Busy Bee Brew or Traditional Tea? Brewing Methods

If you thought the method of brewing tea was a one-and-one, well, think again. There are several methods to brew tea and they all start with a simple process, but require big changes. Here we examine the method behind the madness and how to brew your tea for the sacrality and sanity of your next beverage.

The Gong Fu Tea Chinese Style

So, this traditional method is focused on concentrated amounts of tea leaf brewed in small vessels for a short period of time. Some particular tea leafs will even be brewed over ten times just to hit the right flavor. What does Gong-Fu-Who mean? It literally translates to “Making tea with skill” which is exactly what the process requires.

The Best West Brew

This is the most simple, and easiest method of the brewing processes. The benefit? The Western Style is better than tea bags because it allows the tea leaves to expand naturally, with a creative and aromatic brew. The process is so simple that most cafes and restaurants choose this method to brew their tea. The Wacky West knows exactly what they are doing!

The Grandpa Style.. Zzz

The Grandpa Style is significant for its use of one big cup, that requires one big scoop of tea leaves. Put the leaves in the cup, add hot water and watch as the tea is seeped inside to create a loosely proportioned style of tea. Who prefers this style of brewing? The types of customers or drinkers that like to grab a cup on the go, or don’t have enough time to sit back for a full tea ceremony. Most farmers in China prefer this type of tea style, and locals would say the same.

Bashful Boiler's Style

If you have a stove, a pot, and a tea that screams “drink me,” then you are in for a treat. Boiling tea leaves is the most ancient method of making tea. In fact, back in the Tang Dynasty, people boiled tea leaves for long periods of time and even accompanied these leaves with additional things such as herbs, roots, fruits, and even chilis. On the other hand, a boiling brew session can last up to three hours and even longer in length than a Gong Fu tea ceremony. But, be picky before you pick your tea. Certain teas like white tea, oolong, and hei-cha are more likely to boil their leaves better than green and black tea variations.

The Bold Cold Brew

To make cold brew, this requires a pretty cold and bold process. First, you have to pour cold water over the tea leaves and leave it tucked inside the fridge for several hours. The difference between a hot and cold brew tea is that the water doesn’t extract as many catechins so it is then left with a sweet, flavorful, clean-tasting brew with lots of antioxidants. For the caff cliff hanger, cold brew does not have as much caffeine because the cold water does not extract as much as the hot water. The best teas for this brewing method are Japanese teas that seep nicely, and pretty well in the cold.

When choosing your tea, take a knee and delve into one of these brewing methods. You will just love the process when you find your own, and can try the methods until you find what is best suited for your style. Whether its hot or cold, sweet or bold, or a mix of it all in-between, take a look into the tea scene and find your herbal dream.