Preparing Tea
Seven Steps to Great Tea
There are many varieties of tea, which means there are many ways to prepare it. This guide is to here to make it simple, discuss only the basics, and get you started.
Step 1: Use Good Tea
Using good tea almost always means using loose leaf tea. This doesn’t need to be expensive tea. Though you can prepare great tea poorly, you can’t steep bad tea into good tea. Teas like High Noon Yunnan Black Tea and Ceylon Rainforest Green Tea offer excellent value at affordable prices.
Step 2: Use Good Water
If your tap water tastes good without tea, chances are it will taste good with tea. The opposite is also true.
If you need to buy water, we strongly suggest buying spring water. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Avoid distilled water.
Step 3: Measure Your Tea
Start by using 3 grams per 10-12 ounces water. Adjust to taste if needed. Some teas are bulkier than others, so we highly suggest weighing your tea. Gram scales are cheap and widely available if you don’t already have one.
Step 4: Use the Correct Water Temperature
Different teas require different water temperatures for steeping. Using water that is too hot results in tea that is bitter or lacking proper balance. There are a variety of electric kettles that are inexpensive and widely available that allow you to target the temperature you desire. You can also use a thermometer.
| Recommended Water Temps for Steeping Different Tea Types | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tea Type | Water Temperature | |
| Black Tea | 212°F (100°C) - Boiling | |
| Oolong Tea | 195°F (91°C) | |
| Green Tea | 175–185°F (79-85°C) | |
| White Tea | 175–185°F (79-85°C) | |
| Raw Puer Tea | 175–185°F (79-85°C) | |
| Ripe Puer & Dark Tea | 212°F (100°C) - Boiling | |
| Herbal Tisanes | 212°F (100°C) - Boiling | |
These are just guidelines. All TeaSource packages come with steeping suggestions printed on the label. Always adjust to your tastes.
Step 5: Time the Steep
The longer you steep the leaves, the more chemical elements will be extracted into your cup. Proper steep time avoids bitterness and gives a balanced, optimal cup character. These are just guidelines. Adjust to taste.
| Recommended Steeping Times for Different Tea Types | |
|---|---|
| Tea Type | Recommended Steeping Time |
| Black Tea | 3–4 minutes |
| Green Tea | 2–3 minutes |
| Oolong Tea | 3–4 minutes |
| White Tea | 2–3 minutes |
| Raw Puer Tea | 2–3 minutes |
| Ripe Puer & Dark Tea | 2–3 minutes |
| Herbal Tisanes | 4–6 minutes |
Step 6: Allow for Full Leaf Expansion
Tea leaves will expand 2-5 times in size when they’ve re-hydrated after steeping. You have to allow room for full leaf expansion or you will not get the best results.
Recommended Teaware
Step 7: Stop the Steep
This is self-explanatory, but it is the most common mistake. When the tea has steeped for the desired time, you must remove the leaves from the water or the leaves will continue to steep, causing the tea to become bitter and astringent.