Brewing loose leaf tea is a delightful process that allows you to fully appreciate the flavours and aromas of the tea leaves. The brewing time can vary depending on the type of tea you're using, as different teas require different temperatures and steeping times to bring out their best qualities. Here's a general guide on how to brew loose leaf tea:
Equipment You'll Need:
- Loose leaf tea
- Teapot or tea infuser
- Tea kettle or hot water source
- Tea cup or mug
- Timer
Steps:
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Choose Your Tea: Select the type of loose leaf tea you'd like to brew. Common types include black, green, white, oolong, herbal, and more. Each type will have specific brewing instructions, so it's essential to know what type of tea you're working with. You can read the Let's talk Tea blog post for more information about the different types.
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Measure the Tea leaves: Use about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 200ml cup. Adjust the amount based on your taste preferences and the tea's strength.
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Preheat Your Teapot or Infuser: Pour hot water into your teapot or tea infuser to preheat it. This helps maintain the water temperature during brewing, ensuring even extraction.
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Heat the Water: Different teas require different water temperatures to bring out the best in them. If the water is too hot the tea can become bitter. Here are some general guidelines:
- Black Tea: Boiling water (212°F or 100°C)
- Green Tea: 175-185°F (80-85°C)
- White Tea: 160-185°F (70-85°C)
- Oolong Tea: 185-205°F (85-96°C)
- Herbal Tea: Boiling water (212°F or 100°C)
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Add Tea Leaves: Discard the preheating water and add the appropriate amount of tea leaves to your teapot or infuser.
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Pour Water: Pour the heated water slowly over the tea leaves so not to disturb them too much. Be sure to cover all the leaves to ensure even steeping.
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Start the Timer: Different teas have different steeping times so to ensure the perfect taste profile. Here's a general guideline:
- Black Tea: 3-5 minutes
- Green Tea: 1-3 minutes
- White Tea: 2-5 minutes
- Oolong Tea: 3-5 minutes
- Herbal Tea: 5-7 minutes
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Monitor the Steeping Time: It's crucial not to over-steep your tea, as it can result in bitterness (Green tea especially). Use a timer to track the steeping time accurately.
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Remove the Tea Leaves: Once the tea has steeped for the appropriate time, remove the tea leaves from the teapot or infuser to prevent over-extraction. Putting them into a compost is great for the garden.
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Enjoy Your Tea: Pour the brewed tea into your cup or mug and savour the flavours and aromas. You can enjoy it plain or add sweeteners, milk, or other flavourings according to your preference.
Remember that these are general guidelines, and the best flavour might come from some experimentation. Over time, you'll develop a sense of how you like your tea brewed.
Enjoy your tea journey!
Visit Tea & Leaves and check out our wide range of loose leaf teas and herbal infusions.