Tea 101 — 101

For making a good cup or pot of tea, the first thing to master is the amount of tea leaves to use. There is no specific standard for how much tea to use, but the most important thing is to determine it based on the characteristics of the tea, the capacity of the tea set, and the consumer's drinking habits. As for the Pu-erh tea from the Chen Sheng Hao, in general, when brewing young tea with a 150ml gaiwan or teapot, it is recommended to use1 to 5 years aged:- 7 grams of raw Pu-erh - 8 grams of...

In traditional Chinese culture, there is a saying "fill up the alcohol to show respect, pour tea seven-tenths full to show courtesy." Pouring tea seven-tenths full has become a representative of tea ceremony etiquette. Leaving three-tenths of the tea cup empty represents goodwill, tolerance, and propriety. Pouring tea seven-tenths full not only gives others space, but also gives oneself freedom. The reasons for this are: If the tea cup is filled too full, it will be too hot to handle, and guests may get burned or accidentally break the tea set. If the tea cup is filled too full, it...

Have you ever considered why is there a "little nest" on a Pu-erh tea cake? During the process of making Pu-erh tea, the loose tea leaves are steamed in a steaming barrel and then put into a special cloth bag. The bag is then kneaded and shaped, and finally pressed into a cake using a machine or a stone mill. The little nest is formed where the cloth bag is tied closed. This traditional technique has been used for a long time and has become an important characteristic of Pu-erh tea cakes. Although the little nest on the Pu-erh tea...