The following is a general guideline to prepare tea. The method of preparing tea will vary according to the specific tea and one's taste.

1. Boil Fresh Water

Fill a kettle with fresh cold water and bring the water to a boil.

2. Heat up the Tea Set

Pour the boiling water into the teapot and let it stand for 15 seconds. Pour the water from the teapot into each of teacup. Pour away any remaining water into a water bowl. 

3. Place Appropriate Amount of Tea in Tea Pot

Put approximately 2 grams of tea per person into the teapot. The amount of tea can be adjusted according to the tea and one's preference.

4. Pour Water into the Tea Pot

Pour the appropriate temperature water into the teapot. Use boiling water (212°F) for black teas, water at 185° - 195°F for oolongs, and water at 170° - 180°F for white and green teas.

5. Steep the Tea

The length of time one needs to steep a tea depends on the type of tea, how many times the tea has been steeped, and one's personal preference. Generally, let the tea steep for 1Â? to 2 minutes the first time, then slowly increase the length of time the tea is allowed to steep. The time can be more slowly increased for black and oolong teas, and more quickly lengthened for white and green teas. Black and oolong teas may be steeped many times, but white and green teas are usually steeped 3 to 4 times.

6. Pour the Tea into the Teacups or into a Warmed Pot

Pour the steeped tea directly into the teacups. Or pour the steep tea into another warmed pot or bowl separating the tea leaves from the water, then pour the tea into the teacups. It is important to pour tea into another bowl after the appropriate time of steeping to avoid a bitter taste from developing.

Before steeping an aromatic pot of delicious tea, there are a few things to consider. . .

Quality of Tea Leaves

It is important to buy and store properly high-grade tealeaves. In purchasing tea, buy in small amounts often. Tea should be stored in airtight container away from light, strong odors, moisture, and heat. Green tea may be tightly sealed and stored in the refrigerator. While most teas are best when fresh, some teas, like the Pu-erh Tea, gets better with age.

Quality of Water

The quality of water is indispensable to bring out the full flavor of tea. It is essential to use fresh spring water, bottled water, or filtered water.

Proper Tea Set

Select a tea set according to use, size, and aesthetics. Glazed ceramic, procelain, east iron, and silver tea sets are not porous and hence suitable for a variety of teas. Chinese Yixing teapot is porous and would be best utilized by using one teapot for a single type of tea. The lining of tea deposit collected in the porous Yixing stoneware adds to the taste of tea. Ideally, it is best to have several teapots, one for the strong teas and one for the milder teas. In choosing a tea set, select one that is aesthetically appealing and functional for your daily enjoyment.

In caring for your tea set, never wash a teapot or tea set in a dishwasher or with dishwashing detergent. In daily usage, pour away the tea, rinse with hot clean water, and turn the teapot and cups upside-down to dry. Occasionally, you may boil your tea set for three to five minutes to clean it. It is recommended that you boil your tea set before you use it the first time. Another option for all tea sets, except Yixing, is to pour two tablespoons of baking soda into boiling water, soak the tea set overnight, rinse thoroughly, and let dry.