The flavor of black tea is mostly determined inside the pot. The "jumping" of tea leaves, which occurs when they move up and down due to the convection of hot water, allows for better extraction of aroma and components. The choice of tools is based on whether they assist this jumping.
Teapot
- Choose a round shape: The closer to a spherical shape, the better the water circulates, making it easier for the tea leaves to jump.
- High heat retention: Ceramic or porcelain (especially bone china) is ideal. If the temperature drops, jumping will stop.
- Avoid iron: Tannins react with iron, causing the liquor color to darken.
- Always warm it up before use. A glass pot allows you to visually enjoy the movement of the tea leaves and the liquor color.
Teacup
A cup for black tea should be wider and shallower than a coffee cup. This allows you to enjoy the beautiful liquor color, enhances the aroma, and helps to lower the temperature appropriately. A white interior makes the liquor color stand out beautifully.
Useful Tools
| Tool | Function |
|---|---|
| Tea strainer | Filters the tea leaves when pouring. Choose one with fine mesh. |
| Tea cozy / Pot mat | Retains heat during steeping. Helps with jumping and extraction. |
| Sand timer / Timer | Accurately measures steeping time. |
| Tea measure | Stabilizes the amount of tea leaves. |
The basic method is to put the tea leaves directly into the pot and filter them with a strainer when pouring. Infusers are convenient, but if they are too small, the tea leaves won't have enough room to spread and jump, so choose a larger one.