Key Facts
- Preparing tea correctly influences its taste, effect, and aroma.
- Water temperature, steeping time, and choice of vessel are crucial.
- Lid: yes or no? Depends on the type of tea.
- High-quality tea needs space, time, and attention.
With or without a lid.
The question of whether you should steep tea with or without a lid is not trivial – it determines the temperature profile, aroma depth and texture.
With lid:
- Keeps the temperature constant
- Promotes the development of volatile aromas
- Ideal for delicate teas: Oolong , green tea , white tea
Without lid:
- Allows for gentle cooling
- Reduces bitter substances in more robust varieties
- Ideal for: Pu-erh , black tea , flavored teas
Temperature & Brewing Time: The Quick Guide to Proper Tea Preparation
type of tea |
temperature | Pulling time | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green tea | 70–80°C | 1–2 minutes | Cooler, otherwise bitter |
| Oolong | 85–95°C | 2–4 minutes | Multiple infusions possible |
| White tea | 70–90°C | 2–5 minutes | Tender leaves, mild |
| Black tea | 90–100°C | 3–5 minutes | Strong, often without a lid |
| Pu-Erh (Shu) | 95–100°C | 20–40 seconds | In short, but several times |
| Pu-Erh (Sheng) | 90–95°C | up to 2 minutes | Younger: shorter, milder infusion |
Recommendations from the Noema product range
Variety |
drawing method |
Lid? |
| Tie Guan Yin | 85–90°C, 2–3 min, 2x | Yes |
| Milky Oolong | 90°C, 2–4 min, 2x | Yes |
| Da Hong Pao | 90–95°C, 2–3 min, 2x | Yes |
| Yunnan Pu Erh | 95–100°C, 20 sec., 3x | No |
| Pu Erh Menghai (Sheng) | 90–95°C, 1–2 min, 4x | No |
| Moonlit Sencha | 75°C, 1–2 min | Yes |
