Brewing Guide
Brewing Guide
Better tea, without making it complicated.
Loose leaf tea is forgiving once you know the basics: fresh water, enough leaf, the right heat, and a steep time you can adjust to taste.
Simple starting ratio
Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8 oz cup, then adjust stronger or lighter next time.
Start here
Steep by tea type.
BlackBoiling3+ minutes
Best for Earl Grey, breakfast-style cups, berry black teas, and richer dessert blends.
GreenBelow boiling1-2 minutes
Use gentler water for jasmine, blueberry, citrus, and lighter green teas.
HerbalBoiling5+ minutes
Give herbs, fruit, flowers, ginger, and chamomile enough time to fully open.
RooibosBoiling5+ minutes
Rooibos handles longer steeps well and is naturally caffeine-free.
The method
A calm cup in four steps.
- Warm the cup or pot.A quick rinse with hot water keeps the brew temperature steady.
- Measure the tea.Start with 1 teaspoon per 8 oz cup. Use more leaf for iced tea or stronger flavor.
- Mind the water.Black, herbal, and rooibos like boiling water. Green tea prefers water just below boiling.
- Taste and adjust.If it is too light, steep longer or use more leaf. If it is bitter, shorten the time or cool the water.
For iced tea
Brew stronger, then chill.
For iced tea, use about twice the loose leaf tea, steep normally, then pour over ice. Fruit teas, green blueberry, peach blends, and berry black teas are especially easy to enjoy cold.
If it tastes flatUse a little more leaf, fresher water, or a longer steep.
If it tastes bitterShorten the steep time, especially with green tea.
If it smells better than it tastesTry covering the cup while it steeps to hold in aroma.
Ready to brew?
