Tea Steeping Tips

1. Use the best quality water as possible.
2. Keep a timer nearby and use it every time you make tea (smart phones and microwaves timers work well).
3. Use a thermometer to take the temperature of the water when you want it cooler (a candy or meat thermometer work well). Once you boil the water, you can pour it into a mug to cool for a couple of minutes or add some cold water.
4. Use a high quality infuser or paper tea filter with enough room to allow the tea leaves to expand. If they are cramped in a small tea ball or tea bag, not as much flavor is released.
5. Follow the instructions on the tea package or these guidelines:

• Black tea: 208 degrees, 3-5 min.
• Green: 170-185 degrees, 1-3 min.
• White: 180-190 degrees, 1-3 min.
• Oolong: 195 degrees, 3-5 min.
• Herbal blends: 208 degrees, 5-7 min.

We recommend taking the most care with green teas. Water that is too hot and steeping for too long can bring out bitterness in green tea, which is why many people don’t like green tea. Feel free to experiment with steeping time and temperatures as everyone’s taste preference is different. Enjoy!

Don't have a thermometer handy? One rule of thumb that you can use is that, at room temperature, when you pour water into a cup it'll cool 8-10° F for every minute. So, if you are making green tea and are shooting for 180° water, just let the once-boiling water cool in the cup for about 3-3.5 minutes, and then add your tea!