Brewing Green Tea

Tea:

Choose one of our high-grade green teas from China, Japan or India. Choose your brew method. If you are trying a new tea for the first time, we suggest you adopt the multiple-brew method of reusing the leaves.

Single-serve brew method:

You serve once at the end of the brewing time to achieve maximum flavour.
Green teas can taste slightly astringent or bitter to a 'western palate'.
To reduce this effect, try the multiple-serve brewing method.

Multiple-serve brew method:

You serve and refill the teapot once or twice during the brewing time.
Simply refill or top-up the teapot after each serve.
Each serve has its own distinct character.
First serve highlights aroma.
Second serve strengthens the flavour.
Third serve tastes sweeter and stonger. Not all teas will take a third serve.

Teawares:

For green teas a smaller earthenware teapot is best.
Size to suit the number of cups needed.
Small 100ml shallow drinking bowls are best.

Water:

Choose pure, fresh water.
Boil the water, allow to cool for 1-2 minutes to 80-85degC.
Pre warm the teapot and drinking bowls.

Measure:

1/2 level teaspoon of tea per 100ml small drinking bowl.
1 level teaspoon of tea per 200ml cup or large drinking bowl.
Vary the quantity to vary the tea strength.

Single-serve brew:

Japan greens need only 30 seconds-2 minutes.
Most China and India greens need longer 3-4 minutes.
Pour hot water 80-85deg, over the leaves and time the brew.
After the correct brewing time, serve and drain the leaves. 

Multiple-serve brew:

First serve after 30 seconds-highlights aroma.
Refill teapot with hot water and continue brewing.
Second serve strengthens the flavour.
If the flavour is still improving, refill teapot with hot water and continue brewing.
Third brew tastes sweeter with a stonger flavour.
You can experiment with brewing times.

Serving:

Green teas take no milk or sugar.

Note:

Do not use boiling water, or you risk scalding the delicate leaf qualities which give green tea its character.