Introduction to Easy Tea Brewing Methods

Many people might find themselves without the necessary tools or knowledge to brew tea, despite having acquired the tea itself. Of course, if one aims to achieve the perfect flavor and aroma, using traditional tea utensils such as a Gaiwan or a teapot would be ideal. However, there are situations where a perfect brewing method is not always necessary. For example, when drinking tea during work or when looking for a convenient option, knowing a simplified brewing method can be quite useful. In this article, I would like to introduce a method for brewing tea quickly and easily, even in busy or tool-lacking situations.

Brewing tea directly in a glass or a mug

All you need is a glass or a mug for this method. First, preheat the container by pouring boiling water into it, filling it about 80% full. Let it sit for 10 seconds, then discard the water. Next, add around 2 grams of tea leaves to the container and pour boiling water over them. Let it steep for 1-2 minutes. As the tea leaves infuse into the water, they will start to sink to the bottom. Initially, you may notice a few tea leaves floating, but try to avoid them as you drink. As you continue to drink, most of the tea leaves will settle at the bottom. After finishing a cup, you can pour hot water into the container again and continue brewing for 2-3 more cups, not just one. This method allows you to observe the tea leaves unfurling, making it a surprisingly enjoyable way to drink tea. Oolong Tea: Immediately after pouring hot water (as shown in the top picture), the tea leaves may float slightly, but as they infuse into the water, they will begin to sink and reach a state similar to the picture below. It is important not to add too many tea leaves as Oolong tea leaves tend to unfurl significantly. Interestingly, this brewing method is the most widely practiced way of drinking tea in China.

Chinese Tea is Not Powdery

In the case of Chinese and Taiwanese teas, the tea leaves are hand-plucked and processed to retain their original shape. As a result, it is rare for the tea leaves to float on the water's surface, and once the water infuses, the tea leaves will eventually sink to the bottom. Even with Japanese teas, such as lightly steamed teas processed to preserve their shape, you can use this method to brew them. Black tea can also be brewed in a glass or a mug. Immediately after adding hot water, you may notice some tea leaves floating, but they will quickly sink to the bottom.

It is usually not a problem to use non-heat-resistant glass

Many people may believe that if a glass is not heat-resistant, it will break when hot water is poured into it. In fact, if you look at the websites of glass manufacturers, you may find warnings that pouring boiling water into non-heat-resistant glass can cause it to break. However, based on my experience, I have never had a non-heat-resistant glass break. (Please note that this is my personal experience, and I have poured boiling water into various types of glasses hundreds of times without any breakage.) Of course, if you pour boiling water into a glass that is already very cold, such as in winter, it may break. If you have concerns, it is safer to preheat the glass with lukewarm water or water at around 60°C to reduce the temperature difference before using it with boiling water.