How To Make Tea
How To Make Tea
the steps:
1. Heat fresh, cold water in a kettle. Do not reuse water that has previously been boiled, or your tea will have a flat taste.
2. Once the water is heated, pour some into your teapot or mug. Swirl it around then pour it out. This will warm the pot or mug and keep your tea hot while it steeps.
3. Place loose leaf tea into an infuser, then place the infuser into your teapot or mug. (To ensure the tea leaves have enough room to expand and steep properly, fill the infuser no more than halfway.)
Another option is to place the tea leaves directly into your teapot; then use a strainer to catch the leaves as you pour the tea into a cup. This option allows the tea leaves plenty of room to steep.
4. Pour water from your kettle over the tea and allow to steep for the recommended time (See chart below). Do not oversteep or your tea may become bitter.
5. When the time is up, remove the infuser or pour the tea through a strainer.
specific time & temperature guidelines:
Using water at the correct temperature, as well as steeping for the correct amount of time, will help ensure your tea tastes its very best.
Green & Pouchong Tea
water temperature: 170 - 190 degrees
steeping time: 1 - 3 minutes
Black Tea
water temperature: 200 - 212 degrees
steeping time: 4 - 5 minutes
Darjeeling Tea
water temperature: 200 - 212 degrees
steeping time: 2 - 4 minutes
Oolong Tea
water temperature: 185 - 212 degrees
single steeping time: 5 - 8 minutes
multiple steeping time: 1 - 2 minutes
Pu-erh Tea
water temperature: 185 - 212 degreessteeping time: 1/2 - 10 minutes
Pu-erh is meant to be steeped numerous times. The first time steep at the lowest water temperature for the minimal amount of time. Each subsequent steeping should be done for slightly longer with slightly hotter water than the previous steeping.
Herbal Tea
water temperature: 212 degrees
steeping time: 5 - 7 minutes
the amount of tea to use:
If you have a scale: Use 2-3 grams of loose-leaf tea for every 8 ounces of water.
Because the leaves of loose-leaf tea can vary greatly in size, weighing the tea ensures you will use the right quantity no matter what type of tea you steep. If you drink the same tea regularly, you'll begin to know how much 2-3 grams equals without weighing it every time.
If you do not have a scale, or simply don't want to weigh the tea: Use 1 heaping teaspoon of fine leaf tea for every 8 ounces of water, 2 heaping teaspoons if using a medium to large leaf tea, and up to 4 teaspoons for very large leaf teas such as Formosa Oloong Choicest.