How to Brew Vietnamese Tea Perfectly

Vietnamese tea is a treasure waiting to be discovered. Sourced from centuries-old tea trees in the misty mountains of Northern Vietnam, these hand-picked leaves offer a unique flavor profile that deserves proper preparation. Whether you're new to Vietnamese tea or looking to refine your brewing technique, this guide will help you unlock the full potential of your Lùm Tea.

The Basics of Vietnamese Tea Brewing

Brewing Vietnamese tea is both an art and a science. The key lies in understanding that tea from ancient trees requires careful attention to water temperature, steeping time, and brewing method to reveal its full character.

Essential Equipment:

• Teapot or gaiwan (traditional Chinese brewing vessel)

• Kettle with temperature control

• Timer

• Fresh, filtered water

• Quality Vietnamese tea leaves

General Principles:

• Always use fresh, filtered water to avoid chlorine and impurities

• Preheat your teapot or gaiwan by rinsing with hot water

• Use approximately 1 teaspoon of tea per cup (or 4-5g per 120-150ml for traditional method)

• Adjust steeping time based on personal preference

Brewing White Tea (Suong Mai)

Suong Mai, our premium white tea, is hand-picked at dawn using the traditional "one shoot, two leaves" method from ancient Shan Tuyet trees in Hà Giang's misty mountains. This delicate tea captures quiet essence with soft floral notes and subtle sweetness.

Modern Brewing Method:

• Water Temperature: 85-90°C (185-194°F)

• Tea Amount: 1 teaspoon per cup

• Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

• Re-steeping: Can be steeped multiple times (3-4 infusions)

Traditional Gong Fu Method:

• Water Temperature: 90°C (194°F)

• Tea Amount: 4-5g for small teapot (120-150ml)

• First Steep: 10 seconds

• Subsequent Steeps: Re-steep up to 5 times, adding 15 seconds after 5 infusions

White tea from ancient trees reveals different layers with each infusion - from delicate floral notes in the first steep to deeper, slightly sweet undertones in later steeps.

Pro Tip: The traditional method allows you to experience the tea's evolution through multiple quick infusions, each revealing new dimensions of flavor.

Brewing Green Tea (Tinh Loc)

Tinh Loc, our hand-picked green tea from Hà Giang province, offers fresh, bright character with a smooth finish. Grown high in the misty mountains and gently pan-fired, this tea is naturally rich in antioxidants.

Modern Brewing Method:

• Water Temperature: 85-90°C (185-194°F)

• Tea Amount: 1 teaspoon per cup

• Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

• Re-steeping: Can be steeped multiple times (3-4 infusions)

Traditional Gong Fu Method:

• Water Temperature: 90°C (194°F)

• Tea Amount: 4-5g for small teapot (120-150ml)

• First Steep: 10 seconds

• Subsequent Steeps: Re-steep up to 5 times, adding 15 seconds after 5 infusions

Vietnamese green tea from ancient trees produces a fuller body while maintaining fresh, grassy notes. The leaves bring gentle vegetal freshness, soft sweetness, and hints of young mountain herbs.

Pro Tip: The quick traditional steeps preserve the tea's crisp, lively character while preventing bitterness.

Brewing Black Tea (Binh Son)

Binh Son, our premium black tea, is hand-picked from ancient Shan Tuyet trees and carefully oxidized to bring out deep, malty sweetness and earthy balance. This bold, full-bodied tea reflects patience and Vietnamese mountain craftsmanship.

Modern Brewing Method:

• Water Temperature: 85-90°C (185-194°F)

• Tea Amount: 1 teaspoon per cup

• Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

• Re-steeping: Can be steeped multiple times (4-5 infusions)

Traditional Gong Fu Method:

• Water Temperature: 90°C (194°F)

• Tea Amount: 4-5g for small teapot (120-150ml)

• First Steep: 10 seconds

• Subsequent Steeps: Re-steep up to 5 times, adding 15 seconds after 5 infusions

Black tea from ancient trees has natural sweetness with gentle malt notes, soft sweetness, and hints of roasted nuts. The flavor develops from warm and rounded in the first infusion to deeper and more mellow in later steeps.

Pro Tip: Taste the tea before adding any sweetener - ancient tree black tea has inherent complexity and natural sweetness worth experiencing pure.

Quick Reference Guide

Modern Brewing Method

Traditional Gong Fu Method

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Boiling Water Water at 100°C can scorch delicate leaves and extract excessive bitterness. Vietnamese tea from ancient trees performs best at 85-90°C, which preserves the subtle flavors and natural sweetness.

Over-Steeping Leaving tea leaves in water too long extracts excessive tannins, resulting in astringency. Start with 2-3 minutes for modern brewing or 10 seconds for traditional method, then adjust to your preference.

Using Poor Quality Water Tea is 99% water. Tap water with chlorine or heavy minerals will mask the tea's delicate flavors. Always use filtered or spring water for the best results.

Discarding Leaves After One Steep Premium Vietnamese tea from ancient trees is designed for multiple infusions. Each steep reveals different characteristics. Throwing away leaves after one use means missing the full experience and depth these teas offer.

Storing Tea Improperly Keep your tea in an airtight container away from light, heat, and strong odors. Proper storage preserves the tea's freshness and prevents flavor degradation.

Skipping the Warm-Up For traditional brewing, always rinse your teapot and cups with hot water first. This preheats the vessel and ensures optimal brewing temperature.

The Lùm Tea Difference

What makes Vietnamese tea from ancient trees special is the depth of flavor that develops through multiple infusions. These trees, some over 300 years old, have deep root systems that draw minerals and nutrients from untouched mountain soil, creating complex flavor profiles impossible to replicate in plantation teas.

All Lùm Tea products are:

• Hand-picked at dawn using traditional methods

• Sourced from centuries-old tea trees in Northern Vietnam

• Pesticide-free and lab-tested for purity

• Produced in limited batches to ensure quality

• Harvested by families from local mountain communities in Hà Giang

Two Brewing Traditions, One Perfect Cup

Modern Method - Perfect for everyday enjoyment. Simple, accessible, and delivers the full character of the tea in one satisfying cup. Ideal for busy mornings or when you want a straightforward brewing experience.

Traditional Gong Fu Method - A mindful tea ceremony that reveals the tea's evolution through multiple quick infusions. Each steep tells a different part of the story, from bright opening notes to deep, lingering finish. Perfect for quiet moments and deeper appreciation.

Both methods honor the quality of the tea - choose based on your time, mood, and how you want to experience your cup.

Conclusion

Brewing Vietnamese tea perfectly is about respecting the leaves and understanding their unique characteristics. Start with the guidelines above, then adjust based on your personal taste preferences. Remember that tea brewing is a journey - each session is an opportunity to refine your technique and deepen your appreciation.

The teas from ancient Vietnamese trees offer a window into centuries of tradition. By taking the time to brew them properly, you honor that heritage while enjoying one of nature's most sophisticated beverages.

Whether you choose the modern method for convenience or the traditional Gong Fu approach for mindfulness, you're experiencing tea crafted with patience, care, and connection to nature.

Ready to experience authentic Vietnamese tea? Explore our collection of hand-picked teas from Northern Vietnam's ancient tea trees and discover the difference that tradition and quality make.