how to brew the perfect tea

How a tea is brewed can make all the difference between an amazing tea experience and an unremarkable one. So here’s what you should consider when you want to brew your next cup of tea.

Keep in mind that each type of tea requires slightly different steeping techniques. For the best cup, follow the recommended measurements, water temperature, and steeping time outlined on the package of tea. Experiment with different quantities of tea or steeping durations.

What type of tea are you planning to brew? All true teas really only fall into one of four types of tea: White tea, Green tea, Oolong tea and Black tea. Green tea leaves, for example, are more delicate and fresh than black tea leaves, so they can be steeped at a lower temperature and don’t need to be steeped as long. Herbal teas, on the other hand, can steep much longer than a black tea without becoming astringent or bitter.

First rule, never use hot tap water to speed up the boiling process as  this adds additional impurities from your home’s water heater.

Before you pour hot water over your tea, consider the type of tea you’re brewing. Different types of tea have different ideal brewing temperatures and steeping times that will yield the best flavor out of that specific tea. Do not use previously boiled water as it will have been de-oxygenated. Spring water is preferred over tap water. 

Tea brewing 3’s

  • TEA TYPE
  • BLACK
  • GREEN
  • HERBAL
  • TEMPRATURE
  • 95 to 100 degrees ºC
  • 70 to 85 degrees ºC
  • 95 to 100 degrees ºC
  • TIME
  • 3 to 5 minutes
  • 1 to 3 minutes
  • 5 to 7 minutes