Tea Knowledge

Black tea is loved for its rich aroma, smooth texture, and comforting depth of flavor. Whether you are brewing Jin Jun Mei, Lapsang Souchong, or other Chinese black teas, proper brewing technique plays a major role in unlocking the tea’s full character. Traditional Chinese Gongfu brewing allows black tea to reveal layers of sweetness, fruitiness, floral aroma, and lingering complexity through multiple infusions. What You Need to Brew Black Tea Brewing black tea properly begins with simple but high-quality tools and fresh loose leaf tea. Gaiwan or small teapot Fairness pitcher (Gong Dao Bei) Small tasting cups Fresh filtered water Loose leaf black tea At Chaliland, we especially recommend Gongfu brewing for premium Chinese black teas such as Jin Jun Mei and Zhengshan Xiaozhong to fully appreciate their evolving aroma and sweetness. "Great black tea balances strength, sweetness, and elegance." — Prof. Chen Chuan Best Water Temperature for Black Tea Black tea generally requires hotter water than white tea or green tea because of its higher oxidation level. Water temperature: 90–100°C (194–212°F) Tea amount: 5–7 grams Brewing vessel: 100–150ml First infusion: 10–20 seconds Using fully heated water helps release the tea’s natural sweetness, malt notes, floral aroma, and smooth texture. "Water temperature determines whether tea becomes vibrant or dull." — Wu Juenong Step-by-Step Black Tea Brewing Warm the teaware with hot water. Add 5–7 grams of black tea leaves. Pour hot water over the tea leaves. Steep the first infusion for 10–20 seconds. Gradually increase brewing time for later infusions. Enjoy multiple infusions as the flavor evolves. High-quality Chinese black tea often develops richer sweetness and smoother texture after several infusions. "Tea reveals different dimensions with each infusion." — Chen Zongmao Common Mistakes When Brewing Black Tea Using low-quality tea leaves Steeping for too long Using stale or reheated water Using too little tea leaf Ignoring later infusions Proper brewing technique allows black tea to maintain balance without becoming bitter or flat. "Tea brewing is a craft shaped by precision and patience." — Lu Yu Conclusion Learning how to brew black tea properly allows you to fully experience the richness and complexity of traditional Chinese tea. With the right temperature, timing, and quality leaves, black tea reveals remarkable sweetness, aroma, and depth. Whether you enjoy floral Jin Jun Mei or smoky Zhengshan Xiaozhong, Gongfu brewing offers one of the best ways to appreciate authentic Chinese black tea. Sources Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University – Tea Science Research China National Tea Museum The Classic of Tea – Lu Yu Traditional Chinese Black Tea Brewing Documentation Editorial Note This article was compiled by the Chaliland Tea Research Team to help tea lovers better understand traditional Chinese black tea brewing methods.