Tea Brewing Basics

Ingredients

For Black Tea

  • 1 rounded tsp loose leaf tea per 6 oz cup
  • boiling water (212ยบ)

For Green or White Tea

  • 1 rounded tsp loose leaf tea per 6 oz cup
  • boiling water + room temperature water

Equipment

  • 1-2 teapots (based on method)
  • tea sack, tea ball or fine mesh strainer

How-to

For Black Tea

  1. Bring water to a boil in a kettle. Add about ¼ cup boiling water into teapot to preheat. Swirl hot water around for about 15 seconds, then discard
  2. Measure loose leaf tea into tea sack, tea ball, mesh insert, or directly into pot using one rounded tsp per 6 oz cup
  3. Add proportionate amount of boiling water, set timer for 4 minutes or steep to taste preference
  4. If using loose leaf tea inside pot, strain into an additional preheated teapot, passing through a fine mesh strainer. If using tea sack, ball, or mesh insert, remove and discard tea leaves
  5. Serve immediately with milk, sweetener or lemon (if desired)

For Green or White Tea

  1. Do not preheat tea pot (these teas should be steeped at around 175º)
  2. Measure loose leaf tea into tea sack, tea ball, mesh insert or directly into pot, using one rounded tsp per 6 oz cup
  3. Add a mixture of mostly boiling water, plus room temperature water to the pot (to achieve about 175º steeping temperature). Set a timer for 2 minutes, or steep to taste preference
  4. If using loose leaf tea inside pot, strain into an additional teapot, passing through a fine mesh strainer. If using tea sack, ball or mesh insert, remove and discard tea leaves
  5. Serve immediately