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The Art of Steeping: How to make the perfect cup of tea
Unlike
other beverages such as wine or coffee, tea requires a little bit of
skill and knowledge. However, part of the experience of tea- that of
calming, focusing, and de-stressing, comes from taking the time to make
that perfect cup of tea. But how much time does it actually take? It
depends on how many infusions you want to make. Whole leaf teas will
yield 4 to sometimes 8 cups; Each infusion should take no more than 1
minute at a time. How much skill does it require? Skill, or Gong Fu (as
in Kung Fu) can range from high to low, like any other. The more you
practice and pay attention, as well as learn from professionals, the
more skillful you become. There are many methods of steeping tea,
ranging in tradition from region to region in China, and across
different ethnicities and cultures. Whether you are serving tea for
your guests at home, or partaking in a gong-fu style tea ceremony,
there are some basic rules of tea making that, when observed properly,
will ensure that your teas taste according to the quality at which they
were meant.
Steeping Instructions
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