If you want to brew loose leaf tea, trust me, it's simple. In this guide, we'll touch on the basics of brewing the best cup of tea, along with a few advanced tips and tricks.
People have brewed tea for centuries. From the first cup (purportedly made when tea leaves fell into a cup of spring water), to the working-class English tea brewed on lunch break, to our home offices today, tea has long snuck into people's everyday lives. Maybe that's because it enhances our mental and physical selves. Or possibly the ease of brewing tea makes it the world's most adaptable beverage. Although tea and tea vessels vary widely, the basics remain consistent. Take this refresher of the main considerations.
To brew tea simply, keep these 4 things in mind:
- quality of the tea leaves you
- cleanliness of the water used
- the time and temperature for your brew
- Enjoying your finished product!
Quality Tea
The type and quality of tea leaves brewed will make or break your drink. If you haven't tried whole leaf, organic tea yet, we couldn't recommend it highly enough. Now is the time! Steeping quality, organic tea leaves will dramatically improve your tea game. Whole leaves have greater integrity and more nuanced flavor than your run-of-the-mill tea bags. In addition, drinking organic tea often supports smaller-scale farms and farmers, which means less environmental damaging in the cultivation process. Whole leaf teas (as opposed to crushed tea in tea bags) yield multiple infusions, instead of losing all the flavor in the first steep. Subsequent infusions often produce slight changes in flavor and aroma, which tea connoisseurs enjoy experiencing and observing.
Lastly, just as fresh ingredients make for a better dish, fresh tea leaves make a better cup. Store your tea away from light, in airtight containers, to maintain freshness. Tea likes tea, so store loose tea leaves in quantity. This helps retain the tea's natural essence and character.
Clean Water
The second vital component of an outstanding cup is clean water. Most tap water contains chemicals (such as chlorine) that can affect the flavor of your tea. If you want to taste the best tea, why mask its flavor with treated water? Spring water or filtered water allow tea to infuse flavors true to its region and processing methods. Clean water means clean flavor, and clearer nuances. Plus, if you drink a lot of tea, chemical additives in the water will accumulate in your tea brewing system.
Steeping Time & Water Temperature
Both steeping time and water temperature for brewing tea deserve equal attention. And depending on your tea type, time and temperature for steeping will vary widely.
Black and puerh teas can withstand boiling water, or water just settled from boiling. In fact, puerh teas often need boiling water to release their unique flavors. Time your black tea (usually 3-5 minutes) and don't over-steep it. Prolonged steeping can lead to astringency and bitterness in your teacup. On the other hand, puerh teas are more forgiving, and perform equally well—and with varied flavor experiences—in long or short infusions.
Oolong teas are similarly robust and forgivable, and usually prefer steeping water anywhere between just-boiled and 180 degrees. Oolongs, however, are often the most intricately processed teas, and using the manufacturer's time & temperature recommendations for that variety will brew a cup that will not disappoint!
Green and white teas require a bit more care when brewing. Many people say they don't like green teas because of their bitter, strong flavors. Chances are, these people brewed their green tea too hot, too long—or both. Green teas prefer steeping between 170 and 190 degrees, depending on the variety, and never longer than 3 minutes. If unsure, err on the side of cooler water; or if using hotter water, shorten your steeping time dramatically. White tea can withstand slightly higher water temperatures, but do not use water over 200 degrees. Brew white tea around 180 to 190 degrees, and cooler for more delicate types.
When in doubt, look for time and temperature recommendations listed on the teas you purchased. Then, as your tastes develop, you'll become more comfortable experimenting with brew time and temperature.
Enjoyment
When you brew a cup of tea, enjoying it is the last, simplest, and MOST IMPORTANT step! Why make a cup of tea if you don't allow yourself to enjoy it? Brewing and drinking tea can be a mindful process, a time for meditation, and a way to reconnect with something simple. You can test methods, get a little "science-y", try new techniques, and hone your tea game. You can brew and enjoy tea with others, connecting and conversing over a shared experience. Make brewing and drinking tea your time.
Now that you know the basics, you can successfully steep and enjoy any tea you like! Although it may seem complicated, remember that the basics of brewing tea remain consistent. Even kids can get into the simple art of brewing tea! Watch as our friend Aiden shares how he brews tea. Brewing tea can teach us all something, and there is always room for experimentation and creativity. Go forth and brew with simplicity!
For more videos on advanced brewing studies, check out: