I went to a tea shop for Chinese New Year and the owner was incredible adamant about rinsing, sponging and reusing the tea. Is this a normal thing? Should I be doing it? What teas should I be doing this with and what shouldn't I?
Sponging tea to my observation seemed to be like steeping but more for the refreshing and "waking up" the leaves rather than steeping which is more focused on the water and to flavour the water.
How many times should I wash my tea and should I sponge it before washing it, before drinking it or both?
How long should I "sponge" it?
How do I determine when to do this and when not too
When should I stop reusing tea?
Best Answer
Rinsing tea is normal in a ceremonial preparation of tea. There can be several reasons for rinsing: