Tea Tasting - Part 2

Tea tasting can be as extensive and detailed as wine tasting. During tea tasting you are looking for 4 main factors - look, feel, smell, taste.

Today we are going to talk about smell.

Smell the leaves before steeping. Do they smell grassy, smoky or sweet?

After steeping, take in the aroma of the tea deeply and enjoy the bouquet. Does the smell appeal to you? Examine the infused leaves for color and evenness. Color does not necessarily indicate the strength or body of the liquor, but every tea has a unique look, taste, and feel particular to that tea.

Over time you will not only smell quality but flavors that the mouth might overlook.

Olivia Vidal
© 2009 - 2010
Teaporia by Tea Time with Liv

How to Brew Tea

Start with cold water, or use bottled water.

Measure into the teapot 1 tsp. of loose tea for every cup you plan to pour. Some tea drinkers, especially those who take milk with their tea, add an extra spoon for the pot. If you're using a mesh tea ball, don't fill it more than halfway, to allow for complete expansion of the tea leaves.

For black teas, bring the water to a full boil. Remove the tea kettle from the heat as soon as the water begins to boil. Boiling all the oxygen out of the water will flatten the tea's flavor.

For green teas, remove the tea kettle from the heat BEFORE the water begins boiling.

Fill the pot with the boiling water. Cover the teapot and leave the tea to brew. In general, black teas are best brewed for 4 to 5 minutes; green teas should brew for no more than 3 minutes.

When the tea is ready, pour and serve all the tea. Remove the infuser from the water so that it does not over brew. Tea tends to taste bitter if it gets overbrewed.

A good-quality tea can be infused three to five times. Just add more boiling water. Let it steep for a little more time with each brew.