Recommended Brewing Method｜Orange Tea｜The triple flavour of white, oolong and black tea in one cup!
Collation/ The Tantalums - Han-Yi Han-Yi
Updated: 2025/09/04
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Total Articles How to make tea? It turns out that experts also use the method of making tea.
How to brew orange tea?
This article will give you an easy guide to brewing techniques for orange tea.
A more complete analysis of orange tea is available. What is Orange Tea? Explaining the process, flavour and origin of Taiwan's seventh tea.This article will guide you through the easy process of brewing orange tea, a revolutionary beverage, from concept to practice, allowing you to personally experience its delightful flavor.
What is orange tea? Break your preconceived notions about tea.
Features of orange tea
Usually medium or heavyFermented bar products
It often has aromas of flowers, fruits, maple syrup, and dried fruit.
▨ Stable flavor: Minimal differences between different batches, suitable for blending.
▨ Rapid release and high concentration
▨ Diverse applications can create more value in iced tea.
The bud version of orange tea requires extra care when brewing, otherwise the final product may taste almost identical to the cheaper version.
This is a pretty version of orange tea that can be drunk plain. The tea soup color is the same as that of Gongfu tea. If the concentration is higher than this, you will be able to feel the tea flavor more clearly. It won't taste bad, but it may lack complexity.
Natural wild honey aroma × volcanic soil × high quality harvesting
Flavour:
- Foreword: maple syrup, orange blossom
- Middle: milk, pears
- After: Dried Tomatoes, Dried Kumquats
Classification
- The amount of white down on the bud tips.
- The number of mature leaves and old leaves
Judging tenderness cannot be based solely on the white down.Under high-standard harvesting conditions, the plump buds with abundant hairs are suitable for low-temperature brewing to prevent the tea from releasing too quickly and being over-extracted. The aroma must be extracted layer by layer to achieve a complete flavor experience; otherwise, it would be a pity.
Mature leaves, old leaves, and machine-cut materials.The dried tea leaves are dark in color, mostly yellowish-brown or reddish-brown, and are considered to have a flavor close to that of less bitter black tea, making them suitable for the beverage industry. Tea Blending. How to Make Base Tea and Strong TeaSimply add concentrated tea to reconstitute it for optimal use (especially for iced drinks).
Mature leaf version (including machine-cut version) vs. tender bud version. Both have their supporters, but the tender bud version is more suitable for hot brewing using the Gongfu tea technique, while the mature leaf version is recommended for hot or iced tea brewing.
Beginners should pay attention to the color of the tea soup when brewing orange tea, which will help them quickly master the brewing rhythm and make minor adjustments.
Mature orange leaf tea and machine-cut orange tea, which are mass-produced products, will have a more pronounced sugary and woody aroma, and the fragrance will be stronger.
This is an indication of the darkest color of the soup; for a darker color, it is recommended to dilute it further before drinking.
The tea soup tends to be dark in color, with a strong fermented flavor. It is sweet but not necessarily smooth, and its characteristics are slightly affected by the variety. There are noticeable differences between the three main types: small-leaf, large-leaf, and camellia. The differences between small-leaf varieties are not significant.
Orange tea made from tender buds (Orange Beauty(Case study) This involves batch production, using strongly upright varieties with prominent downy hairs and white down, yielding better results. Regarding raw materials, it's advisable to select tea leaves based on their quality; tender buds with significant insect damage are recommended for direct processing.Oriental BeautyHoney-scented tea, which is less susceptible to pests, is suitable for orange tea.
The image above shows a bright and refreshing version, which is recommended to be shown in the first brew to retain its full flavor. The image below shows the color of the orange tea after multiple brews.
Because of the foundationThe production processes of the six major tea categoriesThe differences in ingredients directly affect the brewing process. For those learning about orange tea products, it is recommended not to brew it like regular white tea or oolong tea. High temperatures can easily lead to over-extraction, resulting in no difference in taste regardless of quality. Strong brewing will taste like slightly fermented black tea.
* High-quality orange tea can be easily confused with Oriental Beauty or new-process white tea. However, when comparing the production methods of orange tea, a clear distinction can be made, making it easily identifiable.
The slow-growing variety, when used to make Oriental Beauty, emphasizes fruit and floral aromas. Its flavor is fruity rather than primarily honey-based. When brewing, the temperature is low to medium, allowing the refreshing floral aroma to slowly separate and then transform into the sweetness of the fruit.
Beginner Version
General brewing rules that need to be masteredThree pointsUnder controlled conditions, current tests using various brewing vessels show little difference in results:
- Amount of tea usedThe most common tea-to-water ratio is 1g:70cc.
- Time reference valueSeven minutes
- Temperature reference valueBrewing at 100 degrees Celsius
Example: Using 3g corresponds to a 200cc container.
- Dilution ratio: 2 parts ice cubes > 2 parts hot water
To dilute a strong brew of tea, simply add ice or water to reduce its concentration for drinking.
- For a rich soup drink: 200 cc strong orange tea + ice cubes and hot water (about 100g).
- Standard dilution: 200 cc strong orange tea + ice cubes (approx. 200g)
- Recommended serving size: 200 cc strong orange tea + ice cubes (approx. 300g)
- Commercially viable: 200 cc strong orange tea + ice (approx. 400g)
Left for 7 minutes, right for 3 minutes (both with 2 grams)
If orange tea is brewed too weakly, whether for a short time or in a small quantity, its applicability in blending will decrease, but it will still retain a subtle and delicate flavor.
The greatest charm of orange tea lies in its iced form! Whether light or strong, orange tea presents a variety of flavors, but there's only one conclusion: iced orange tea is the best way to enjoy it!
A three-minute brewing time allows for quick and refreshing enjoyment.
In seven minutes, it extracts a rich fruity aroma and a sweet and sour taste, making it amazing when shaken or served iced.
▋Member Video Demonstration Highlights
- Using a tasting cup to evaluate orange tea.
- Comparing different soaking times: three minutes vs. seven minutes
- Objective: To observe the differences in color, aroma, and flavor profile of tea, and to consider its practical applications (hot drinks/iced drinks/blended drinks).
Photography team/ Danfei Creative Studio
Subscribe to the channel / Tu Gongzi YouTube Gold Member
Advanced version
The key to brewing orange tea is to first achieve a stable golden ratio of tea liquor. It should be just right, not too strong. It's better to be slightly weak than too strong.
Suitable for bud-based orange tea (e.g.:Orange Beauty(Snow Beauty, White Beauty, etc.) The main control over temperature, brewing strength, and steeping time alters the tea's characteristics. The goal is to achieve a sweet taste that is sustained without being watery or bitter.
- The power of brewingFirst, use a gentle approach, then a strong approach.
- Amount of tea usedThere is a golden ratio of tea to water: 1g: 60cc.
- Time of useQuick brewing and steeping create layers of flavor, resulting in a more consistent taste after steeping.
Example: Using 2g corresponds to a 120cc container.
- First flush: 30 seconds (92 degrees) half-cap
- Second strike: 20 seconds (92 degrees) full cover
- Three-stroke: 50 seconds (92~100 degrees) full block
From light to dark, it is recommended to brew three infusions using the Gongfu method, each showcasing the unique characteristics of white tea, oolong tea, and black tea in their respective processing methods. Combining these three elements results in a more competitive tea flavor.
Warming the cup is an absolutely essential condition for its use.
For the first infusion, gentle brewing is recommended.
The second infusion is recommended to be re-brewed.
For the third infusion, a more balanced brewing method is recommended.
Orange tea blends the original delicacy of white tea, the robust flavor of oolong, and the mellowness of black tea, offering delightful surprises in each of its three infusions, with the second brew being the most exquisite! The video introduces you to the characteristics of orange tea, why it can be made year-round, and why it's suitable for blending, mixing, and iced drinks. Finally, it demonstrates a three-step brewing method, teaching you how to brew the most captivating orange tea flavor.
Photography team/ Danfei Creative Studio
Subscribe to the channel / Tu Gongzi YouTube Gold Member
Things beginners must pay attention to
- Warming the pot is essential for it to release its aroma.
- In the initial stages, try to use porcelain; it provides a greater sense of accomplishment than using Yixing clay teapots.
- The first infusion should not be too hot.
- The water jet shouldn't be too strong, otherwise the extraction will be too fast.
- Side water injection and single-point water injection are preferred.
- The more bubbles it produces, the more interesting it becomes.
The ultimate in withering, kneading and fermentation techniques.
Aroma with the roundness of ripe fruit.
The palate remains fresh and delicate, with an intriguing layer of flavour.
Extended Reading:
- So the experts know how to use it too? Lazy Tea Making in the Office
- Are there any tea tree varieties in Taiwan that you don't know about?
- Oolong Tea Brewing Tips
- Tips for brewing black tea
- How to brew Tieguanyin tea?
- How to brew Jin Xuan tea?
- How to brew Tieguanyin tea?
- Top Ten Famous Teas of Taiwan
Invitation, course seminar, tea purchase
● Gongfu Tea and Tea Ceremony Courses
● One-on-one and one-on-two tea studies courses, corporate presentations
● Taiwan Tea Shop
Welcome to write to us: hanyi2016tea@hanyitea.tw
The series of tea courses kicked off with instructor HAN-YI arranging a series of experiential tea courses in professional fields, from understanding tea leaves, choosing utensils, brewing methods, analysing and adjusting, and staff skills, and so on.
