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The 4 step guide to a perfect cup of tea

This guide provides general instructions on how to brew a perfect cup of tea, regardless of what brewing method you choose. Whether you prefer a french press, an infuser, or a teapot with a simple strainer, you'll be able to make a delicious cup of tea.

To make an excellent cup of tea, you have to start with high quality tea leaves. Your cup of tea will only ever be as good as your tea leaves. We keep our standards high on loose leaf tea for this very reason. When your Tea World Tour arrives at your doorstep, you’ll be ready to brew a premium cup of tea.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED


  • Teapot with infuser or strainer
  • Tea leaves
  • Teaspoon or scoop
  • Pot or kettle to boil water
  • Fresh water (preferably filtered)
  • Your favorite tea cup

Step One: Heat the water

Water quality is key for great tasting tea. Always use fresh water. Even if your tap water tastes good, we recommend using filtered water.

Use a kettle or pot to boil water. Water temperatures vary according to tea type. See the table below for general temperatures. A thermometer can be helpful but it’s not necessary.

Once you have the right temperature, you’ll be ready to add the tea leaves to the water.

Step Two: Measure the tea

Rule of thumb: 1 rounded tsp (~2g) of tea per 1 cup (8oz) of water.

Loose leaves expand up to 5 times their size when placed in water. Choose a brewing method (like a teapot or french press) that allows the tea leaves ample space to expand, so they can release their full flavor.

There’s no right or wrong here. Experiment with measurements to find your personal preference. For a stronger tea, add more leaves (not more steeping time) or re-steep the tea. Sometimes flavors are stronger, or totally different from the first cup, on the 2nd or 3rd steep.

Step Three: Steep the tea

“Steeping” and “brewing” are used interchangeably to refer to preparing a cup of tea. Steeping tea simply means allowing the tea leaves to soak in the water. It’s best to keep the pot or cup covered while the tea leaves steep to retain the heat and aroma.

Steep times vary according to tea type. Follow the instructions on your tea pouch. See the table below for general steep times.

It’s best to remove the tea leaves when the steep time is up. Over-steeped tea, especially green tea, will taste bitter. For a stronger tea, do add more leaves; don’t add more steeping time. Pour the tea from the pot into your cup, using a strainer to remove the leaves if your pot doesn't have an infuser. Allow the tea to cool slightly before you sip so you can experience the subtle and delicate flavors.

Step Four: Enjoy Multiple Steeps

Loose leaf teas are meant to be steeped several times, with new and exciting flavors emerging in each re-steep. Re-steeps are not watered down left overs but rather new cups of tea to enjoy.

For a re-steep, follow the same steps, using the leaves from the first steep. Simply add the water and increase the steep time by 30 seconds to a minute. You can keep increasing the steep time on each subsequent infusion. Experiment with steep times in 1 minute increments to find your personal preference.

Most teas will have excellent 2nd, 3rd, and 4th steeps and some, like pu’ers and oolongs, can be re-steeped 10+ times. Get more bang for your buck, experiment with your teas, and discover delicious new flavors with each steep. Enjoy!

General Steep Times and Temperatures by Tea Type

With time and experience, you’ll get a feel for the right water temperatures and steeping times for various kinds of tea. This table provides some general guidelines.

It’s important to note that some teas are more delicate and easily burnt than others. Never pour boiling water onto green, yellow, or white tea.
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