The Art of Tea: Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Delights

9 am: A Cup of Flower Tea

It is most suitable to drink three cups of tea a day. The first cup is morning tea, which is best consumed between 9 am and 10 am after breakfast. It can refresh, detoxify, and fight fatigue, making it the most important of the three cups of tea.

Flower tea is the best choice for morning tea. Flower tea combines the richness of fresh flowers and the fragrance of new tea through secondary processing. It can awaken the mind and enhance energy throughout the day.

However, it should be noted that people with insomnia should not drink flower tea, as it can worsen sleep disorders. People with allergies should also avoid drinking flower tea.

Flower tea is best brewed in a covered porcelain cup, emphasizing the aroma rather than the appreciation of the tea. Use freshly boiled water to brew the tea, cover the cup, let it steep for a while, and then uncover the lid to enjoy the refreshing fragrance of the flower tea, which can invigorate the spirit.

1 pm: A Cup of Green Tea

The second cup is afternoon tea, best consumed between 1 pm and 3 pm after lunch or a nap. The tea can be slightly stronger and can help lower blood lipids and protect blood vessels. Jiang Yongwen stated that the health benefits of green tea, such as antioxidant, free radical scavenging, and antiviral properties, are mainly due to the presence of polyphenols in tea leaves.

Therefore, green tea is best brewed and consumed immediately. If the brewing temperature is too high or the brewing time is too long, the polyphenols may be destroyed. Generally, the water temperature for brewing green tea should be around 85°C, just below boiling point.

The brewing time should be 2-3 minutes. The ratio of green tea to water should be appropriate, with a ratio of 1:50 being ideal. For example, 3 grams of tea leaves should be brewed with 150 milliliters of water, resulting in a moderately concentrated green tea soup. Porcelain cups or transparent glass cups can be used for tea utensils.

6 pm: A Cup of Black Tea

The third cup is evening tea, best consumed between 6 pm and 7 pm after dinner. It has the effects of lowering blood lipids and aiding digestion.

Yang Li mentioned that black tea is most suitable for drinking in the evening because fermented tea has a low caffeine content and has minimal impact on sleep.

People with a cold constitution can drink more black tea as it warms the body and is beneficial for those with a cold stomach, cold hands and feet, physical weakness, and frequent diarrhea.

Unlike green tea, soaking black tea in hot water can promote the effective dissolution of flavonoids, the health-promoting substances in black tea. This not only enhances the taste and aroma but also maximizes the health benefits. Therefore, it is best to use boiling water to brew black tea, and the brewing time can be relatively longer.

Generally, 5 minutes is the optimal brewing time. The amount of water for brewing black tea is similar to that of green tea. Gongfu black strip tea can be brewed 3-4 times, while broken black tea can be brewed 1-2 times. In addition, it is advisable to avoid drinking tea after 8 pm.