How To Steep Loose Leaf Tea
How To Steep Loose Leaf Tea
When it comes to making an amazing cup of tea, there are a few steps that we like to follow to make tea brewing easy and simple. Following these simple steps below will ensure that your next cup of tea will be better than your last, and it will open up your world to so many other teas. You can also show off your brewing skills to your friends!
Most tea experts say 1 teaspoon per eight ounces of water unless otherwise noted on the packaging of the tea you're brewing. After all, it is a "tea" spoon. This is a great rule of thumb to follow whether you are just starting out or if you are an avid tea drinker, like me. Now here's the fun part. After you brew a few cups and gain some experience, you'll learn what your taste preferences are and how you like your tea. Start with this information, but experiment until you find "your cup of tea". Maybe your next cup will have 1 1/2 teaspoons of tea or go all out and make it 1 tablespoon per 8oz. Everyone is different and you will never know what you like until you try it. Keep in mind that a little bit of tea can go a long way. This also helps keep your cost per serving down.
2) Steep your tea in the correct water temperature
This step is the most important one of all. When brewing your tea, it is important to steep it at the recommended temperature. Otherwise, your experience might not be as good as it could have been, thus why I believe some people conclude that they don't like tea. Maybe they did it wrong... Here's an example. Let's say you're steeping our Raspberry Green tea. Typically you should steep this type of green tea at 150 - 170 degrees. If the water is boiling, you will burn the leaves which will give the tea a bitter taste. Too low of a temperature and the water will not extract all the good stuff that your body will benefit from. Learn how to get the correct water temperature using a tea kettle in an upcoming post.
3) Timing is key
Just like the temperature of the water, it is important to time how long your tea is steeping. We suggest steeping black tea, such as our Cinnamon Roll tea, for 3-5 minutes. You could probably get away with letting it steep for a little more than 5 minutes, but let's say instead of 5 minutes you let it steep for 10 or 15. You will likely notice a much different taste than a cup that had steeped for 3-5 minutes. Typically, tea that is over-steeped becomes bitter, which most people do not like. You can still drink it, and in most cases we do. If you do not want to drink your over-steeped tea, we recommend watering your plants with it! Once it cools down, of course.
Helpful tips
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Covering the tea as it steeps helps prevent vital oils from escaping through the steam.
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Using an electric kettle with temperature control will consistently brew excellent tea.
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Use a little bit of honey to sweeten up a cup of over-steeped tea.
We hope this information helps you steep the best cup of tea you have had so far. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out. Remember to add love and happiness to each cup you steep!
Cheers,
The Lamie Brothers
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