Which tea should I try first?
Start with a green tea or an oolong recommended for daily drinking, in the smallest bag available. Taste it a few times before buying more. What the tea types taste like →
How much leaf should I use?
About one generous teaspoon per cup, or roughly 5 grams per 150 millilitres, is a good starting point. Adjust by taste next time, not by guessing harder. How to brew →
What water temperature should I use?
Let the kettle cool a little for delicate green tea, around 80 to 85 degrees. Use water just off the boil for oolong, black tea, and pu-erh. How to brew →
Why does my tea taste bitter?
Usually the water was too hot, there was too much leaf, or the leaves sat in the water too long. Try cooler water or fewer leaves first, and pour the tea out instead of leaving the leaves in. How to brew →
What is gongfu brewing, and do I need it?
Gongfu brewing uses a small pot, more leaves, and many short infusions. You do not need it to enjoy tea. A mug gives you one steady, easy cup, and that counts too. Gongfu or mug? →
How many times can I steep the same leaves?
Often several times. Chinese tea is usually steeped more than once, and the second and third infusions are often the most interesting, once the leaves have fully opened. Gongfu or mug? →
What teaware do I actually need?
Three things: something to brew in, something to pour into, and cups. A mug with a strainer is enough to start; a small pot can come later. Teaware for beginners →
How do I buy tea without overpaying?
Buy small, look at whole leaves, smell them, and ask when they were picked or packed. Do not pay mainly for packaging or for impressive names on the label. How to buy →
How should I store tea?
Sealed, opaque, cool, dark, and away from strong smells. A tin in a kitchen cupboard is ideal. Finish what you open before opening more. How to store →
Why is tea served first to guests in China?
Tea often arrives before words do. That first cup is a welcome, a pause, and a way to make room for conversation. Why tea is served first →
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