Preparation Instructions

To brew the perfect cup of tea, it is critical to use the right amount of tea and to steep the leaves at the proper temperature. Green and white teas are much more delicate than black teas and can be ruined by water that is too hot. Contrary to the “English Style” of having a rolling boil can make a tea that is too bitter (hence the need for sugar and cream in the tea). Below is a guide to help you brew the perfect cup. This is meant only as a guide and should be customized to your own personal tastes. Most importantly, don’t get hung up on the rules and enjoy your tea!

Getting the temperature right?

There are several ways to get the temperature of your water just right. The easiest way is to buy a water heater that has a temperature gauge that allows you to set the proper temperature for the type of tea you are brewing.

Another method is to heat the water to just the right temperature. By watching the water, you can gauge its temperature.

175° small bubbles appear

180° small bubbles begin to rise

190° medium bubbles appear

195° medium bubbles appear to rise

205° near boil

212° boiling

A third method to achieve the correct temperature for your water is to heat it until boiling and then let it cool down to the desired temperature.

A few other hints:

If you prefer stronger tea, increase the amount of tea leaves, not the steep time.

If possible, use filtered or bottled water (not distilled). If your water is hard or has lots of minerals, the taste of the tea can be over powered.

It’s important to use an infuser large enough to allow the tea leaves to open and expand. Many “tea balls” are not good for this.