1.Preparation
2.Tea Brewing Methods in Beverage Shops
3.Tea Brewing Tips for Beverage Shops
4.Three Key Factors That Affect Tea Flavor
5.Suggestions for Making Tea Drinks
6.Common Issues and Solutions
7.Practical Application Advice
Bubble Tea Shop Brewing Guide: How to Properly Brew High-Quality Tea
In a bubble tea shop, the quality of the brewed tea directly impacts the flavor of the entire drink and the customer experience. Therefore, mastering how to brew a rich and consistent cup of tea is essential. This guide will provide detailed instructions on preparation, tea-to-water ratios, brewing temperature and time, tea awakening and storage, and common issues, helping you brew the perfect cup of tea in your shop.
1.Preparation
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Choosing the Right Tea Leaves:
Choosing the appropriate type of tea leaves based on the type of bubble tea is crucial. Commonly used tea leaves include Black Tea (Ex: Assam Black Tea), Oolong Tea (Ex: Golden Oolong Tea), Green Tea (Ex: Jasmine Green Tea) etc. The quality of the tea leaves directly affects the aroma and taste of the brewed tea. It is recommended to choose fresh, unbroken, and flavorful tea leaves. -
Equipment Preparation:
1. Filter and Filter Cloth: Used to strain tea leaves, ensuring clear tea.
2. Measuring Cup: For accurately measuring water; a 5000cc measuring cup is recommended.
3. Electronic Scale: Precisely measures tea leaf weight to ensure accurate tea-to-water ratio.
4. Stainless Steel Pot: For boiling water; a thick-bottomed pot is recommended for even heat distribution.
5. Thermometer: Accurately measures water temperature to control brewing temperature based on the tea type.
6. Thermal Container: Used to store brewed tea and maintain stable temperature.
7. Ice Cubes: For dilution and cooling.
8. Timer: To control brewing time and avoid over or under-extraction.
2.Tea Brewing Methods in Beverage Shops
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Tea Leaf to Water Ratio: 100 grams of tea leaves to 4000cc of water.
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Simple Tea Brewing Steps for Beverage Shops:
1. Boil Water: First, bring 4000cc of water to a boil. After boiling, turn off the heat and add 100 grams of tea leaves.
2. Steep: After adding the tea leaves to the water, let it steep for 9 minutes.
3. Filter and Cool: Strain the brewed tea, then leave the tea uncovered to cool to around 75°C before use.
The optimal serving temperature range for the brewed tea is between 65°C and 75°C. -
Detailed Tea Brewing Steps for Beverage Shops:
1. Measure Water
Use a 5000cc measuring cup to fill with 4000cc of water. Prepare a container for the tea leaves and weigh out 100g of tea leaves using an electronic scale.
╴For green tea and oolong tea, the recommended tea-to-water ratio is 1:35.
╴For black tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea, the recommended tea-to-water ratio is 1:40.
This is the standard tea-to-water ratio. If the tea is too weak, you can increase the amount of tea leaves by 10g; if it's too strong, reduce the amount by 10g.
2. Boil Water
Pour 4000cc of water into a stainless steel pot, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil. Once the water boils, immediately turn off the heat and use a thermometer to measure the water temperature, ensuring it is within the suitable range for brewing:
╴Green Tea/Oolong Tea: Approximately 85°C
╴Black Tea: 95°C
3. Steep the Tea Leaves
Once the water temperature reaches the appropriate brewing temperature, add the weighed 100g of tea leaves to the pot. Stir well, cover with a lid, and start timing the brewing process. The steeping time varies slightly depending on the type of tea:
╴For green tea and oolong tea, the recommended steeping time is 8-10 minutes.
╴For black tea, oolong tea, and pu-er tea, the recommended steeping time is 10 minutes.
4. Strain the Brewed Tea
Once the steeping time is complete, prepare the thermal container, place a strainer on top, and put a filter cloth in the strainer. Pour the brewed tea into the thermal container to filter it. The filter cloth will catch finer tea leaves, resulting in a clearer brew.
5. Awaken the Tea
After filtering the brewed tea, let it sit uncovered for 15-30 minutes. This allows the tea to come into contact with air, a process known as "awakening the tea," which enhances the aroma and richness of the brew.
╴For green tea and oolong tea, the recommended resting time is 10 minutes.
╴For pu-er tea, the recommended resting time is 10 minutes.
╴For black tea, the recommended resting time is 20 minutes.
6. Dilute and Cool
As needed, weigh out 2000g of ice cubes and add them to the concentrated tea in the thermal container to dilute and quickly cool it down. Stir the tea to ensure the ice cubes completely dissolve and the tea reaches a suitable drinking temperature.
7. Fill and Store
Transfer the diluted tea into the beverage dispenser, seal it properly, and store it in the refrigerator. This will help maintain the tea's best flavor. It is generally recommended to use the tea within 4-6 hours to ensure the taste and aroma remain unchanged.
Further Reading: Introduction to Three Methods of Brewing Tea for Bubble Tea: Hot Steeping (Warm Brewing Method), Ice-Chilled Cooling Tea (Cold Brewing Method), and Cold Brew Tea.
3.Tea Brewing Tips for Beverage Shops
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Difference Between Base Tea and Concentrated Tea
╴Base Tea is the standard concentrated tea liquid for bubble tea, typically brewed at a ratio of 1:40 to 1:50 and stored in a thermal container for later use.
╴Concentrated Tea is used for making milk tea or dairy-containing beverages, with a concentration of about 1:30. This is because dairy products have a stronger aroma and require a robust tea base to balance the milk flavor. -
Brewing Methods Based on Tea Type
╴Unfermented green tea and lightly fermented oolong tea (such as Four Seasons Spring) are suitable for making cold tea for storage, preserving their delicate and elegant flavor.
╴Medium to heavily fermented black tea (such as Assam) and heavily roasted oolong tea (such as Red Oolong) are better suited for making hot tea for storage, as these teas have rich sweetness and a full-bodied taste. -
Importance of Awakening the Tea
╴Awakening the tea involves letting the brewed tea sit for a period after straining out the leaves, which allows the flavors to stabilize and deepen. This process is ideal before cooling down or adding ice for dilution, fitting well into the bubble tea preparation workflow.
4.Three Key Factors Affecting the Flavor of Brewed Tea
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Tea-to-Water Ratio: The tea-to-water ratio determines the richness of the brewed tea. If ice cubes are to be used for cooling, their weight should be factored into the water volume to maintain the balance of the ratio.
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Water Temperature Control: Different types of tea require different brewing temperatures. Teas with lower fermentation (such as green tea) are best brewed at lower temperatures, while teas with higher fermentation (such as black tea) can be brewed at higher temperatures to release their flavors.
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Steeping Time: Green tea, being less fermented, requires a shorter steeping time; over-steeping can lead to bitterness. Oolong tea and black tea, on the other hand, need a longer steeping time to fully release their rich flavors.
5.Recommendations for Tea Beverage Preparation
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Preliminary Preparation: Select suitable tea leaves and design the optimal brewing temperature and time based on the characteristics of the tea to ensure the aroma is fully released.
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Maintain Quality: In the beverage shop, it is essential to strictly control the amount of tea leaves, water temperature, and brewing time to maintain a consistent flavor in the tea. Adjust the formula according to customer preferences.
These steps will help you create high-quality bubble tea, providing a rich and stable tea drinking experience.
6.Common Problems and Solutions
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Tea is Too Weak: Check if the amount of tea leaves is sufficient or consider increasing the tea leaf ratio. Extend the steeping time to enhance the tea's concentration.
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Tea is Too Bitter: The temperature may be too high or the steeping time may be too long. Try lowering the water temperature or shortening the steeping time, especially for less fermented teas like green tea.
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Tea Lacks Aroma: Insufficient awakening time can lead to a lack of richness in the tea's aroma. You can extend the awakening time appropriately or use higher-quality tea leaves.
Further Reading: Beginner's Guide to Cold Brew Tea: How to Easily Brew Fragrant and Sweet Tea
7.Practical Application Recommendations
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Adjust Flavor: Flexibly adjust the tea-to-water ratio and steeping time based on customer preferences. Milk tea products are suitable for using concentrated tea, while fruit teas like lemon tea require a relatively lighter tea to preserve the fruity aroma.
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Diversify Tea Varieties: Introduce specialty drinks made from different tea types based on seasons or holidays. Green tea is ideal for spring and summer, while oolong and black teas are suitable for autumn and winter, providing a variety of options to meet diverse customer needs.
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Ensure Consistent Quality:Each time you brew tea, use the same amount of tea leaves, water volume, temperature, and steeping time. Record specific data to ensure that the quality and flavor of each batch of tea remain consistent.
Conclusion
The key to brewing good tea lies in thorough preparation and meticulous execution. Whether it’s selecting tea leaves, mastering the brewing ratios, or controlling temperature and time, each step must be strictly followed to ensure that every cup of tea achieves the best flavor and taste. With this detailed brewing guide, you will be able to brew consistent and high-quality tea in your bubble tea shop, meeting customers' expectations for great tea.
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