Chinese Tea --- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

To make a good pot of tea, special attention must be paid to the quality of the water, water temperature, the amount of tea leaves used and the type of teapot. Soft water (water with a low mineral content) that is clear and fresh is required to steep tea. Hard water should, by all means, be avoided. The correct water temperature varies from tea to tea. For most fully fermented and moderately fermented kinds, it should be near boiling (100 or 212); however, it may be low as 90 (194) or less for lightly fermented or green teas.

Of the three major beverages of the world-- tea, coffee and cocoa-- tea is consumed by the largest number of people.