Brewing tea requires water that has just come to a boil.
Tips
usage
沏 (qī) specifically means pouring hot water over loose leaves — different from 泡茶 (pàochá), which is broader 'to steep/soak tea.' 沏茶 emphasizes the moment of pouring; 泡茶 covers the whole process. Both are everyday verbs.
memory
沏 has 氵 (water) + 切 (qiē, 'cut'). Think of water 'cutting' through tea leaves — exactly what happens when boiling water hits the leaves and releases the flavor.
