Chinese Hot Tea Recipe

1. Preheat teapot or cup

Bring about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of the water to a boil and swirl it in the teapot or cup you will use, then discard. This warms the vessel and helps maintain brewing temperature.

2. Heat water

Bring the remaining water to a near boil (about 95°C / 203°F). For green or delicate oolong teas, use slightly cooler water (80–90°C / 176–194°F).

3. Brew

Place the loose-leaf tea (2 tsp) and ginger slices (if using) into the warmed teapot or an infuser in your cup. Pour the hot water over the leaves. Steep black tea or robust oolong for 3–4 minutes; lighter oolong or green for 2–3 minutes. Adjust steep time to taste to avoid bitterness.

4. Strain

After steeping, strain the tea into cups to remove leaves and ginger slices. If using an infuser, remove it to stop extraction.

5. Sweeten & Finish

Stir in rock sugar or honey (about 1 tsp) if you like your tea slightly sweetened. Add an optional lemon slice, a few goji berries, jasmine flowers, or a mint sprig for aroma and visual appeal.

6. Serve immediately while hot, ideally in small porcelain cups. Re-steep loose leaves 1–2 times: increase steep time by 30–60 seconds for each subsequent infusion.