Tea 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...

In our traditional impression of tea, quality tea must look and taste “fresh and tender". When distinguishing between good and bad, we always check the infused tea leaves to see whether there are enough tender buds there. If stalks are found, then most likely we will judge it as a low-grade tea. However, people who often drink tea will find that this standard does not apply on Pu-Erh tea.  What is Tea Stem? Tea stems refer to the leaf stalks of tea leaves, also called tea branches or tea twigs, which are relatively older than buds and young leaves. In some teas...