will have extra cups available so they can pour the tea into them rather than leaving it in the pot to steep further.

6. Drink your tea.

Tips & Warnings

• If you enjoy lightly flavored teas as the Chinese do, then add more hot water to the pot if the tea becomes a bit too brisk tasting if you decide to leave extra tea in the pot.

• When boiling water for tea, start with cold water and then bring that water to a boil where the water is rolling. Then take it off the heat, because if you boil it for longer you will boil all the oxygen out of the water and this will give the water a flat taste.

Resources

• About Chinese tea
• Tea in a Chinese restaurants