A perfect cup of tea is something many wish to achieve. It all starts with water and tea leaves, but there are a few other things to keep in mind, too. I completely understand the need for convenience when it comes to tea bags. I do occasionally enjoy them myself. But most of my favourite cups of tea were made with loose leaf teas. Loose leaf tea can seem a bit daunting at first, but making the switch and steeping a good cup of tea with it is actually quite simple. If you’re just beginning to explore loose leaf tea or need some guidance to improve your cup, follow the step-by-step instructions here. Please remember that these “rules” are only guidelines. You should always make tea how you like it, so you’ll like it! After all, how to make a perfect cup of tea may vary depending on the tea drinker.
Tea bags or Loose leaf tea?
Loose leaf is what I recommend for the best tasting cup of tea. Loose leaf tea offers more flavour because the leaf size is larger than what you would find in most commercial tea bags.
Generally tea bags are filled with dust and fannings leftover from tea leaves. They are manufactured to give a quick, strong steep.
The step-by-step instructions below uses loose leaf tea but if you would like to still use tea bags the same “rules” apply. Just swap out the loose leaf tea measurement for 1 tea bag and you’re good to go!
What Is Western Style Tea Brewing?
Throughout this loose leaf tea steeping guide you’ll see me referring to this steeping method as western style. This is an easy steeping method that is used in a lot of households, restaurants, cafes, etc.
If you typically prepare tea with tea bags, you’re most likely already steeping western style. Preparing loose leaf tea with this method is fairly simple too.
In comparison to other steeping methods like gongfu style, western style uses a lower tea leaf to water ratio. The steeping times are also much longer. This allows the tea drinker to extract as much flavour possible at once.
What Tools Do I Need To Make Loose Leaf Tea?
- loose leaf tea
- kettle with water
- mug or teapot
- infuser with lid
- tea spoon
- timer
If you don’t have all of the above tools recommended, don’t worry! I offer some replacement options for a few items in the guide below.
How to Steep a Perfect Cup of Tea
To make the perfect cup of tea every time just follow the 7 simple steps below! I’m also answering some frequently asked tea questions along the way.
Step 1: Begin with freshly drawn water
A good cup of tea starts with good water!
For the best tasting tea, always fill your kettle with fresh, filtered water. Stale water or re-boiling water is not ideal.
Step 2: Follow water temperatures for each tea
Water temperature plays an important role when making a good cup of tea because the flavours a tea releases will differ at certain temperatures.
If the water is too hot, you risk burning the tea leaves and creating a bitter cup of tea.
If the water is too cold, you risk not letting the tea leaves infuse properly and creating a weak cup of tea.
A variable temperature kettle is super handy as you can control the temperature. This is helpful because the perfect temperate depends on the type of tea you are making. The water temperatures can vary and I recommend following the suggestions that come with the loose leaf tea first.
Most tea companies should include ideal water temperatures with their steeping instructions on the tea label. However, below is a standard tea steeping guide.
Please note the above is just a guideline and is most ideal for western style brewing. Water temperatures will vary depending on the exact tea and ingredients if it’s a blend. For instance, matcha is a green tea but it is actually recommended to use water that is heated to around 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
RELATED READ: The 6 Different Types of Teas
How can I heat water to the correct temperature for tea without a variable temperature kettle?
If you don’t have a variable temperature kettle, boil the water and let it sit uncovered for the appropriate time listed below. You can also check the temperature with a kitchen thermometer.
Boil Water & Let Sit Uncovered For:
Green, White or Yellow Tea: 5 minutes
Oolong Tea: 3 minutes
Dark Tea (Puerh): 2 minutes
Can I use a microwave to heat the water for tea?
Microwaving water for tea is not recommended.
Unlike tea kettles, microwaves are not designed to heat water to boiling temperature. In fact, a microwave may overheat water which will result in a bad tasting cup of tea. Therefore, it makes it trickier to get the right temperature of water for a certain tea.
An electric kettle or stovetop kettle is definitely a better option, even if it’s not variable temperature.
Step 3: Warm up the mug and/or teapot before steeping
Warming a mug or teapot prior to making tea will help maintain the desired water temperature.
If you add hot water to a vessel that is cold, the water temperature will lower more quickly. Therefore, it would no longer be at the temperature needed to properly steep the tea leaves.
To warm a mug or teapot before steeping simply add hot water to it. After the mug or teapot is warm, discard the water.
Step 4: Accurate tea leaves to water ratio
First, follow the instructions that came with your tea if it lists how many scoops of tea to use per cup. But, a general rule to follow with western-style tea brewing is about 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water.
However, there are some loose leaf teas that are large leaf and may need 1.5-2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of water.
If you use too much tea leaves for little amount of water, your steep will be very strong. It will be more like a tea concentrate than a standard cup of tea.
If you use too much water and not enough tea leaves, your cup of tea will be very weak.
Tip: If you have a kitchen scale on hand, it will be the best tool for the most accurate tea leaf to water ratio. Ideally use 2-3 grams of leaf per 8 ounces of water. A scale is not mandatory for this tea steeping guide though.
What kind of tea infuser should I use?
There are lots of good options. My favourite is a tea infuser basket as it’s simple to use and fits in a variety of cups or even teapots. But, most importantly, tea infuser baskets are spacious.
Loose leaf teas will expand when steeping. Depending on the type of tea, the leaves can expand up to 5 times the size! That’s why I do not recommend tea infuser balls. They are too small and won’t let tea leaves fully expand.
When tea leaves don’t fully expand they won’t release their full flavour. Therefore, it’s best to find a loose leaf tea infuser that will give the tea leaves lots of room. Click here for some recommendations.
Step 5: Cover while steeping
This is a simple step that can sometimes be overlooked. Putting a lid on a mug or teapot of tea while steeping is important for a few different reasons.
Similar to warming up the teapot or mug, covering tea during the steeping process will help it maintain the water temperature needed.
Also, for some scented or blended teas, including herbals, a cover is necessary for the most flavourful and beneficial cup. Without a cover, you risk letting the essential oils escape through the steam.
Tip: If you don’t have a lid for your cup, place a small plate or saucer on top while steeping. You can also purchase this tea mug cover (affiliate link) that was designed for this purpose.
Step 6: Time your steeps
Don’t set it and forget it when it comes to tea! You must keep track of the time when steeping.
Similar to water temperature, the length of time you steep a tea will vary. Please refer to the same steeping guide above for suggestions.
If you steep a certain tea for too long, it will result in a bitter or weird tasting cup. This is because tea leaves begin to release tannins when left in hot water. Tannins are chemical compounds that will change the taste of tea.
Alternatively, if you do not steep a tea long enough, it will not infuse properly and may lack flavour.
RELATED READ: Here’s Why Your Cup of Tea Tastes Bad
What should I do if I over-steep my tea?
If you accidentally over-steep your cup of tea and don’t enjoy it, you can try adding a bit of hot water to your cup. This will water it down so it won’t be overly strong.
You could also try adding cool water and ice cubes to make a pitcher of iced tea.
But, if either of these corrections don’t fix it and you still aren’t enjoying your cup of tea then please don’t drink it. Life is too short to drink bad tea.
Tip: You don’t need a fancy timer to make a good cup of tea. A standard kitchen timer or even an app on your phone will do the job!
Step 7: Remove tea leaves and enjoy!
Just like that you have a delicious cup of tea! Enjoy it however you wish to — plain or with milk or sweetener.
Most high quality loose leaf teas can actually be steeped again. So, when you take the tea infuser out of your cup, don’t toss the tea leaves out right away. Instead, set it to the side to use later and enjoy your cup of tea.
How do I re-steep tea leaves?
If you would like a second cup, put the tea infuser back in your cup. Using the same tea leaves add hot water and steep again. Essentially, repeat the steps above. For additional steeps you should increase the steep time by 1-2 minutes.
How many times can I re-steep tea leaves?
The amount of re-steeps will depend on the tea. Not all teas will be good for 2 or more steeps. Generally, I like to keep steeping the same leaves again until the water no longer changes colour.
How To Make A Perfect Cup of Tea
Equipment
- kettle
- mug or teapot
- infuser with lid
- tea spoon
- timer
Ingredients
- 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea or 1 tea bag
- 8 ounces of water plus more for warming up steeping vessels
Instructions
- Fill kettle with fresh, filtered water. Don't re-boil or use stale water.
- Heat the water to the temperature needed for the tea you are using. For example, a black tea needs water between 90-100°C or 195-212°F but a green tea will need water at a much lower temperature. Refer to the tea steeping guide on this blog post.
- Add hot water to the mug or teapot. Once warm, discard.
- Place tea infuser inside the mug or teapot. Add 1 teaspoon of tea leaves and 8 ounces of hot water.
- Cover the mug or teapot and let the steep process begin.
- Set a timer. Again, refer to the tea steeping guide on this blog post to know how long to steep the tea. For example, a black tea needs to steep 3-5 minutes.
- Remove the tea leaves. If you wish, you can add milk or sweetener at this step. Tea can also be enjoyed plain. Happy sipping!
Want to make the perfect cup of tea? Pin this guide for later here –> https://bit.ly/33YV2uE
What makes a cup of tea perfect to you? Let me know in the comments below!
Excellent easy steps to steep the best tea! Thank you!