Brewing / Grandpa Style
Grandpa Style
老人茶
"Grandpa style" is the casual everyday method common in working-class China — leaves loose in a glass or thermos, hot water topped up repeatedly throughout the day. The leaves sink (or float and then sink) and the cup is sipped slowly, more water added when low. Best with teas whose leaves resist over-extraction (greens with pulled leaf, most cooked pu-erh, robust oolongs).
Steps
- Drop a small amount of leaves directly into a tall glass or thermos (~3 g per 300 ml).
- Pour hot water over the leaves and wait until they sink.
- Drink slowly. When the cup is half empty, top up with more hot water.
- Continue topping up; the leaves slowly give for hours.
Plan your next steep
Use the calculator to tune leaf, water, and temperature for this brewing style, or browse tea families that suit the method.