Hello everyone,
This is Andy, a tea enthusiast, sharing some buying and drinking tips for those new to tea.
▸ How Can Beginners Recognize Quality Tea?
Good tea should be affordable, pleasant to drink, and easy on the stomach.
Try drinking Taiwanese oolong on an empty stomach; if it feels comfortable, it’s a good sign.
Trust your taste buds—if you naturally like the flavor, it's probably a quality tea.
My personal tip?
Consider the vibe of the brand or business. If you get a positive impression, that’s a good start.
▸ How Can Beginners Ensure They’re Buying Genuine Taiwanese Tea?
Although testing is one way to confirm authenticity,
a seller’s reputation and the tea’s price can also be indicators.
Check the seller’s website, media coverage, and the company’s founding date.
High prices don’t always mean genuine Taiwanese tea,
but if it’s too cheap, it’s likely not authentic.
▸ What Should Beginners Watch for When Buying Tea?
Key things to consider are pesticide use,
factory hygiene, product legality, and attention to production details.
▸ How Should Beginners Store Tea?
Store tea in a foil bag, seal it tightly with a clip,
and keep it dry; refrigeration isn’t necessary.
Avoid paper cans, as they tend to absorb moisture.
Remove any oxygen absorbers—small packets with iron powder that can harden over time.
▸ What Should Beginners Do if They Find Expired Tea?
Taiwanese oolong tea technically doesn’t expire;
labels must include a "best by, expiry date" date due to regulations,
but tea is only harmful if moldy.
If the flavor has faded, try cold-brewing it or lightly roasting the tea leaves in a rice cooker on a sheet of white paper to bring out the aroma again.
▸ How Should Beginners Brew Tea?
There are various methods: hot brew, cold brew, concentrated brew, and regular brew.
• Hot Brew: Steep with boiling water for a short time to bring out a strong flavor and aroma. Longer brewing may increase bitterness.
• Cold Brew: Steep in room temperature water for 4 hours or more. This gives a sweet taste, with no bitterness and a lighter aroma.
• Concentrated Brew: Use 0.06g of tea per 1ml of water, steep for 50 seconds to get an espresso-like strength.
• Regular Brew: Use 0.01g of tea per 1ml of water, steep for over 6 minutes for a milder flavor like American coffee.
If you don’t have a scale, one tea pellet is around 0.2g.
Start with a small amount and adjust based on your taste.
▸ How Should Beginners Taste Tea?
Observe the color of the tea, inhale the aroma,
take a small sip first, then take a larger gulp.
Avoid slurping unless necessary.
▸What’s the Best Water for Brewing?
High-quality water for tea doesn’t have to be imported;
spring water or regular mineral water is fine.
If tea brewed with it looks pale, the water may be too soft.
If it darkens after standing overnight, the water is too hard.
The ideal water hardness for tea is 60-120 ppm.
▸ What Tea Tools Should Beginners Buy?
Avoid plastic containers.
For stronger tea, use a ceramic or clay teapot,
such as purple clay, although a mid-range teapot (around $30–$60 USD) is sufficient.
If convenience is preferred, a heat-resistant mug or large pitcher is also suitable.
Simply add a small amount of tea, pour in boiling water,
and wait for the leaves to unfurl.
To start, there’s no need to buy a full tea set. You can use these alternatives:
• Tea Pitcher: Use a milk jug to pour tea.
• Tea Tray: Use a cloth, handkerchief, piece of wood, or tile as your tea area.
• Tea Pick: Use chopsticks or a small spoon for hygienic handling of tea leaves.
• Tea Towel: A thick towel works well.
• Wastewater Bowl: Use a large bowl for discarded tea and leaves.
▸ How Can Beginners Gift Tea?
If you're not sure of the recipient’s preferences,
consider choosing a mild-flavored tea,
such as lightly fragrant teas, high mountain tea, Jin Xuan,
or lightly fragrant oolong,
as these varieties have a delicate taste that’s widely appreciated.
For seasoned tea drinkers,
you might go for a well-known tea type with a higher price point and elegant packaging.
This thoughtful selection will let the recipient sense the care behind your choice,
and they can always look up the details of your gift to appreciate it further.
Hope these tips help and see you next time.
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