Many of us have had the experience of brewing tea with older generations who habitually discard the first brew, mostly out of fear of pesticide residues, and occasionally to wash away dust and impurities. Is this really necessary? Can you drink the first steep of tea?
Can You Drink the First Brew of Tea? Should You Worry About Pesticide Residues?
To determine whether the first brew of tea should be discarded, let’s examine this myth through the lens of pesticide types, tea processing methods, and the brewing process.
Does the first steep wash away pesticide residues? Common pesticides are either fat-soluble or water-soluble. Taiwanese tea predominantly uses fat-soluble pesticides, which practically do not dissolve into the tea liquor. Unless you are directly consuming the tea leaves themselves (such as matcha or tea powder), there is no need to worry about these pesticides entering your drink.
Hygiene Considerations in Tea Processing
In the past, tea-making processes were relatively rudimentary, making contact with dust or airborne contaminants almost inevitable. While these pollutants had minimal health impacts, older generations held onto the habit of discarding the first steep as a necessary cleaning step. However, modern Taiwanese tea processing has made tremendous progress, making such concerns virtually negligible. From my personal visits to tea factories, neither tea farmers nor the tea masters themselves ever throw away the first brew.
Tea Etiquette and Personal Habits
In tea culture, some people discard the first infusion as a courtesy to guests, allowing the tea’s flavor profile to unfold more fully in the second and third steeps. Even so, this is merely a matter of habit or etiquette rather than something backed by science.
Aroma and Nutrients in the First Brew
The first brew of tea generally offers the highest aroma and rich nutritional components. Based on the steeping characteristics of tea leaves, the first brew best presents high-quality aromatic compounds. From a quality perspective, pouring away the first brew is truly a waste.
Can you drink the first brew of tea? Taiwanese tea doesn't need rinsing, but other origins...
It is not recommended to pour away the first brew of tea. Taiwan’s pesticide management and production processes effectively ensure the safety of tea leaves; discarding the first brew has no scientific basis and wastes the aroma and flavor of good tea. However, if the tea comes from regions with lax pesticide regulations or poorer hygiene standards, then you might want to rinse it once!