In order to make the perfect cup of tea, it’s important to have the correct temperature for the type you are brewing and to also steep the leaves for the right amount of time. This will ensure that you bring out the best flavour of the leaves, resulting in the perfect cuppa.

Quantity

A general rule for loose leaf tea is to use 1 teaspoon per 250ml of hot water.

Temperature

Different types of tea require different water temperatures. Having the temperature too high can result in a bitter taste. I personally love the Healthy Choice Digital Glass Kettle 1.2L as it lets me set the temperature as per the tea leaves I’m using. It also comes with a tea infuser and keeps the water at a constant temperature with its warming function. There are a variety of kettles on the market which allows you to adjust the temperature, this one is just a personal favourite and works well for me.

If you don’t have a temperature kettle, you can use a cooking thermometer or let the water cool down before adding the leaves. Letting boiled water sit for roughly 2-3 minutes will cool it down to about 80 degrees.

Steeping

How long you steep your tea for also depends on the type of leaves you are using. Here is a general guide for how long to steep your tea and at what temperatures. This is just a guide and personal taste will differ. For example, I often steep my black teas for a shorter time. Longer steeping also increases the caffeine content. Just remember that steeping for too long and at too high of a temperature will result in a bitter taste.

Perfect Temperature for your Tea.

Black- 100C, 3-5 mins

Green- 80C, 1-2 mins

Herbal- 100C, 3-5 mins

Roobios- 100C, 3-5 mins

White- 80C, 3-5 mins

Oolong- 80, 3-5 mins