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How To Brew The Perfect Cup of Tea
As one of the most consumed beverages in the world, tea is virtually everywhere.
Whether you are a serious tea drinker, a casual tea drinker, or someone new to tea, this blog post will help you brew the most delicious and beneficial cup of tea every time.
A perfect cup of tea always starts with a quality tea followed by the appropriate preparation method. Poor preparation can quickly ruin a good product, so let’s take a look at the 3 main factors for brewing the perfect cup of tea.
When brewing tea, there are 3 things to remember:
- Water Quality
- Water Temp
- Steeping Time
1. Water Quality
The quality of the water is just as important as the quality of the tea being used. Good quality water enhances the tea, and poor water will alter the tea.
The best water choice is spring water. You want water that is pure, odorless, colorless, mildly acidic (with a PH less than 7), and soft (containing some minerals).
2. Water Temperature
Using a water boiler with temperature control will allow you to make the best extraction possible from your favorite tea.
In general, water should never be boiled. Water loses its oxygen content when it is boiled, creating a flat taste. An excessively high temperature also risks “burning” the tea, and destroying the tea and its beneficial properties.
As a general rule, proper water temperatures are as follows:
175-185 degree water for white, green, and jasmine teas.
190-205 degree water for oolong and black teas.
205-degree water for herbal tisanes.
The Bubble Method: If you do not have a digital kettle or thermometer, you can use your eyes to estimate temperature. Steaming water is about 180 degrees, tiny bubbles sticking to the pot but not floating to the top is about 195 degrees, and motion in the water but no bubbles yet is about 205 degrees. If you put your finger in the water it should feel very hot but not burn you.
3. Steeping Time
Too short and the flavor and effectiveness will be weak, too long and it may taste bitter. Correct steeping time will ensure the most flavorful cup possible.
As a guide:
- 2-3 minutes for white, green and jasmine tea
- 3-4 minutes for oolongs and blacks
- 5+ minutes for herbal tisanes.
If you prefer a stronger taste, you can try steeping for 30 seconds to a minute longer than usual. Too long of steeping can result in a bitter cup. If you feel that your cup of tea tastes bad, try adjusting the steep time or lowering the water temperature.
Bonus Tips!
Your Teaware Matters
Using the right tools for the job are essential when it comes to brewing the perfect cup. Tea leaves need room to unfurl, so using a large infuser that lets the tea leaves dance around (as opposed to staying clumped up) is your best bet.
We love this infuser for at-home brewing or these empty tea bags when you are away from or for easy cleanup!
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You Only Need A Little Bit Of Tea:
For the perfect cup of tea, you only need to use 1 rounded teaspoon of tea leaves (or a Perfect Tea Scoop) for 6-8oz of water.
Don't Forget To Re-Steep:
You should be able to get at least two steepings out of each serving of loose leaf tea. When steeping the leaves for your second cup, steep them 30 seconds longer.
A Note On Adding Cream and Sugar To Your Tea:
You should drink your tea the way you like it best. It is ok to add a bit of sweetener or a little cream. However, we recommend using natural versions and not chemical sugar substitutes or hydrogenated dairy-less creamers. For your health and well-being, stick with real, pure, non-GMO options.
NEVER use a microwave:
NEVER use the microwave to heat your water or to warm up your tea! It will make your tea taste flat. If your tea goes cold, simply pour some hot water into your cup to raise the temperature.
Ultimately, the best cup of tea is the one YOU like the best. Experiment with water temperature, steeping time, and amount of tea to create the cup of tea you prefer. There is no right or wrong way to brew tea.
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