So, I’ve been experimenting with brewing oolong tea lately, and let me tell you, getting the water temperature just right makes a world of difference. I started by heating up some water on the stove. I aimed for something between 190°F to 200°F (that’s about 88°C to 93°C for those using Celsius).
I didn’t want it boiling, though. From what I read, using boiling water can make the tea bitter, and nobody wants that! I grabbed my trusty kitchen thermometer and kept a close eye on it as the water heated up.
While the water was heating, I got my tea leaves ready. I used about a teaspoon of some nice, rolled oolong I picked up. I heard that if you’ve got the more open-leaf type, you might want to use a bit more, like a couple of tablespoons. I used a strainer to help with the brewing process.
Once the water hit the right temperature range, I poured it over the tea leaves in my cup. I heard some folks like to give the leaves a quick rinse with hot water before brewing them. It’s supposed to get rid of any dust and help “wake up” the leaves. I tried this, and noticed it removed some of the dust and dirt that was on the leaves.
- Heat water to 190°F to 200°F (88°C to 93°C)
- Use 1 teaspoon of rolled oolong (or 2 tablespoons of open leaves)
- Rinse tea leaves with hot water (optional)
Now, here’s where I played around a bit. I let the tea steep for about three to five minutes. I know it might sound random, but I would check in on the color and smell each minute to see how it was doing. I’ve learned that steeping time is super important because it can also affect how bitter the tea gets. I know for green tea you would use cooler water, like 170-185, but for oolong it seems a bit hotter is the way to go. I’ve even read that some darker oolongs, like Wuyi or Da Hong Pao, can handle temperatures up to 200°F. It’s all a bit of trial and error, but I tried my best to keep track of my tests.
After a few tries, I found that my sweet spot was around 195°F and steeping for about four minutes. The tea came out with a really nice, smooth flavor. Not bitter at all! I also experimented a little bit with adding some other flavors to the tea. The first thing I tried was a little honey, which was great for some added sweetness. I also tried a splash of lemon and that was really refreshing. If I were feeling fancy, maybe I’d try some cinnamon or ginger next time. Overall I’m pretty happy with my results.
The Perfect Brew (For Me)
- Water temp: 195°F (90°C)
- Steep time: 4 minutes
- Extras: A touch of honey or a squeeze of lemon
Anyways, that’s been my little oolong tea adventure. It’s been fun figuring out what works best for me. If you’re into oolong, I definitely recommend playing around with the water temperature and steeping time to see what you like best!
