How to Make Chinese Green Tea

This article details the art of making a cup or pot of green tea using leaves, not bags, by following traditional Chinese methods. Buy some tea, a teapot and some cups. You really don't need to bother with anything else.


Things You'll Need

* Teapot
* cups
* kettle
* water just under boiling(190°F)
* tea



Steps
Method 1

1. Put a hand full of tea leaves in the pot.
2. Add warm water. Leave for a minute - Boiling water releases a chemical that make the tea sour.
3. Add some sugar to it (optional, real Chinese tea rarely has sugar added and for only some types)
4. Wait a few minutes, then serve. You will get a few cups of tea.


Method 2

1. Add a lot of tea into the pot.
2. Add not-quite-boiling water. Leave for a minute and then pour out to wash the leaves.
3. Add more water.
4. Wait about 30 seconds to a minute and then pour to serve.


Tips

* You will get the same ratio of tea to water whichever method you choose.
* Try to buy good quality tea. It will last longer and have a more pleasant taste. Teas all have different unique tastes. instead of buying just one (because the name sounds good), buy a few (but in smaller quantities).
* Using more tea is a sign of respect to a guest. The more tea you put into the pot, the higher the level of respect.
* Having the spout of the teapot facing anyone is a show of bad manners and disrespect.
* Boiled water is too hot for tender green tea leaves. Pouring boiled water upon the leaves will cause the immediate release of tannins, resulting in a bitter brew.


Warnings

* Watch out for old, out-of-date tea. Check the tea. Smell it. Look at it and check for dried-out leaves. Taste a piece (but don't taste it if is has been wet and in a container for a long time, or smells completely different from its original scent; if it smells a sickly sweet [rotted]).
* It helps to know how a specific tea will smell before you buy it. If you happen to buy a tea frequently, then you can check at the store if it has gone bad before buying it.
* If you are buying loose leaf tea, make sure you examine what you are putting in the pot. Rarely small objects, such as twigs, foil(depending on the wrapping), or insects can make their way into tea accidentally.