Tea Brewing Guide

It can be confusing to keep track of how each type of tea needs to be brewed. Use my handy guide to make tea perfectly each and every time.

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Tea Brewing Basics

Taking the big step into loose leaf tea (beyond Lipton teabags) is quite an overwhelming one.

There’s soooo much information out there. If you’re wondering where to start, you’ve come to the right place — I’ll go over each type of tea and how to prepare it properly.

First, let me go over some basics.

Use 1.5 Teaspoon of Tea for Each Cup of Water
A rule of thumb is to use 1.5 teaspoon of tea per 8 fl. oz. of water. You can also use a heaping teaspoon of tea for every cup.

Opt for Loose Leaf Tea
Loose, whole tea is ALWAYS going to taste better than tea in tea bags. Go for quality and opt for the loose tea.

Make Room for the Leaves to Unfurl
The best brewed loose leaf are the ones that have the most room for the tea to unfurl and expand. Instead of a tea filter, opt for a roomy infuser if using a teacup or mug.

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White Tea 

WHAT TO GET
Silver Needle, White Peony

CAFFEINE LEVEL
Light

IDEAL STEEPING VESSEL
Gaiwan (Chinese porcelain or glass cup with a lid.)

AMOUNT OF TEA + WATER
1 teaspoon (3 grams) + 6 oz
Or 1.5 teaspoons of tea for every cup of water.

WATER TEMPERATURE
170°F – 180°F
When the water starts to steam before you see any bubbles.

STEEPING TIME
4 minutes

Green Tea

WHAT TO GET
Genmaicha, Sencha, Hojicha

CAFFEINE LEVEL
Medium

IDEAL STEEPING VESSEL
Kyusu (Japanese teapot) if tea is from Japan.
Gaiwan (Chinese porcelain or glass cup with a lid) if tea is from China.

AMOUNT OF TEA + WATER
1 teaspoon (3 grams) + 6 oz
Or 1.5 teaspoons of tea for every cup of water.

WATER TEMPERATURE
160°F – 175°F depending on the tea.
When the water starts to steam before you see any bubbles.

STEEPING TIME
3 minutes

Oolong Tea

WHAT TO GET
Iron Goddess (Tie Guan Yin), Oriental Beauty

CAFFEINE LEVEL
Medium

IDEAL STEEPING VESSEL
Yixing or clay teapot
Gaiwan (Chinese porcelain or glass cup with a lid.)

AMOUNT OF TEA + WATER
1 teaspoon (3 grams) + 6 oz
Or 1.5 teaspoons of tea for every cup of water.

WATER TEMPERATURE
185°F – 208°F
When the water just starts to bubble and move.

STEEPING TIME
3 minutes

Black Tea

The most common type of tea in the US. Blends like Earl Grey and English Breakfast are made from black tea leaves.

WHAT TO GET
Assam, Darjeeling, Ceylon

CAFFEINE LEVEL
High

IDEAL STEEPING VESSEL
Gaiwan (Chinese porcelain or glass cup with a lid.)

AMOUNT OF TEA + WATER
1 teaspoon (3 grams) + 6 oz
Or 1.5 teaspoons of tea for every cup of water.

WATER TEMPERATURE
190°F – 212°F
When the water is at a rolling boil.

STEEPING TIME
5 minutes

Puerh Tea

WHAT TO GET
Shou puerh, or get a few samples to try first.

CAFFEINE LEVEL
High

IDEAL STEEPING VESSEL
Gaiwan (Chinese porcelain or glass cup with a lid.)

AMOUNT OF TEA + WATER
1 teaspoon (3 grams) + 6 oz
If you’re drinking puerh, you’re probably not drinking it from a teacup or mug.

WATER TEMPERATURE
190°F – 212°F
When the water is at a rolling boil.

STEEPING TIME
5 minutes