Good Water for Good Brewing Herbal teas

According to Xu Cishu, a tea expert of the Ming Dynasty, tea’s finest quality can be brought into play with the help of water. Making a good brew requires good water, as it is the water that brings out the bouquet of the tea leaves.

Experts in the Qing Dynasty even regarded water as more important than tea itself.

When making teas always start with fresh, cold water. Since herbal tea is an important aspect do healing, use pure water: distilled, spring, filtered or from a well.

Water from the mountain springs was better than water taken from a waterfall.

Distilled water is the best medium for drawing out the therapeutic properties of the plants, as it is a more neutral medium.

Always use fresh water for brewing tea. Tap water should be avoided since it contains chemicals that can alter the taste of a brew.

Do not reboil water that has already boiled once, since this reduce oxygen levels and can affect the taste of tea.

It is not recommended using distilled water that has been stored in plastic jugs, because the plastic contains xenoestrogens, substances that mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen, which may be a carcinogenic risk.

The plastic also imparts a plastic flavor to the water.

Never steep tea in plastic or aluminum. The brewing best of fine tea is best done in china, glass or stainless steel.
Good Water for Good Brewing Herbal teas