What Do You Need To Know About Properly Brewing Loose Leaf Tea

How do you brew loose leaf tea? The process of getting that perfectly delicious cup of tea is actually pretty simple, but it can seem complex and overwhelmingly difficult to a newcomer. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t brew the perfect cup of tea on your first couple tries. It can be a fun adventure to brew tea, and you should feel free to try new things and experiment with it. The important thing is to have fun with the experience, and don’t stress it. Tea time should be a happy time.

Water is important
    
Starting with cold, fresh water is a tip for brewing amazing tea. Using purified water can only make the tea taste better, and try not to use distilled water that has been drained of its mineral content. The water the tea is brewed with will affect the tea, of course. So using the freshest, best tasting water will enhance your tea experience.

Preheat your teapot
    
Another good tip is to preheat the cup or teapot which you will be drinking your tasty beverage out of. The hot water being immediately poured into a cold cup will make the temperature of your beverage drop too fast. When it drops this quickly, you will not be experiencing the full flavor of the tea. Pour a bit of the steaming hot water from the kettle into your tea pot and into the cups you will be drinking from. This will warm them and prevent the tea from losing its heat too quickly, and will result in the best, most flavorful experience for you.

How much tea should you use?
    
Use about three grams of loose leaf tea for every six or so ounces of water. Approximate by using a teaspoon of dry tea leaves in every six ounces of water. Adjust the amount of leaves according to the type of tea you are using, as different types have different weights. Two teaspoons may be needed for the lighter teas like Chinese white tea.

What temperature should you brew it?
    
Different types of teas need to be brewed at different temperatures. Black tea or types of oolong tea will need to be put into boiling water. White tea is delicate and should not be put into boiling water. Let the water steam to preserve the flavor of this tea just about 176 degrees F. Green, and certain types of oolong tea will not need to be steeped in boiling water either but can be brewed in water that is a higher temperature than what you would brew white tea leaves in just about 180-190 degrees F.

How long should you brew it?
    
The amount of time you let the tea brew will also depend on the type of tea leaves you are steeping. The smaller the tea leaf is, the less time you will need to steep it. A minute or two may be all it needs. Taste test it until you have found the proper length of time that produces the best flavor. Oolong and black teas may need more time, and herbal teas may need even longer.
    
The important thing is to think of this as a tea adventure, and to enjoy the delectable tea that you have brewed yourself.