Understanding the Essence of Brewing Tea

Tea Bags
You can brew 1 Pot (6 cup/1 qt) of tea with one Tea Bag!! If cream or milk is to be added, use two tea bags. This is possible without compromising on quality because GUY’S TEA was processed in a ‘Rotorvane’ which reduces the size of the tea leaf without a loss of flavor. Because tea leaves unfold and restricts the space inside the bag during brewing, orthodox full leaf teas cannot be used efficiently in bags . By using 2 grams of Rotorvane broken leaf teas in a double chamber flo-thru tea bag, this problem has been overcome.

On every tea particle, there is a coating of dried concentrated tea juice which dissolves in water. Frequent dipping of the tea bag in boiling water causes the tea to be in maximum contact with water at all times and greatly improves the extraction process.

Duration of brewing in a pot is usually 5 minutes. If brewing in a cup, remove the bag after a few seconds. You can use the same bag for several cups. However, brewing in a tea pot is highly recommended. Unused tea can be refrigerated for Iced Tea.


Loose Leaf Tea
You can brew a pot of tea (6 cup/1 qt) with just 1 heaped teaspoon of tea. Very large leaf teas like Oolongs, may need a little more and tightly rolled teas like ‘Gunpowder’ Green Tea may need less. Again, if cream or milk is to be added, double the amount of tea leaves.

For black tea, Place tea leaves in the pot, pour Boiling water at 212 f to fill the pot and cover with the lid. Steep for 5 minutes.

For Green teas, water temperature should be 190 f and brewing time 3 minutes.

For Oolong teas, water temperature 200 f and brewing time 4 minutes.

Intermittent stirring allows tea leaves to be moving freely, and in constant contact with water to maximize brewing efficiency and extraction. Pour into cups using a fine tea strainer. The use of a ball tea infuser is not recommended because it does not permit free movement of tea leaves within it’s restricted confine. It also has large holes that will not trap smaller tea particles. What ever brewing method is used, the underlying principle is to have room for the free movement of tea leaves!


Water Quality
Water quality greatly effects the flavor of tea. Extraction of flavor is more efficient in soft water or spring water. The above recommendations for proper brewing is based on the use of soft water.

Hints

1. Cover the tea pot with a tea cozy to retain heat.

2. Spent tea leaf is a good source of fertilizer.

3. If tea leaves remain in the pot too long, the tea may get stronger and bitter. Remember; flavor comes out first and tannins, next. Excessive tannins make the tea taste bitter.

4. Shelf life of tea is more than 24 months if kept airtight in a dry place. Tea should not be kept in the refrigerator as it will absorb moisture and food smell.

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