Tea Steeping Guides

A great cup of tea starts with high quality tea leaves. Make sure your leaves come from a quality tea garden and aren't dust (leftovers after tea has been processed). Ideally you want to use loose leaf tea, as there you can make sure you get good quality tea leafs and you will find out, making a cup of loose leaf tea is as easy as using a tea bag.

Tea Steeping - The perfect cup

Unsure how to brew loose tea? No need to worry. Brewing loose tea is easy if you start with fine tea, add high quality water and steep to your personal taste. We have given the following general guidelines to get you started. Feel free to adjust the steeping time or amount of tea to your tastes.

What you need

  • A tea pot
  • Tea Measuring Spoon
  • Good quality water
  • Cups

Preparation

Step One - Heat Water

Start with good-tasting, quality water, such as spring water or filtered water. Avoid tap water; it may contain chemicals which will affect the taste of the tea. Don't overboil, as this depletes the oxygen in the water and compromises flavor. Do not use boiling water when brewing white or green teas. This will cook the leaves and destroy their delicate flavor.

Step Two - Add tea

Once the water has the recommended temperature add it to the loose leafs in your vessel. The following temperatures are recommended.

  • White Tea: Just under boiling (170-185 F)
  • Green Tea: Just under boiling (170-185 F)
  • Oolong Tea: Just under boiling (170-190 F)
  • Black Tea: Boiling (200-212 F)
  • Pu-erh Tea: Boiling (200-212 F)
  • Herbal Tea: Boiling (212 F)
Step Three - Steep to taste

Until you are familiar with a particular tea, steep for a minute or two, then try a sip. Pay attention to taste rather than color. When the tea tastes right to you, serve or pour off all the liquid to avoid oversteeping. Most teas are meant to be infused several times. Increase steeping time for subsequent infusions.
You can also use our suggestions for teas as a starting point for your exploration of taste.

  • White Tea: 2-3 minutes
  • Green Tea: 2-3 minutes
  • Oolong Tea: 2-3 minutes
  • Black Tea: 3-5 minutes
  • Pu-erh Tea: 2-3 minutes
  • Herbal Tea: 4-6 minutes
Step Four - Strain and Enjoy

Once your tea has reached the desired taste, strain the tea and pour it into a cup. Enjoy!

Optional Step Five - Re-Steep for more tea and more pleasure

If you would like another cup of delicious tea, reuse the tea leafs and just steep another cup.