Many seasoned tea lovers discard the first steep of Pu-erh tea (often called “waking the tea” or “rinsing the tea”). Why do they do this? Is the first steep really undrinkable? Actually, as long as the tea leaves are clean, the first steep of Pu-erh is perfectly fine to drink, and there is no strict rule that you must pour it out. However, many people choose to discard it for four main reasons: flavor, cleanliness, waking the tea, and peace of mind.
Why do many people discard the first steep of Pu-erh tea?
| Remove impurities | Pu-erh tea may pick up dust or impurities during production and storage. Especially with aged Pu-erh that has been stored for years or even decades, fine dust and impurities are almost inevitable. Therefore, many people use hot water in the first steep to rinse the leaves, and naturally, this first infusion is discarded rather than drunk. |
| Wake the tea and release aromas | Pu-erh tea is usually compressed tightly into tea cakes or bricks, and the leaves need to unfurl to release their optimal flavor. A quick rinse with hot water during the first steep allows the leaves to expand rapidly, helping to release their aroma and make subsequent infusions taste even better. |
| Remove “pile taste” or unwanted odors | Ripe Pu-erh undergoes a “piled fermentation” process, and some teas often carry a distinct “pile taste” (the scent of fermentation and storage). Many people dislike this flavor, so they use a quick first steep to wash it away. |
| Traditional habit for greater peace of mind | In the past, some Pu-erh teas might develop mold due to improper storage, leading to upset stomachs or other health issues. As a result, “rinsing the tea” became a habitual practice for older generations of tea drinkers. While high-quality modern Pu-erh rarely has this problem, many people still rinse the first brew for peace of mind, or simply as part of their tea-drinking ritual. |
So, should you discard the first steep of Pu-erh tea?
If you have confidence in the quality of your Pu-erh tea, you actually don’t need to pour out the first steep. However, if its origin is uncertain or the storage conditions are questionable, it is recommended to discard that first steep. Simply put, “whether to pour it out depends on your taste and needs”—there are no rigid rules!