Chinese Tea Brewing Guide

The brewing guide serves as a foundation. Once you've grasped the essentials, feel free to experiment and tailor your brewing to your preference. Cheers!

Tea Type

Water Temp
°C/°F

Grams of Tea
per 125 ml / 4 oz
Water

1st Brew
Steep Time
(Seconds)

+ Brew
Steep Time
(Seconds)

# of
Brews

Teapot
Recommended

Black Tea

95°C/203°F

3g

20 to 30

+30

3 to 4

Porcelain or Terracotta

Flower Buds Tea

90°C/194°F

2g to 3g

60

+60

2

Glassware or Porcelain

Green Tea

80°C/176°F

3g

20

+20 to 30

3 to 4

Glassware or Porcelain

Herbal Tea

85°C/185°F

3g

60

+90

2

Glassware or Porcelain

Iron Buddha Tea

95°C/203°F

6g

15 to 20

+20

5 to 7

Porcelain or Terracotta

Jasmine Tea

85°C/185°F

4g

25

+35

3 to 4

Glassware or Porcelain

Ku Ding One Leaf Tea

95°C/203°F

1 piece

60

+90

3 to 4

Porcelain

Luk On Tea

95°C/203°F

7g

30 to 40

+30

5 to 6

Terracotta or Porcelain

Oolong Tea

95°C/203°F

6g

10 to 15

+20

6 to 7

Terracotta or Porcelain

Pu-erh Tea Loose

100°C/212°F

5-6g

45

+60

3 to 4

Terracotta or Porcelain

Pu-erh Tea Cake - Cooked

100°C/212°F

5g

20

+30

6 to 7

Terracotta or Porcelain

Pu-erh Tea Cake - Raw

95°C/203°F

5g

10 to 15

+15 to 20

6 to 7

Terracotta or Porcelain

White Tea

80°C/176°F

4g

30

+40 to 45

5 to 6

Glassware or Porcelain

Yellow Tea

80°C/176°F

4g

20

+20 to 30

3 to 4

Glassware or Porcelain

Brewing Steps

Tips on making the perfect pot of Chinese tea. Teas within each category are unique. please use this is as a guide to match individual tastes.

  1. Always start by cleaning and washing the tea pot with boiling water.

  2. Place a generous pinch of tea leaves in the warm pot and rinse them with hot water. This action brings out the initial flavour of tea leaves.

  3. Add hot water a second time, at the correct temperature.

  4. Depending on the type of tea leaves, the amount of water used also varies.

  5. Proper brewing time is essential.

  6. Warm tea cups with hot water.

  7. Never fill up a cup at a time. Arrange the cups in a circle and pour the brew out in a continuous circular motion.

  8. In other words, pour a small amount of tea into each cup in a few rounds until they are full. This ensures the taste of the tea is perfectly balanced.