10 things you need to know about tea

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If you’re an ardent fan of teh–peng or green tea, find out what else you should know to appreciate your brewed beverage even more.  

(PHOTO: JENNIFER CHASE FOR THE WASHINGTON POST)

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1) TRY FIRST

Tea experts advise visiting a tea retailer to sample different teas in person, or, if buying online, get one-ounce (28g) samples.

(PHOTO: JENNIFER CHASE FOR THE WASHINGTON POST)

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2) IT'S CAFFEINATED

Tea has caffeine in it, but the nature of tea can make it difficult to measure caffeine levels. But even black tea, which has the highest levels of caffeine, still has about half as much as coffee.

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3) TEA VERSUS COFFEE

In general, tea caffeine ranges from 30mg in an 237ml cup of white tea to 90mg in some types of black tea. Coffee has 150 to 200mg of caffeine per cup.

 

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4) HOW MUCH TO USE

As a rule, plan on 1 teaspoon of tea leaves for every 120ml of water.

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5) BLACK TEA

The leaves are withered, then fully oxidised and dried, with dark colours and robust flavours. Steep with fully boiling water (100 deg. C) for three to five minutes.

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6) GREEN TEA

With a more herbaceous flavour, these leaves are toasted, roasted or steamed, but not oxidised, thereby preserving the green colour. Oversteeping can make it bitter, so steep in water that is 70 to 80 deg.C for up to two minutes, tasting every 30 seconds to check the flavour.

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7) WHITE TEA

Young and/or minimally processed tea leaves, with delicate and more floral flavours. Steep in water that is 80 to 85 deg.C, for no more than three minutes.

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8) OOLONG TEA

Falling between green and black teas, oolong is partially oxidised and features a wide range of flavours, from fruity to smoky, depending on how long it was oxidised. Steep in water that is 82 to 88 deg.C for one to five minutes.

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9) PU-ER TEA

Like wine, pu-erh is fermented. The aged green tea has a rich, earthy flavour. Steep for 30 seconds in boiling water, then discard that and add more boiling water, this time steeping for 45 to 50 seconds. The leaves can be reused, but add 15 to 20 seconds for each subsequent steeping.

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10) TISANE

Not a true tea, a tisane is made from herbs, flowers, spices or grains such as chamomile, rooibos, honeybush or peppermint. Steep in boiling water for three to five minutes.

 

Article by Washington Post, originally appeared in The Straits Times.