Let's brew serious teas seriously, but drink serious teas less seriously!
The Art and Science of Brewing
The Brewing Parameters
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Temperature
Different temperature extracts from the leaves different organic compounds, which are responsible for the flavours and fragrance! Too hot temperature for delicate leaves, like greens, evaporate or destroy more volatile compounds. Too low temperature for more oxidized teas does not fully extract the whole range of flavours.
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Steeping Time
The right steeping time extracts the right proportion and combination of organic compounds for the right balance of flavours - the perfect balance can vary according to individual preference! No right or wrong answers here!
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Leaf/Water Proportion
Does water extract water-soluble organic compounds more quickly from larger or smaller leaves? Smaller leaves of course, due to the larger surface-area to water ratio! Brew with more leaves for larger-leaf teas and steep longer, and vice versa.Â
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Water Quality
Water with more total dissolved solids, like mineral water, extracts more slowly than water with lower mineral content. At the same time, minerals present can change the flavours or texture of water. For example, water with more minerals can feel more rounded; water with more sodium or potassium tends to be saltier.Â
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Information Card
Individually calibrated for each tea.
Not sure how to brew? Fret not! Each tea comes with recommended brewing instructions with the following 3 parameters:
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1. Tea Leaves amount for 100ml of water
2. Temperature
3. Steeping time
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The instructions are calibrated for kungfu-style brewing, which means leaves are steeped multiple times to bring out evolving flavours from the leaves with each steep!
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Brewing tea with a bigger teapot? We would suggest steeping the teas longer, adjusted based on the proportion of tea leaves to water. For example, if you are brewing with a 300ml tea pot, 3x the steeping time!
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Tasting notes information are included to guide the experience! As taste is subjective, do steep longer for stronger flavours. Temperature adjustmenets can also be made: drop temperature to reduce harsher flavours or increase temperature for more intense notes!
Simple Brewing Steps
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With the Gaiwan
With the teapot