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When it comes to brewing tea in a Yixing teapot, the question might seem simple: just put the tea leaves in the teapot and add boiling water, right? While this basic method is not wrong, the actual process involves more than just the teapot itself. Various accessories and techniques can enhance the tea-brewing experience, such as using a dry brewing tray or a wet brewing tea tray. These methods correspond to the dry brewing method and the wet brewing method, respectively.
Origin of Wet and Dry Brewing Methods
Both the dry brewing tray and the wet brewing tea tray originate from “Chaozhou Gongfu” Tea, which is almost the only tea art in China that has not been interrupted by history. Thus, most contemporary brewing methods and tea art forms derive from Gongfu Tea.
Wet Brewing Method
The wet brewing method emerged due to the need for rinsing the teapot, leading to the creation of the wet brewing tea tray. This tray allows for the easy cleaning of tea sets and tea leaves, with water being directly poured onto the tray and drained through a soft pipe.
Common wet brewing trays are made of rubber or bakelite, come in various shapes (square or round), and have multiple grooves with a corner connected to a drainage pipe. This tray accommodates the teapot, tea sets, and other tea utensils. During the brewing process, water is poured over the teapot, and a tea towel is used for wiping, making the wet brewing method convenient for rinsing tea and teapots on the tea tray itself.
Advantages of Wet Brewing Method:
Convenient rinsing and cleaning of tea and teapots.
Allows for a smooth and efficient operation, all done on the tea table.
Dry Brewing Method
The dry brewing method differs from the wet brewing method primarily in that it does not involve rinsing the teapot or pouring water over it. A small dry brewing tray is used solely for holding the teapot.
The dry brewing tray can be made of various materials, including Yixing “zisha”, green bricks, porcelain bowls, or even decayed wood, giving a touch of antiquity. When using the dry brewing method, a water basin is recommended for discarding wash water and used tea water since the teapot is not rinsed directly on the tray.
Advantages of Dry Brewing Method:
Keeps the tea table clean with no flowing water or steam.
Easier to clean up and allows for the flexible arrangement of tea mats and towels, adding fun to the tea setup.
Choosing Between Wet and Dry Brewing Methods
Preference for the wet or dry brewing method varies among individuals. Currently, the wet brewing method remains mainstream, but the popularity of the dry brewing method is also growing. Many tea enthusiasts now combine the wet brewing tea tray with a dry brewing tray. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference.
If you have the opportunity, try both methods. Changing your brewing method can bring a different experience and help you discover which one you prefer.
