How to Brew Loose Leaf Teas

Secrets to brewing a great cup of loose leaf tea:

You’ve just bought loose leaf tea and now you want to know the best way to brew it. Well, you have come to the right place!

Let's start with some general guidelines. Keep reading to find specific instructions and pro tips for brewing our premium selection of loose leaf teas after this section.

• The quality of the water can affect the taste of your tea.  Use fresh filtered water, when possible.
• You will also want to measure your tea properly, as that will affect the strength of your tea. General rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon (roughly 2.25 grams) of tea per 6 oz cup of tea.
  
• Use a timer to keep track of the steeping time.  The bitterness of the tea will increase if you over steep the tea. If you do not have a timer, your phone is always close by, right?  Use it as a timer to keep track of the steeping time.
  

Pro tips:

• Preheating: Preheat your teapot or cup. Swirl hot water into your teapot or cup, and then toss it out before pouring the tea.  This will warm up your pot or cup and maintain the temperature of your tea after it is poured.
• Electric kettle with preset temperatures: To make it easy for heating water at the right temperature, it is best to invest in an electric kettle with preset water temperatures.
• Experiment with steeping times:
  • If you like your tea stronger: Start with the high end of the steeping ranges provided below and then work your way down in 30 second or 60 second steeping times until you find the time that works for you.
  • If you like your tea lighter: Start with the low end of the steeping ranges provided below and then work your way up in 30 second or 60 second steeping times until you find the time that works for you.
• Storage: Make sure you store your tea in an airtight container, away from light and moisture. This will ensure that you are going to have a fresh cup of tea. Tea can last over a year, if stored properly!

How to Brew our Assam and Ceylon Black Teas (also known as English Breakfast Tea or Irish Breakfast Tea when they are blended together):

• Water Temperature: 200°F–212°F (boiling)
• Steeping Time: 3–4 minutes
• Flavor Profile: Robust, full-bodied, malty
• Pro tips:
  • Best enjoyed with or without milk, sugar, or lemon. 
  • Do not go over 4 minutes of steeping time as over-steeping will make the black tea start to taste bitter.

How to Brew our Sencha and Genmai with Matcha Green Teas:

• Water Temperature: 160°F–185°F (not boiling)
• Steeping Time: 1–2 minutes
  
• Flavor Profile: Grassy, fresh, slightly sweet or savory
• Pro tips: 
  • Boiling water can scorch the leaves, resulting in a bitter taste. It's best brewed in smaller amounts and enjoyed plain.
  • Do not go over 2 minutes of steeping time as over-steeping will make the green tea start to taste bitter.
    

How to Brew our Iron Goddess and South Garden Oolong Teas:

• Water Temperature: 185°F–205°F (just below boiling)
• Steeping Time: 2–4 minutes (can be re-steeped multiple times)
• Flavor Profile: Floral, fruity, or creamy with a smooth finish
• Pro Tips:
  • Oolong can be re-steeped several times, with the flavor evolving with each brew.
  • Do not go over 4 minutes of steeping time as over-steeping will make the oolong tea start to taste bitter.
    

How to Brew our Rishihat and Glenburn Darjeeling Teas (a type of black tea):

• Water Temperature: 200°F–212°F (boiling)
  
• Steeping Time: 3–4 minutes
• Flavor Profile: Light. floral, with a pronounced muscatel note
• Pro Tips:
  • Considered the "champagne of teas," Darjeeling is best enjoyed without milk or sugar to appreciate its delicate flavor.
  • Do not go over 4 minutes of steeping time as over-steeping will make the Darjeeling tea start to taste bitter.