ISO 3103 facts for kids

ISO 3103 is a special set of rules for making tea. It was created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This standard tells you exactly how to brew tea so that it tastes the same every time. It's not for making your everyday cup of tea at home. Instead, it helps tea experts compare different teas fairly.

Imagine a company wants to make sure their tea blend tastes the same year after year. They would use ISO 3103. This way, they can test new batches of tea and make sure they match the usual taste. The standard helps them make sure their tea always has a consistent flavor.

The original idea for this standard came from the British Standards Institution in 1980. It was updated in 2019.

Why is this standard important?

This standard helps tea experts do "sensory comparisons." This means they can compare how different teas look, smell, and taste. By following the same steps every time, they can tell if a new tea batch is different. This is very important for tea companies. It helps them keep their products tasting the same for customers.

The standard describes how to get "soluble substances" from dried tea leaves. This means getting the flavor and color out of the tea. It tells you to use a special pot and fresh boiling water. Then, you pour the tea into a white bowl. This lets you check the tea's look and taste carefully. You can even test it with or without milk.

The Ig Nobel Prize Connection

In 1999, ISO 3103 won a funny award called the Ig Nobel Prize for Literature. This prize is given for research that "first makes people laugh, and then makes them think." People found it amusing that there was a detailed scientific standard just for making tea!

How to Brew Tea the ISO 3103 Way

To make sure tea is brewed the same way every time, ISO 3103 gives very specific instructions. These rules help make sure all tests are fair.

The Right Pot and Bowl

The standard says you need a special pot and bowl.

• The pot should be white porcelain or glazed earthenware. This means it has a smooth, shiny coating.
• It should have a slightly rough edge and a lid that fits loosely.
• There are two sizes of pots:
  • A large pot holds about 310 milliliters (ml) and weighs 200 grams (g).
  • A small pot holds about 150 ml and weighs 118 g.
• The bowls should also be white porcelain or glazed earthenware.
• There are two sizes of bowls:
  • A large bowl holds 380 ml and weighs 200 g.
  • A small bowl holds 200 ml and weighs 105 g.

These special pots are sometimes called "taster's mugs."

Measuring Ingredients

Getting the right amounts is very important for consistent results.

• You need 2 grams of tea for every 100 ml of boiling water. This measurement must be very accurate.
• The water you use should be like the drinking water where the tea will be tasted.

Brewing Steps

Follow these steps carefully to brew the tea:

• Pour freshly boiling water into the pot. Fill it to about 4-6 millimeters from the top.
• Wait 20 seconds for the water to cool slightly.
• Let the tea brew for exactly six minutes.
• After brewing, pour the tea into the white porcelain or glazed earthenware bowl.

Adding Milk (If You Want)

If the test involves adding milk, there are rules for that too.

• Usually, milk is added to the bowl before pouring the tea. But if the organization normally does it differently, they can follow their own way.
• If milk is added after the tea, the tea should be between 65–80 degrees Celsius.
• Use 5 ml of milk for the large bowl.
• Use 2.5 ml of milk for the small bowl.

Images for kids

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  A white porcelain tea bowl, like those used for tea tasting.

See also

In Spanish: ISO 3103 para niños