The things you need to prepare to brew tea leaves are hot water, tea leaves, and a filter. However, each type of tea requires a slightly different brewing technique. For best results, follow the recommended size, water temperature, and brewing time guidelines on the tea package. Experiment with different amounts or lengths of brewing tea. Finally, add your favorite sweetener or milk for a relaxing cup of tea that's exactly what you want.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Mastering Tea Brewing Basics
Step 1. Pour cold, raw water into a saucepan or pitcher
Do not use distilled or boiled water as this can spoil the taste of your tea. Instead, start with cold, raw water from the tap. Use an electric kettle, a regular kettle, or a small saucepan to warm the water.
If the water in your area is hard (i.e. contains a lot of lime or other minerals) consider using bottled water so you can get a good tea
Step 2. Heat the water until it reaches a temperature of 71° to 100° C
Remove any water that has started to steam, is hot, or is really boiling. Depending on the type of tea you are preparing, you may need a slightly hotter or slightly colder water to bring out the best flavor from the tea leaves. Use a thermometer to help you get an accurate temperature.
- If you want, you can bring the water to a boil and cool it slightly to the right temperature before using it to brew tea leaves.
- In general, green and white teas can be brewed with lower temperature water that is just starting to steam, while oolong teas are generally better prepared at a moderate boiling temperature. Black and Puerh teas tolerate hotter temperatures when the water is fully boiling.
Step 3. Measure about 2 to 3 grams of tea leaves for every 180 ml of water
Tea leaves come in various shapes and sizes. So, it's better if you measure it in units of weight (eg grams) instead of volume. However, if you're measuring using a volume measure, start with about a teaspoon for small leaves and about a tablespoon for large leaves. Spoon as many tea leaves as you want into a tea strainer or teapot, depending on how you want to brew it.
- One cup of tea holds about 180 ml of water, but since most coffee cups hold about 300 to 350 ml of water, you may need to double the number of tea leaves to brew in a larger cup.
- The amount of tea you will use depends entirely on your taste. Brew more or less to see which you prefer.
Step 4. Steep the tea leaves in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes
Pour hot water directly on the tea leaves and let the flavor ooze out for a few minutes. The brewing time may vary slightly depending on the type of tea. So, make sure you follow the brewing guide on the tea packaging. If you're not sure how long to brew, start brewing the tea for three minutes for your first cup. Then, add another 30 seconds for each subsequent cup until you find the right flavor.
- In general, green and oolong teas can be brewed for three minutes, white teas for four minutes, and black and Puerh teas for five minutes.
- Do not brew the tea for more than five minutes as it will become bitter. If you want a stronger tea, just add the tea leaves, without increasing the brewing time.
- Herbal teas do not actually contain tea leaves. Therefore, you can brew it longer without fear of the tea turning bitter.
Step 5. Remove the tea leaves from the water when they are finished brewing
How you will do this depends on the type of filter you are using. The basket-shaped strainer, metal or silicone tea strainer and filter bag can be removed from the teapot or teacup to stop the tea infusion. Place a strainer in the holder of a spoon or coaster to catch the drippings from the wet tea leaves.
- If you are brewing tea directly in the teapot, hold the strainer over the teacup to catch the wet tea leaves while you pour the tea.
- Discard the brewed tea while it is still wet or wait for it to dry to make it easier to remove from the strainer.
Method 2 of 2: Using a Tea Strainer
Step 1. Put the tea leaves directly on the strainer for easier cleaning
Put the basket-shaped strainer into the cup or teapot first. Measure out the tea leaves and put them in a strainer, then pour the hot water directly into the strainer. Make sure the tea leaves are completely submerged in water to brew properly.
After three to five minutes, remove the filter containing the wet tea leaves
Step 2. Choose a disposable tea filter bag for very small and fine tea leaves
Purchase a pack of disposable tea filter bags from a tea shop or grocery store. Use one bag each time you prepare very small tea leaves that cannot be filtered through a regular tea strainer. Keep the bag upright with the hole in the bag above the waterline to prevent the tea leaves from floating out.
You can also use a filter bag like this one if you want to make just one cup of tea for easy cleaning
Step 3. Use a mesh, basket-shaped strainer for the larger tea leaves
Most tea leaves can be easily brewed in this type of strainer. Choose the size that fits the hole in the cup or teapot you are using. The strainer should also not sway or sink in the teapot to prevent the tea leaves from coming out.
- Try using a special travel teacup that has a filter section if you are on the move. However, remember to remove the tea leaves after they have brewed for 3 to 5 minutes.
- A short basket or circular strainer may be suitable for a cup of tea, but use a deeper strainer to brew the tea leaves in a deep cup or teapot.
Step 4. Avoid using a spherical tea strainer for large or very small tea leaves
Spherical tea strainers made of metal or silicone are known for their unique shape. However, remember that a product like this is impractical. Do not use a filter like this for large tea leaves as the tea leaves will not open when exposed to water. Also, don't use a spherical tea strainer for very small tea leaves as the tea leaves can easily pass through the filter holes.
- If you're brewing medium-sized tea leaves with a little water, using a ball-shaped strainer won't be a problem.
- The hinged spherical filter is difficult to fill and quite difficult to open and close, especially when the metal gets hot.
Step 5. Leave enough room for the tea leaves to rise in the strainer
Tea leaves can expand up to five times their original size when exposed to hot water. Therefore, leave plenty of room in the tea strainer or filter bag. Do not overfill the filter.
- A mesh strainer allows the tea leaves to expand, while a ball strainer may squeeze the tea leaves.
- A little extra space will allow water to flow between the tea leaves so you'll get a better tasting tea.
Step 6. Strain the tea after brewing in the teapot if desired
This technique is useful if you don't have a strainer that fits into the pitcher. Instead of putting the tea leaves in a strainer, you can measure the tea leaves and put them directly into the teapot. Once the tea leaves have finished brewing, hold the strainer over the cup. Then, pour the tea into the cup and you will see the tea leaves filtering out.
The tea will become more bitter because the brewing process of the remaining tea leaves in the teapot is still ongoing
Tips
- To keep the tea warm longer, preheat your teapot or teacup by pouring boiling water into the cup or teapot and shaking it. Discard the water before adding the tea leaves and the rest of the heated water. Also, try covering the teapot with a teapot case to keep it warm.
- Soft green and white teas are best drunk as soon as possible, while black teas with a strong taste can be enjoyed for a longer time.
- After you pour the tea into the cup, add milk, honey, lemon, or sugar for taste. However, don't mix the milk and lemon together as the milk may clot.
- When you start making a particular type of tea, using a thermometer will be very helpful in measuring the temperature of the water. When you know how much steam and air bubbles form when the water reaches the optimal temperature, check the thermometer.
