How to Make Friends and Family Tea Lover
Aug 29,2024 | TeaTsy Team
It’s a little frustrating when we discover a great cup of tea but have no one to share it with. It’s an experience, a passion, and for many people, a way of life. If you’re passionate about tea and want to share that joy with those around you, here are six effective tips to turn your friends and family into tea lovers.
Laying out your tea space
Choosing a bright and spacious place to set up your tea space is key. In this well-decorated tea space, you will have easy access to a variety of tea sets and tea leaves, ensuring that each tea tasting is well organized.
Lighting a stick of sandalwood incense will not only add to the ambiance of your tea space, but it will also show your family and friends that you are passionate about tea and that you respect them. The aroma of sandalwood will add a sense of calm and focus to the entire tea-tasting process, allowing them to feel calm and relaxed in your tea space.
Draw them in to observe and experience your tea space and bring them along to experience the unique charms of tea. This not only promotes their interest in tea but also lets them feel your dedication and sincerity, further deepening their love of tea.
Choosing the tea you love
When selecting a tea, you may be tempted to choose based on the tastes of others, but what really matters is choosing a tea that you yourself truly love. Your enthusiasm will be the most contagious motivator, whether it's that Milanese single bush known for its peachy aroma or any of your personal favorites. When you are passionate about tea, that passion will naturally transfer to others and capture their interest.
You can even consider the benefits of tea when choosing a tea, and pick the right tea for your family and friends based on the benefits of different teas. For example, green tea is rich in antioxidants that help boost immunity and metabolism, while pu-erh tea is known for its digestive and fat-lowering properties.
Express your passion, not just the flavor
When you share your favorite tea with others, go beyond the taste and talk about the entire tea experience. You can talk about the brewing process, the beauty of the tea, or the story and culture behind the tea. For example, you can introduce your exotic friends to the history and traditions of Chinese tea, giving them a sense of the depth of the tea culture.
During a tea tasting, the aroma, color, and brewing ritual of the tea leaves are all important parts of the experience. By sharing these details, you can give them a deeper understanding and appreciation of tea. Additionally, tea is a personalized experience; give others some space to explore and discover their own unique sensory experience without having them be swayed by your expectations. This way, they are freer to enjoy the pleasure and relaxation that tea brings.
Gongfu tea brewing
If you want to bring out the true essence of your tea, Gong Fu tea brewing is an excellent choice. This traditional method of brewing releases the full flavor and aroma of the tea leaves and brings out the full charm of the tea. The subtlety of Gong Fu tea is that it is much more conscious of the ratio of tea leaves to water, the brewing time, and temperature than regular teapot brewing, thus providing you and your guests with the perfect tea experience.
Gong Fu tea is usually served in smaller teapots and cups, with a small amount of tea brewed at a time, but multiple times to ensure that everyone can savor the essence of the tea. In this way, you are able to control the ratio of tea leaves to water for each brew, as well as experience the variations and layers of tea flavors over the different brews.
The traditional way of brewing Gong Fu tea involves perfecting techniques, including how to hold the teapot. The correct grip ensures that you are able to control both axes: left and right and up and down.
Two-Handed technique
Before we delve into the one-handed method, let's take a look at the two-handed method. This involves holding the teapot with your index, middle, and thumb fingers while the other hand covers the lid. While this method is effective, we won't be focusing on it today because there is less control when brewing with one hand this way.
Traditional grip
Traditionally, teapots are held with a pinch grip. You can refer to holding a pen or holding chopsticks. This grip is very precise and has stood the test of time. Extend your index finger over the lid knob. This adds stability and allows you to control the flow of tea. Secure the handle with your middle finger and thumb. For heavier pots, let your middle finger slide slightly into the handle for extra support. Your ring and pinky fingers should gently push on the bottom of the pot to take the weight and keep it balanced.
Practice pouring
Once you've mastered your grip, it's important to learn how to pour with minimal pressure to avoid spilling or splashing guests along the way. Keep your elbows down and gradually raise them to pour. Avoid large wrist movements as this can cause discomfort, especially with heavier pots.
Keep the jug slightly raised from horizontal and tilt it using your arm rather than your wrist. At the end of the pour, gently tilting your wrist can help pour out the last few drops.
Perfecting this method will allow you to gain consistency and control, regardless of the size or weight of your teapot. It may feel awkward at first, but practice will make this technique second nature to you. But feel free to adjust the method to suit your comfort level.
Indulge their senses
Bring the process of brewing tea to the table so that everyone can see, smell, and feel the tea for themselves. This is where a glass tea set comes in handy, as it allows people to enjoy tea both visually and olfactorily. The visual and aromatic experience is often more impactful than just tasting. Prepare a beautiful tea tray with a thermos next to it so that you can fully concentrate on your tea without being disturbed. The goal is to make tea the center of attention at the table, capturing everyone's attention and impressing with its rich sensory appeal.
Make the tasting experience come alive
Encourage your guests to describe their smells and flavors rather than telling them what you felt first. Engage their senses and memories. Suggest that they consider various characteristics, such as whether woody notes are reminiscent of dry or wet wood. This active engagement helps them make a personal connection with the tea, which makes the experience memorable and meaningful.
Provide quality tea sets
Exquisite tea sets not only enhance the ritual of tea tasting but also better attract people's attention. Choose a high-quality tea set on Teatsy and place some cute tea pets beside the tea table. These small tea pets not only add fun but also bring a vivid atmosphere to the entire tea space and attract everyone's attention.
Once their interest is aroused, guide them to learn more on their own. Recommend your favorite tea-related books. By doing so, you can empower them to continue their tea journey independently and inspire new enthusiasm.
Sharing the love of tea can also enrich your relationships and experiences. As more and more people join your tea journey, you will find a growing community to enjoy the adventure together. Now go spread the love of real tea and see how your circle of tea lovers grows.