When selecting Chinese loose leaf tea, one might come across varieties such as wild tea.
Due to its limited production, Chinese wild tea is relatively niche within Chinese tea. At the same time, Chinese wild tea is loved by many tea enthusiasts for its unique taste and aroma, and it is considered one of the best loose leaf tea.
This article will explain information on the selection, brewing, and storage of wild tea, helping you to better enjoy the deliciousness of wild tea.
Choosing Your Wild Tea
In addition to tea trees grown in tea gardens, China also has some tea trees that grow wild and unmanaged. The tea made from the fresh leaves of these tea trees is called wild tea.
Wild tea generally has characteristics such as a rich taste, high fragrance, and wild charm. Through different processing methods, wild tea can be made into various types such as wild green tea, wild black tea, wild white tea, and wild oolong tea. You can choose different wild teas based on your taste preferences.
Additionally, because of the rarity of wild tea, you might encounter situations where tea garden tea is sold as wild tea. You can determine whether the tea you purchase is wild tea based on the following aspects.
1. Leaf Characteristics
- Leaves are slender and thin, with fine leaf stems, giving a sense of nutrient deficiency.
- Due to lack of sunlight exposure, the leaf color is lighter, tending towards yellow-green.
- Can only be hand-picked, with uneven cuts on the stems.
- The tea trees grow naturally, leading to inconsistency in the tenderness and size of the leaves.
- Without any human management, the leaves often have insect holes.
2. Aroma and Taste
- The aroma is more intense and lasting, with an elegant quality.
- The tea flavor is richer, with a deep and lasting aftertaste, and a noticeable salivating effect.
- Due to less sunlight exposure, there are more anthocyanins, which may cause the tea liquor to have a brownish tint.
3. Origin
- Mostly sourced from remote mountainous areas or forests; exercise caution when source information is unclear.
Since wild tea trees mostly grow in remote mountainous areas and are unmanaged, the growth process of wild tea trees generally involves no fertilizers or pesticides. If you want to purchase Chinese organic loose leaf tea, you can look within the range of Chinese wild tea. Before purchasing, make sure to check for organic testing and certification by professional organizations to ensure you are getting genuine organic loose leaf tea.
How to Brew Wild Tea?
The right brewing method can fully bring out the high fragrance and wild charm characteristics of wild loose leaf tea. Depending on the variety of wild tea, you should choose the appropriate brewing method.
1. Wild Green Tea
Water Temperature: 80-90℃
Tea to Water Ratio: 1:40
Utensils: Porcelain bowl/Glass cup
Steeping Time: 10-15 seconds
Number of Infusions: 3-5 times
2. Wild White Tea
Water Temperature: 80-90℃
Tea to Water Ratio: 1:30
Utensils: Porcelain bowl/Glass cup
Steeping Time: 10-15 seconds
Number of Infusions: 3-5 times
3. Wild Oolong Tea
Water Temperature: 95-100℃
Tea to Water Ratio: 1:20
Utensils: Sand pot/Zisha teapot
Steeping Time: 10-20 seconds
Number of Infusions: 5-7 times
4. Wild Black Tea
Water Temperature: 85-95℃
Tea to Water Ratio: 1:30
Utensils: Sand pot/Zisha teapot
Steeping Time: 10-15 seconds
Number of Infusions: 5-7 times
5. Wild Dark Tea
Water Temperature: 95-100℃
Tea to Water Ratio: 1:20
Utensils: Sand pot/Zisha teapot
Steeping Time: 15-20 seconds
Number of Infusions: 5-7 times
As the weather gradually becomes hot, besides using these conventional hot water brewing methods, you can also use cold brewing to steep loose leaf tea. Some loose leaf cold brew tea is very delicious and worth trying, especially during hot weather.
How to Store Wild Tea?
Appropriate storage will effectively preserve the aroma and taste of wild tea, while also achieving effective aging, helping you enjoy delicious tea for a long time.
The storage methods for different varieties of wild tea vary significantly. Please choose the corresponding brewing method based on the variety.
1. Wild Green Tea
Fresh wild green tea can be stored at room temperature for 8-9 months, or refrigerated for up to 18 months. Store wild green tea in an opaque and well-sealed container to avoid direct sunlight.
2. Wild White Tea
Wild white tea is suitable for storage at room temperature, avoiding high temperatures and direct sunlight to prevent affecting the natural transformation of the tea leaves. Store wild white tea in a well-sealed container such as a porcelain jar or specialized tea container to maintain its aroma and quality.
For long-term storage, you can use a three-layer packaging method with food-grade plastic bags, light-shielding aluminum foil bags, and paper boxes to ensure the purity and light-shielding effect of wild white tea.
3. Wild Oolong Tea
For short-term storage of wild oolong tea, use well-sealed tea canisters and place them in a cool, dry place, avoiding direct sunlight and odors.
For long-term aging of wild oolong tea while preserving the flavor of best oolong tea, opt for breathable Yixing clay pots or ceramic jars. Maintain appropriate humidity and ventilation to facilitate natural aging of the tea leaves.
4. Wild Black Tea
Store wild black tea in sealed tea canisters to avoid direct sunlight and odors. Ideal storage conditions include room temperature around 18°C to 24°C, with relative humidity between 50% to 60%.
5. Wild Dark Tea
Wild dark tea should be stored in an environment with a temperature maintained between 20°C to 30°C, avoiding high temperatures that can accelerate oxidation and change the quality of the tea leaves. The relative humidity in the storage environment should be kept between 60% to 70%, with regular ventilation to ensure proper oxygen supply and promote the tea leaves' maturation.
Dark tea can be stored for several years, but it requires regular checks to ensure there are no issues like dampness, mold, or pests, and these issues should be addressed promptly.
Apart from these delicious wild teas, there are many other diverse varieties of Chinese tea for you to choose from. You can start by trying some famous Chinese teas like Longjing, TieGuanyin, Da Hong Pao, and ripe Pu-erh. It's recommended to use a loose leaf tea sampler to try out various teas and then select your favorite flavors. Additionally, Chinese teas make wonderful gifts in the form of tea gift sets.
We hope you discover more joy in the world of Chinese tea and experience the pleasure and tranquility it brings to your mind and body.
