Over the centuries the process of preparing tea has been developed to a high level of
precision. The choosing of tea normally depends on personal taste. The quality of tea is
discerned by the sensory organs of sight and smell. The form of the tea leaves and the scent of
the tea determine the difference in quality. Soft water that is clear and fresh is required to steep
tea. The correct water temperature varies according to the tea selected. For the most fully
fermented and moderately fermented, such as Wolong tea and black tea, a high water
temperature (95°C or higher) is needed. For lightly fermented Wolong and green tea, the proper
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water temperature normally is around 85°C to 95°C. For high quality tender tea shoots, the water
temperature should be no more than 85°C. The time for brewing tea varies from 50 seconds to 3
or 4 minutes depending on the kinds of tea, the water temperature, and the quantity of tea (Cai,
1998).