Steeping Tea
Steeping Tea
the amount of tea to use:
If you have a scale: Use 2 grams of loose-leaf tea for every 6 - 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 grams equals without weighing it every time.
If you do not have a scale, or simply don't want to weigh the tea: Use one level teaspoon of loose-leaf tea for every six ounces of water. You may need to use a little more or less depending on the type of tea and how strong you like it.
the steps:
The following are general guidelines. For more specific water temperatures and steeping times, depending on the type of tea being steeped, see below.
1. Fill a kettle with fresh cold water (filtered if you have it). Do not reuse water that has previously been boiled, or your tea will have a flat taste. Place the kettle on your stove and heat the water to a rolling boil.
2. Once the water on your stove is boiling, pour some of the water into your teapot, swirl it around, then pour it out. This will warm the pot and keep your tea hot while it steeps.
3. Place the loose leaf tea into your infuser, then place the infuser into your teapot. (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. Fill your teapot with boiling water from your kettle.
5. Allow the tea to steep for 3 - 5 minutes. Do not steep for more than 5 minutes or your tea may become bitter.
6. Remove the tea infuser from your teapot. Or, if you're using a strainer, place it over the top of your cup.
7. Pour the brewed tea into your cup. If you like, add sweetener or milk. Enjoy.
specific time & temperature guidelines:
Many people find that adjusting the temperature of the water, as well as the steeping time, for specific types of teas can improve the flavor.
Green Tea
water temperature: 170 - 190 degrees
steeping time: 1 - 3 minutes
Black Tea
water temperature: 200 - 212 degrees
steeping time: 4 - 5 minutes
Oolong Tea
water temperature: 185 - 212 degrees
steeping time: 5 - 8 minutes
Pu-erh Tea
water temperature: 212 degrees
steeping time: 5 - 15 minutes
Herbal Tea
water temperature: 212 degrees
steeping time: 5 - 7 minutes