Tea and Individuality

The most famous The distinctive rich aroma and slightly larger leaves are unique to this varietal. The most famous Oolong tea Tie Guan Yin is from the special varietal only grown in Anxi county of Fujian Province. The distinctive rich aroma and slightly larger leaves are unique to this varietal. The most famous Oolong tea Tie Guan Yin is from the special varietal only grown in Anxi county of Fujian Province.

The distinctive rich aroma and slightly larger leaves are unique to this varietal. The most famous Oolong tea Tie Guan Yin is from the special varietal only grown in Anxi county of Fujian Province. The distinctive rich aroma and slightly larger leaves are unique to this varietal. The most famous Oolong tea Tie Guan Yin is from the special varietal only grown in Anxi county of Fujian Province.

The silvery hair on the young buds is unique to this varietal. The White tea comes from a special varietal called "Big White Tea Tree" originally grown in Taimu Mountain of Fujian province in China. The elevation, climate and soil are the main factors that determine the tea varietals. Even though tea is from a single plant called camellia sinensis, there are many varietals.
In addition, different processing method produces different type of tea. The most popular classification of tea is based on the level of oxidation which produces Green , White, Yellow, Oolong, Black and Pu-er tea. Within each type of tea, there are many variations too due to the variation in varietal, oxidation and processing technique.
Combining the different tea tree varietals and processing methods, there are literally hundreds of teas for us to choose and enjoy. They all come in different color, shape and form, aroma and flavor and are all healthy. The well known ones include Tie Guan Yin (aka Iron Goddess of Mercy or aka Iron Buddha), Silver Needle, White Peony, Dragon Well and Big Red Robe among others. There are a lot more teas that are as individual and as precious as the well known ones.
Due to the individuality of each tea, the steeping method, steeping time, water temperature, water and leaf ratio vary accordingly in order to get the best health benefits and enjoyment out of the brew.
This teaches us about individuality and how we should take great care of it.
As human beings, we share a lot of commonalities such as intelligence, feeling. We all have similar physical, social and spiritual needs. At the same time, each and every one of us is different in our color, culture, upbringing and ideology. Recognition and respect for individuality is fundamental for healthy human relations. This applies to relationship of all kinds such as state to state, parent to children, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
When we forget or ignore individuality, we become unforgiving, impatient, arrogant and ignorant. When we are aware of other people's individuality, we tend to be kinder, more patient and more tolerating.
Their individuality should be recognized and respected with great care. They have different temper, different interest and different need. I also learned a hard lesson that a parent should not apply the same approach and standard to all children. It is amazing that they are so different in many aspects the minute they come into the world.

As a father of two boys, I have come to know the big difference in my sons and the need for individualized care.
The same goes with individuality within a team, an organization, a community and a society.
Individuality is what makes the world so diverse, colorful and beautiful. Let's cherish, celebrate and enjoy the individuality of tea, of nature and of people.
Jay is a tea lover and the owner of
Taimu Tea
- a premium Chinese tea store that focuses on tea knowledge, news and education in addition to providing quality fresh teas from Taimu Mountain and its surrounding areas in Fujian province of China.

http://www.taimutea.com
tea@taimutea.com

When Water Meets Tea

But here are the alternatives for us city folk: The best possible water to use for infusing tea is well water.
Tips for a pure brew:
* Tea leaves love spring water, so use it if you have it available. This is my first choice because it is the next best thing to well water.
* Use purified or filtered water. Don't use water directly from your tap unless you live in an area where tap water is drinkable. Your tap water may be absolutely fine for other things like boiling pasta or steaming veggies, but could have contaminants that will make your tea taste funny. The easiest solution for most people is a Brita pitcher with a built-in filter. They are widely available.
This oxygenates water that has been sitting in your pipes. * Run tap water for 30 seconds before putting into your kettle (assuming your filter is attached to your faucet).
* Distilled water does not make good tea. It does not have its minerals and can make a flat-tasting pot of tea.
Use the best water you can in your teapot and you are halfway to a divine infusion.
Temperature, Quantity, Timing
Just as important as water quality is water temperature, amount of tea, and timing your steep.
I recommend beginning with the rule of thumb for your type of tea and start experimenting from there.
When I began, I had no idea idea how to brew and I over steeped green tea many times. (I pour undrinkable tea into my potted geraniums. They love it and it doesn't go to waste.)
Your green or white tea will get bitter fast when it meets too-hot water. This is one of my pet peeves in establishments using scalding water for their tea service. Use a candy or meat thermometer to measure the temperature (at least in the beginning).
Green/white tea * 160 - 175 F (70 - 80 C) * Steep for 1-3 minutes
Oolong tea
* 180 - 190 F (82 - 88 C)
* Steep for 3-5 minutes
Black tea * 212F (but don't let it boil too long) (100 C) * Steep for 3-5 minutes
The quantity of tea you put in your teapot will make a difference. In general, I put approximately 1 teaspoon and a slight bit more per cup of water in a Yixing Teapot or my grandmother's tiny Brown Betty. (Both are clay pots, one unglazed and one glazed.)
It's up to you! Black tea can handle longer steeping. Longer steeping equals bitter green or white tea. A stronger brew may be desirable when cooking with tea, making iced tea, or it may just be your preference.

More tea equals a stronger brew.
copyright 2006 Terry Calamito
TO USE THIS ARTICLE KEEP RESOURCE BOX AND LIVE LINK INTACT. Tea Educator and Healthy Lifestyle Advocate Terry Calamito publishes the fr*ee online mini-course "Start Sipping." If you're a tea lover or just want to increase your knowledge about tea's health benefits and maybe slow down a little to have a cup, subscribe for free at
http://www.switchtotea.com

Green Tea Brewing Guide

Green tea is believed to have many healthful benefits. If you have ever tasted a good cup of green tea it can be reviving and delicious. However the delicate nature of this tea does demand a certain watchful eye when preparing it. Here is an easy to follow guide on how to brew an outstanding cup of green tea.
• Use high quality tea a lesser quality will not yield as good a flavor.
• If using lesser quality, boil water and steep for a longer period of time. This will help extract the flavors.
Steep for about half the time recommended, if let go too long the flavor will turn bitter and sharp. Gently heat the water and steep the tea. • When using the preferred high quality tea do not boil the water.
• Never use an aluminum pot to boil water. It will change the flavor of the tea. A cooper pot is ideal.
• Use only porcelain or ceramic to steep the tea.
If the steam is drifting straight up the water is at the proper temperature. To ascertain the proper water temperature, check the direction of the steam. • If the water does boil allow it to cool for 1-3 minutes before adding the tea.