I am not sure how to brew a pot of tea without breaking the pot from the heat of the water. I am talking specifically about using a fine china teapot. I know about rinsing the teapot with hot water beforehand but I tried this with another pot and then when I added boiling water to the pot I could hear it cracking inside slightly. This pot was beautiful and is still usable but I have another that I probably couldn"t replace that I would like to brew tea in but I am afraid to. How do I do it properly witout damaging a beautiful pot.
Scoring disabled. You must be logged in to score posts.
Let me start with the caveat: I haven't tried this with collectable or antique china teapots, making this at least second-hand advice, if not third-hand or more.
I believe that the trick is to actually use two pots--brew in one (a Brown Betty, for instance) and then strain it into the warmed china teapot for serving. The serving pot should be warmed with hot, not boiling, water.
Scoring disabled. You must be logged in to score posts.
I work with Taiwanese people. They sure can make a good pot of tea. Sometimes they treat me to really expensive tea they buy from an importer.
However, I didn't see their brewing method mentioned here.
They claim, you have to brew the tea, according to the instructions on this web page, for 2 minutes. Then throw away the water. Start over.
They made faces as they described to me how dirty tea leaves are. I visualized bugs walking around on the leaves, looking for a place to relieve themselves.
It seems like a terrible waste to me, but that's how everyone here does it. They're genuine chinese folks.
Myself, I prefer to keep the caffeine, and pretend the bugs found a place on the ground.
Scoring disabled. You must be logged in to score posts.
I will suggest one checks with reputable tea boutique store regarding the origin of the teas; or how they processed their teas etc. A slight 'rinse' of the tea might be necessary if the origin does not provide health certificate to their teas.
Just my two cent worth.
Jes
Scoring disabled. You must be logged in to score posts.
I think your question has more to do with the physics of heat than tea itself. The water hits the surface of the pot and the first surge of heat causes the surface to expand faster than the interior of the ceramic in the wall of the pot. To prevent this, you need to absorb the first jolt of heat. To do this, place a SILVER spoon (not stainless, etc.) in the pot and pour the hot water flowing over the spoon. I have used this method for years with no failure even on crystal tea pots.
Hope this helps
Scoring disabled. You must be logged in to score posts.
