In China's vast and profound tea culture, tea tasting is not only a kind of enjoyment of life, but also a kind of spiritual sustenance. The tea ceremony, an ancient and profound art, is a fusion of philosophy, aesthetics and the wisdom of life. However, in the process of exploring the essence of the tea ceremony, it is easy to focus on the varieties of tea, the production process and the techniques of making tea, while ignoring a crucial element - water.
Water, as a medium for making tea, has a decisive impact on the taste and quality of tea. Just as a beautiful painting needs high-quality canvas and pigments to be presented, a good cup of tea also needs good water to bring out its unique charm. In the world of the tea ceremony, good water is like an unknown craftsman, using its purity and gentleness to build a perfect stage for tea.
1. Good water enhances the taste of tea
The effect of good water on the taste of tea is multifaceted. First of all, the hardness of water will directly affect the solubility of the active ingredients in the tea. Taking Longjing tea as an example, this green tea, which is known for its freshness and tenderness, if it is brewed with water that is too hard, its rich minerals may combine with tea polyphenols and other substances in the tea to form compounds that are not easily dissolved, which will affect the taste and color of the tea. On the contrary, the use of soft water can better extract the flavor substances in the tea leaves, so that the tea soup presents a delicate and smooth taste.
Secondly, the pH of water is also a factor that cannot be ignored. Different tea leaves have different requirements for the pH value of water. For example, when brewing oolong tea such as Da Hong Pao, it is suitable to use water with a slightly lower PH value, which will help the dissolution of tea polyphenols, caffeine and other substances, making the tea soup more mellow and sweet. For some green and white teas, it is suitable to use water with a pH value close to neutral to maintain its fresh taste and aroma.
Second, good water adds a sense of ritual to making tea
The tea ceremony is not only a display of skill, but also a spiritual pursuit. In the process of making tea, good water can not only enhance the quality of the tea soup, but also add endless charm to the ceremony. Imagine that in the early morning sun, you take out a cake of aged Pu'er tea and brew it with a scoop of clear spring water from the deep mountains. With the infusion of hot water, the tea leaves slowly stretch in the cup, giving off an enchanting aroma. At this moment, you feel as if you are in an intimate conversation with nature, feeling the tranquility and harmony brought by the tea ceremony.
Good water not only adds a sense of ritual to the tea making process, but also allows tea tasters to focus more on the flavor and changes of the tea itself. Every time the water is poured and every soup is made, it is as if it is a spiritual communication with the tea leaves, which makes people intoxicated and unable to extricate themselves.
3. Selection and appreciation of good water
When choosing the right water, we need to consider a number of factors, including the source of the water, the treatment process, and the mineral content. Which of the many bottled waters on the market are good choices for making tea?
First of all, we can focus on bottled water brands that have undergone rigorous treatment processes to ensure pure water quality. These waters usually have a moderate hardness and pH to bring out the original flavor of the tea. For example, Nongfu Spring, Baisui Mountain and other well-known domestic brands, whose water quality is stable and reliable, are one of the best choices for making tea.
In addition, we can also try some water with special origins, such as glacier water, mineral water, etc. These waters are often rich in minerals and trace elements, which can add a unique taste and nutritional value to the tea. Of course, when choosing this type of water, we need to pay attention to whether its mineral content is moderate to avoid negatively affecting the taste of the tea soup.
In addition to bottled water, some tea lovers also like to collect natural water sources such as rainwater and snow water to make tea. The water is naturally pure, contains certain minerals, and can sometimes bring unexpected effects to the tea soup. However, when using natural water sources, we need to ensure their safety and hygienic conditions to avoid damage to the tea and the human body.
Fourth, the perfect combination of good water and tea
In the world of the tea ceremony, the perfect combination of good water and tea leaves can present the best taste and quality. Different teas need to be paired with different types of water to bring out their unique flavor. For example, Pu'er tea is suitable for brewing with water with a slightly higher PH value to accelerate the oxidation of theaflavins and thearubigins in the tea, making the tea soup more mellow and soft. Green tea, on the other hand, is suitable for using water with a moderate pH value to maintain its fresh taste and green soup color.
In addition, in the process of brewing tea, we can also further optimize the taste and quality of the tea soup by adjusting parameters such as water temperature and brewing time. This requires tea lovers to constantly explore and summarize in practice to find the most suitable method for making tea for their taste.
Fifth, good water leads the mood of the tea ceremony
Good water can not only improve the quality of tea soup, but also lead us into a more peaceful and harmonious state of mind of the tea ceremony. In the process of making and tasting tea, we need to let go of the distractions of the outside world, talk to ourselves, and feel the inner peace and tranquility. Good water flows quietly like a wise man in the depths of our hearts, helping us to wash away the dust and purify the mind.
The tea ceremony is humane, and tasting tea is like tasting life. In the world of the tea ceremony, we can understand the true meaning of life and the wisdom of life. As one of the important elements of making tea, good water is the bridge and link that leads us to this realm. Through careful selection of water sources, careful brewing of tea, and meditation on tea tasting, we can experience more deeply the spiritual resonance and spiritual nourishment brought by tea ceremony culture.
The importance of good water in the tea ceremony is self-evident, it can not only improve the taste quality of the tea soup, but also add a sense of ritual to make tea, so that we can experience the tea ceremony culture more deeply. When choosing good water, we should choose according to the type of tea and personal taste preferences, so as to achieve the effect of the perfect combination of tea and water. More importantly, good water leads us to a more tranquil and harmonious state of mind in the tea ceremony, allowing us to understand the true meaning of life and the wisdom of life in the process of tasting tea. Through the above discussion, we can see how good water can lead us to taste the real world of tea ceremony, and feel the gift from nature and the nourishment of the soul.