The charm of old-school black tea comes from its precise recipe and unique brewing method. The key ingredient is cassia seeds, which give the tea a deep aroma and slight bitterness, holding precious memories for many. Now, you can easily brew authentic old-school black tea at home without spending a fortune outside. For those interested in how to make old-school black tea, please refer to the following guide:
Ratio of Black Tea / Cassia Seeds / Sugar
For 2,000 c.c. of water, the ratio of black tea, cassia seeds, and sugar is 40g, 15g, and 150g. For your first attempt, we recommend using this ratio, and then fine-tuning it to your personal taste. Everyone’s preferences vary; you might prefer a ratio of 20g, 8g, and 80g, or perhaps 50g, 20g, and 200g. Keep experimenting to find the best recipe that suits you.
How to Brew Old-School Black Tea
Basic Brewing Method: Bring the water to a boil, then turn off the heat and wait for the temperature to drop to about 90°C. Add the black tea bags and cassia seeds, cover the pot, and steep for 10 minutes. Open the lid and remove the tea bags (do not squeeze them). Add the sugar, stir well, and it’s ready to serve.
Advanced Brewing Method: Allowing brewed black tea to cool at room temperature tends to increase astringency. The advanced method involves factoring in the volume of ice cubes beforehand to brew a concentrated version of the tea, then adding ice cubes for rapid cooling (making the total liquid volume 2,000 c.c. after adding the ice), which reduces bitterness and astringency. Seal and refrigerate the cooled tea as soon as possible to maintain freshness. Add sugar when serving to enjoy a refreshing and crisp old-school black tea.
For those with higher quality standards: Use high-quality black tea, such as Assam black tea or Taiwan Tea No. 18. Steep the black tea and cassia seeds in 90°C hot water for 10 minutes. Add ice cubes to cool rapidly, then seal and store in the refrigerator. When serving, you can add honey or pan-roasted sugar (sugar that has been pan-roasted to produce caramel aromas via the Maillard reaction) to add a unique flavor and mouthfeel.
Tips for Brewing Old-School Black Tea
1. Although people often talk about “boiling” black tea, “steeping” is actually a more accurate term. Turn off the heat after the water boils, wait 1 to 2 minutes, and then add the black tea and cassia seeds. Do not boil the tea in rolling water, and do not stir the tea bags, as this will release the tea’s astringent flavors.
2. Remove the black tea and cassia seeds after steeping in the water for about 10 minutes; steeping for too long will similarly result in a bitter and astringent taste. When removing the tea, do not squeeze the liquid out of the tea bags. That liquid tends to be much more bitter and astringent, and trying to be frugal will only ruin a great pot of tea.
3. Both brown sugar and regular raw sugar have their fans; the key is that pan-roasting them creates a caramel aroma, making this style of old-school black tea taste even better. If you have even higher quality standards, try adding honey for a whole new world of flavor. Remember to add the sugar just before serving—do not add it while steeping the tea, or it will develop a sour, astringent taste.
Old-School Black Tea FAQ
I heard your black tea is great. Do you sell old-school black tea bags?
No, we only sell black tea. Cassia seeds and empty tea filter bags need to be purchased separately.
What is the ratio for old-school black tea and cassia seeds?
For 2,000 c.c. of water, the ratio of black tea, cassia seeds, and sugar is 40g, 15g, and 150g. Please refer to this ratio for your first try, and adjust according to your personal taste thereafter.
What does cassia seed taste like?
It has a slight bitterness and a taste somewhat resembling coffee, making it a wonderful addition to black tea. However, it is not suitable for pregnant women or individuals with low blood pressure.
Old-school black tea has a hint of coffee flavor, does it contain caffeine?
Cassia seeds taste a bit like coffee, but they are caffeine-free and will not cause insomnia.