The Ultimate Guide to Steeping Your Tea

03 Dec The Ultimate Guide to Steeping Your Tea

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world and has been a staple in cultures for hundreds of years. There are many different kinds of tea, and each tastes best when brewed with unique steeping parameters. Here’s a detailed guide on how to steep the most common (and some less common) types of tea:

Time and Temperature for Tea Brewing Matter

The two main parameters to focus on when brewing tea are time and temperature. While there may be different tea leaf brewing techniques for certain types of tea, these generally have minimal impact on the actual flavor. You don’t have to concern yourself too much with whether you use a tea infuser pot, tea bag filters, a loose tea filter, or another method. Instead, focus on how long you steep your loose leaf tea and the temperature of the water you use.

How to Steep Black Tea

Black tea is the most processed of the common tea varieties, and it can stand up to the harshest brewing conditions because of this. For the best results, steep black tea at a full boil (212 degrees Fahrenheit) for five minutes. Take care not to exceed this time, as oversteeping the tea will create harsh, acidic flavors that can make the final brew almost undrinkable.

How to Steep Green Tea

Green tea isn’t processed to the extent that black tea is and, therefore, requires a more delicate brewing process. Aim to steep your tea for three minutes in water between 160 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will draw out the sweeter flavors and antioxidants of the green tea.

If you don’t have a thermometer to manage the temperature of your water, watch for small “crab eye” bubbles to appear. When these form, the water is in the upper range of suitable temperatures for green tea.

How to Steep White Tea

White tea is less processed than green and black tea and requires an even more delicate brewing process. While the temperature will remain similar to green tea (160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit), you should shorten the steeping time to one to three minutes. However, the ideal time varies with each type of white tea, so the only way to know is through trial and error.

How to Steep Herbal Tea (Tisane)

Few people know that herbal teas (also known as tisanes) aren’t technically teas at all. While they require the same brewing process, they don’t come from the camellia sinensis plant like black, green, and white teas do. Because herbal “teas” are from different plants, they can generally withstand harsher brewing methods.

If you’re wondering how to infuse tea, it’s best to brew tisanes at a full boil for five or more minutes. This will ensure a rich flavor, and you won’t have to worry about the astringency of the camellia sinensis plant tainting the final brew.

How to Steep Oolong Tea

Oolong teas (both rolled and leaf oolongs) fall somewhere between black and green teas in terms of processing and brewing. You should steep your oolong tea between 185 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit for three to five minutes. Don’t be afraid to experiment with those parameters for individual teas.

If you don’t have a thermometer, you can get water into this temperature range by bringing it to a boil, removing it from the heat, and waiting 30 seconds. Alternatively, you can watch for “fish-eye” bubbles if you use a stovetop glass tea kettle or a glass whistling tea kettle.

When steeping oolong teas, you should also brew them multiple times. Their flavor will change each time you steep them, and many taste best between the fourth and eighth steeping. Some can even be brewed a dozen times and still taste good!

How to Steep Pu’Er Tea

Brewing Pu’er tea is a lot like brewing oolong, although Pu’er does better at the upper end of the temperature range. Use the technique above to gauge the water temperature in a glass stovetop tea kettle, and experiment with brewing for three to five minutes between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Many Pu’ers can also be steeped multiple times.

The most important thing to know when brewing Pu’er tea is that traditional types are fermented and stored, and microorganisms can grow in them as a result. Before the initial steeping, blanch Pu’er tea with a 15- to 30-second steep in boiling water to remove undesirable organisms. Then, steep as you otherwise would.

Brew Delicious Tea with the Right Products and Accessories

Should you need a glass tea kettle or tea kettle parts, Café Brew is your go-to source. Browse our inventory of tea kettles and tea brewing accessories to find the right one for your needs. Or, contact us for more information about the best products for making tea. Happy steeping!