Even the finest Oriental Beauty tea won’t taste good if brewed incorrectly—the wrong brewing method will fail to bring out the value of even the most expensive leaves. While both Oriental Beauty and oolong tea belong to the semi-fermented tea family, Oriental Beauty has a heavier fermentation level, requiring different water temperatures and leaf amounts. Master these two key factors, and you’ll be able to brew a delicious cup of Oriental Beauty tea every time.
Oriental Beauty doesn’t need boiling hot water; an ideal temperature is around 75°C to 80°C. Water that is too hot will make the tea overly strong and bitter. Therefore, after boiling the water, let it sit for about 5 minutes until the temperature drops to around 80°C before brewing. Use slightly less than half a pot of tea leaves. The initial steeping time is about 1 minute, with an additional 40 seconds for each subsequent brew. Generally, Oriental Beauty can be steeped 5 times or more.
In addition to traditional hot brewing, Oriental Beauty also makes a wonderful flavored tea. Adding champagne, milk, or honey creates a uniquely delicious flavor profile. Furthermore, Oriental Beauty is well-suited for cold brewing. To cold brew, place tea leaves filling about one-fifth of a pitcher, pour in ice water, and let it steep for about 5 minutes before serving. Alternatively, you can take the spent leaves from the 5th steep of the previous day, put them in a bottle of water, and store them in the refrigerator overnight. It makes a refreshing, deeply satisfying drink on a hot summer day.