Grandpa Style

Grandpa style, named for the way elderly Chinese gentlemen brew their daily tea, is the most casual and widespread method in everyday Chinese life. A pinch of green tea — typically Longjing, Bi Luo Chun, or Mao Feng — is dropped into a tall glass, hot water is poured in, and the tea is sipped directly, with the drinker's lips filtering out leaves. As the water level drops to about one-third, fresh hot water is added. This creates a self-regulating system: the first sips are strong and concentrated, the middle portion is balanced, and the diluted end is light and sweet. The method works best with teas that tolerate extended contact without becoming overly bitter, making Chinese green teas and light oolongs the ideal candidates. The leaves themselves become part of the visual experience, unfurling and dancing in the glass. While dismissed by some tea enthusiasts as unsophisticated, grandpa style is beloved for its zero-fuss practicality and the gentle, evolving flavor it produces across a full morning or afternoon of continuous drinking.