Tea Knowledge: Brewing Tea: Should You Cover the Tea Bowl After the Tea Infusion Is Drained?

Tea brewing is a science, and every detail can affect the flavor of the tea. When brewing tea in a gaiwan, should you cover the tea bowl after the tea is brewed?

This seemingly simple question is fraught with controversy.

◆ The Controversy of Covering or Not Covering Tea Bowls

In the tea world, there are two main camps regarding whether to cover the tea bowl after brewing tea in a gaiwan: those who believe in covering the tea bowl and those who believe in covering the tea bowl.

• Covering the Tea Bowl

01. Removing Unwanted Flavors

Lifting the lid after the tea is brewed allows some green or tangy notes in the tea to dissipate, enhancing the aroma.

02. Prolonging the Tea's Steady Life

High temperatures accelerate the release of internal compounds. Lifting the lid to cool the tea leaves allows the aroma and flavor of the next brew to be better stimulated.

03. Keeps the Tea Fresh and Refreshing

This prevents the tea leaves from becoming stale and bitter, maintaining a fresh and refreshing taste.

• Covered Lid Pie

01. Preserves Aroma

Opening the lid at an angle, leaving a gap, prevents the tea leaves from becoming stale and locks in the aroma.

02. Facilitates the Extraction of Ingredients

When brewing older or coarser leaves, covering the lid accelerates the extraction of the ingredients, enriching the tea.

03. Good Tea Never Fears Staleness

If the tea is of good quality, covering the lid will not affect it and can also be used to test its quality. If the taste is not affected, it is a good tea.

◆ Tailor the Tea: Handling Different Tea Types

01. Uncover the Cover for Delicate Tea Leaves

Teas with delicate buds and leaves, such as premium green teas like Longjing, Biluochun, and Maojian, delicate black teas, and top-bud teas like premium Baihao Yinzhen, must always be uncovered after brewing.

These top-bud teas are rich in refreshing substances like amino acids. Lifting the lid quickly dissipates heat, preventing the leaves from becoming suffocated and yellowed, which can lead to a bitter taste, and preserving their freshness to the greatest extent possible.

02. Cover Mature Teas at an Angle

Teas with mature buds and leaves and a strong aroma, such as shengpu, black tea, white peony, and lightly fermented oolong teas, are relatively heat-resistant. When brewing, cover the tea at an angle, leaving a gap to prevent the leaves from becoming suffocated and retaining their aroma.

03. Coarse and Aged Tea Leaves Can Be Covered

For white teas, black teas, aged Pu'er teas, and fully-fired rock teas made from relatively coarse and aged raw materials, it's recommended to cover the tea completely after brewing. Covering the tea completely after brewing helps maintain temperature, awaken and extract the tea's internal components, and enhance the tea's richness and flavor. If there's an odor when the tea is awakened, remove the lid slightly to disperse the odor.

◆ Tea Brewing Tips

1. In winter, when temperatures are low, cover the tea slightly to maintain temperature; in summer, remove the lid more often to dissipate heat.
2. When entertaining guests and using a large pot for a large group, it's recommended to leave the tea leaves uncovered. When drinking alone or with a small group, use a covered bowl for flexibility.
3. The taste of the tea determines whether to cover the teapot: If it has a dull or bitter taste, adjust the lid.

Conclusion:

There's no absolute right or wrong way to cover the teapot after brewing. The key is to adjust according to the characteristics of the tea leaves and your personal experience and preferences during brewing.