Ping cha (品茶) is a traditional Chinese way of brewing tea. It literally translates to “Tea Tasting”. The method is simple and delicious. You can drink the tea for a long time and enjoy the flavor and aroma with each brewing.
What’s needed:
- Thermos (or constantly heated water)
- Brewing vessel (small teapot, gaiwan, tipod)
- Favorite bowl
We can roughly divide the advantages of the Ping Cha brewing method into aesthetic and chemical. Let’s get acquainted with them in detail below.
The chemistry and usefulness of the Pinh Cha method.
Tea contains more than 200 useful substances and has a complex antioxidant and health-improving effect on the body. Tones brain function, prevents the development of bacteria in the oral cavity, thereby maintaining healthy teeth, strengthens the cardiovascular system, etc.The main substances are catechins, Ltheanine and caffeine.
Catechins are one of the main valuable elements for health. They are responsible for the elimination of toxins and antioxidant activity. Catechins are part of a group of substances called polyphenols.
The highest content of catechins is found in green teas such as Lung Jing (Dragon’s Well) and Bi Luo Chun (Miraculous Spring Spirals).The breakdown of these marvelous substances is influenced by time, oxygen, temperature and water acidity (Ph).
So how does this apply to our ordinary lives?
In the solid state (i.e. dry tea ready to brew) the catechin content is lower than in the brewed state. When brewed, all kinds of polyphenols are activated and for the first few minutes their content is at its peak. This is a healthy solution!
The longer the infusion interacts with air, the more the polyphenols are broken down and new radical compounds are formed. This is a harmful solution!
In brewing with the Pinh Cha method, you always have a fresh infusion in your cup because the tea is brewed for a few seconds and drunk hot.
It is also an interesting fact that without exposure to air, catechins unfortunately also break down, but at a much slower rate.
This is why it is so important to observe proper tea storage and drink freshly picked tea. Air is kept out, the temperature is cool – the tea is stored correctly.
The aesthetic component of the Pinh Cha method
Every physical form and movement has practical and spiritual significance, as well as the history of centuries, dynasties and provinces.Brew with one hand in a tipi or carefully in a refined gaiwan. It is all one whole art. Tea has its own journey. Where does it begin? The spring harvest? Or the plantation planting, or perhaps the first stage of fermentation?…On our table its journey takes place. From the moment we open the teapot and start brewing to the end of the tea party.
Brewing with the Pinh Cha method is different from any other, in that the tea goes through a life journey: awakening, reaches a peak of flavor and aroma and goes into decline, the tea goes away.
The main aesthetic is to trace all the subtleties of flavor and aroma and go carefully this way with the precious beverage.
And of course self-development!
Tea is definitely a tool on the path of self-discovery. You can read more about it in my new article “Tea as a system of self-development. “The main secret is attention. It is like an inquisitive wind jumping from one soap to another. I bet none of the readers will be able to keep their attention for 5 minutes on anything alone.
Try to brew your usual tea concentrating only on the brewing, on the sound of the water murmuring, on how many breaths you take while the tea is brewing, what the bowl feels like… Tell me, how did you feel afterwards? Was the tea tasty?
There are several ways to brew, but Ping Cha for a regular ritual is perfect. Minimal attributes and the tea tastes better. Enjoy and share your discoveries with us. ☘️
Anna Lee
