Practical tips for offering the best tea - Tétique

Jessica Calle
Consejos prácticos para ofrecer el mejor té - Tétique Consejos prácticos para ofrecer el mejor té - Tétique

Tea consumption is gaining ground, from pastries and cocktails to savory dishes. Consuming this beverage is associated with relaxation and well-being. However, among the varieties and origins available, they all have one thing in common: preparing them is a ritual. In this post, we bring you practical tips for serving the best tea – Tétique.

If we want to enjoy a good tea, we must follow some basic instructions to avoid damaging the leaf or spoiling its flavor.

1. Practical tips for offering the best tea. Choosing the right type of tea

It's important to consider the tea you choose. As practical tips for offering the best tea, you should know that there are several types, and they all have two properties in common: they are antioxidants and diuretics. It's recommended to try several types until you find the desired taste. You'll need to try several different tea flavors; this will help you determine which one is best for you.

Cup of tea

One of the most consumed teas is green tea, with a mild flavor and a color that ranges from golden to greenish tones. Chinese green tea is different from Japanese green tea; the difference lies in how it's made. For example, Chinese green tea is oven-dried, while Japanese green tea is steamed to prevent further oxidation and achieve a more flavorful taste.

Black tea's color is acquired through the oxidation process; its fresh leaves acquire a dark brown color. Darjeeling tea, from India, is worth trying; it's low in astringency, rich in flavor, and very aromatic.

There is also Pu Erh tea (erroneously called red tea), which originates in the Yunnan province of China. Its fermentation process leaves it with a strong, earthy flavor. Another option is Oolong tea, also known as blue tea, which originates in Fujian, China, and is produced through an oxidation process.

2. Water temperature is important

The leaves are important in tea, but so is the water we use. Saying that tea should be served hot doesn't mean the water should be boiled. Each type of tea requires its own temperature; for example, to steep oolong or pu-erh tea, the temperature should be between 90 and 95°C for 4 to 5 minutes.

Organic red fruit tea cup

Another example is green tea, which should ideally be between 75 and 85°C for about 2 or 3 minutes. White tea should also be brewed at the same temperature but should steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Black tea, on the other hand, is brewed at higher temperatures, around 95°C, but steeping time depends on the type. If it's Darjeeling tea, it should be brewed for 3 minutes, and if it's classic tea, it should be brewed for 4 to 5 minutes.

3. Practical tips for serving the best tea. The accessory does matter!

Just as there are many varieties of teas, there are also different prices. Some people like to pay more for these infusions, while others don't. Some customers think they can offset a high investment in tea by purchasing inexpensive accessories. However, this approach is a serious mistake. Buying good-quality accessories is important.

To prepare a good infusion, like other practical tips for offering the best tea , you need the right accessories. For example, the material of the teapot is important, because depending on the type of tea, the temperature can be lost slowly or quickly. For customers who prefer higher temperatures, it's best to use smaller teapots, such as those used in Gong Fu ceremonies. Another option to maintain the temperature is to preheat the accessories with hot water.

4. Reusing the leaves

Almost all types of tea can be steeped multiple times, with Pu Erh and Oolong teas being perfect for this. However, to do this, three factors must be taken into account.

  • The quantity. If you use enough tea, you can steep it several times, but if you use too much water, the number of times will be less.
  • The duration. If you let the tea steep for too long, it will be reused less often.
  • The size and volume of the accessory. These are very important factors; if you have a very small teapot, you'll be able to reuse the tea more often. For example, a Pu-erh tea can be steeped up to eight times. Green and white teas are the ones that can be steeped the least.

5. Practical tips for offering the best tea. Is it better to use loose leaves or tea bags?

Mug with eco tea bag

Tea tastes better in leaf form than in powder form. Since tea bags contain a limited amount of 3 grams, their flavor will be limited. However, the use of leaves in tea brewing (something done in Chinese culture) is linked to a ritual associated with relaxation. However, the fact that the tea is powdered (or ground) doesn't mean it's a negative, as some teas require it (such as Darjeeling) but are still equally exquisite.

6. Is it better not to sweeten it?

The last of the practical tips for serving the best tea concerns whether it's better to add sweetener or not. In this sense, sweetening it to hide its bitter taste is not correct. Generally, properly prepared tea doesn't require any type of sweetener. If its taste turns bitter, it's due to factors such as over-infusion or adding too much tea.

According to experts in the field, there are no bad teas, only bad ways to prepare them. If you want to offer teas and infusions to your customers in your bar, it's best to prepare them with good water and purchase them from reputable suppliers.

Let's have a cup of tea! Not sure which one to choose, or would you rather have them all? Tétique's Starter Packs are a great way to start trying them all.