Use soft water and boil thoroughly.
*Boil for about 3 minutes without lid to get rid of the chlorinous odor of tap water.
*Soft water is better suited for tea making than hard water, as it enables the delicate goodness of the tea to unfold.

Fill teacup to about 80% (about 80 cc) of its full capacity with hot water. Let it cool until it is between 60°C to 80°C, in accordance to the variety of tea you wish to make.
Water temperatures drop by about 10°C just by pouring into teacup.

While the water is cooling, add the appropriate amount of tea leaves to your teapot.

Slowly pour the cooled water into the teapot, and let it steep for 60 seconds with lid on.
Do not agitate teapot roughly, as doing so will release unwanted bitterness. Let pot steep as is.

Pour tea with a rotating motion to even out concentration of tea. Pour to the last drop.

When making the second pot of tea, use slightly hotter water and let steep for 0 to 20 seconds.
The second pot offers a different, clearer taste than the first pot.

Points for better tasting tea

Temperature of hot water.
Hot : Sharp bitterness and strong aroma
Warm: Smooth sweetness and soft aroma

Guide to water temperatures for making delicious tea

· Tokusen Hosen, and other teas: 70 to 80°C
· Housyu: 60 to 70 ℃
·  Tokusen Housyu · Kiwami Okukirishima tea: 60 ℃

Amount of tea leaves: Measure using a teaspoon

・For one person: One heaping teaspoonful (3 g)
・For two people: Two mildly heaped teaspoonfuls (5 g)
・For three people or more: One leveled teaspoon (2 g) for each person

Time needed for steeping

Steeping usually takes 60 seconds. If you are using hot water at lower temperatures, the process may take longer. For example if you are using water at 60°C, let tea steep for 60 to 90 seconds.

Pour to the very last drop.

The very last drop is full of goodness.
By not leaving any water from the last pot of tea, the second pot on tastes better.

Preserving the taste of teas: The right way to preserve your teas

At Birouen, we process our teas as close to when your receive your tea as possible, so that you may enjoy a highly aromatic tea experience.
Here we will introduce great ways to preserve the taste of your tea longer.

Keep your teas away from

Oxygen, humidity, high temperatures, light, and strong odors

For long term storage

Store in freezer.
After taking you tea out of the freezer, wait until it returns to room temperature before opening.
If you open it without doing so, this will dampen your tea leaves.

After opening

It is best to finish drinking your tea within the first two weeks after opening, as this is when its aroma is at its fullest.
Place in a tea canister to prevent change in aroma and store in a cold, dark place.
If you expect that it will take you over 2 weeks to finish drinking the pack of tea, subdivide the remainder, and tightly seal to prevent changes in aroma. Store in refrigerator.
After taking stored tea out of the refrigerator, wait until it returns to room temperature before opening.

Methods for using old tea leaves

Roast using a frying pan and enjoy as a homemade hojicha.
Place leaves in a gauze or mesh bag and add to bath water to create a body warming tea bath.
*Tea bath may cause staining of bath towels and bath tub.
Use as leaves for chakoro (tea incense burner) to deodorize your living space.
A chakoro is a relaxation instrument that heats tea leaves which aroma refreshes the soul.