How to Brew Loose-Leaf Tea: Find Your Everyday Ritual

A good cup of tea doesn’t need to be complicated. A few loose leaves, fresh water, and a little time are enough to get started. From there, it’s about finding what tastes good to you.

Start with your tea’s brewing instructions

Different teas need different treatment. Check the instructions on your tea’s packaging first, then use the suggestions below as a starting point.

For an 10 ounce cup, try about 1 teaspoon or 3 grams of loose-leaf tea. Fluffy herbs and large leaves may need more volume than tightly rolled teas, so a small kitchen scale can help you get consistent results.

Give the leaves room

Use a roomy infuser or a teapot with a strainer. Tea leaves expand as they steep and space lets water circulate around them.

Watch your water temperature

Boiling water isn’t the best choice for every tea. Green and white teas often benefit from cooler water, while many black teas and herbal infusions work well with hotter water.

If you have a temperature-controlled kettle, these are useful starting points:

• Green tea: 175–185°F, steep for 2–3 minutes.
• White tea: 175–185°F, steep for 2–3 minutes.
• Black tea: 200–212°F, steep for 3–5 minutes.
• Herbal infusions: 200–212°F, steep for 3–5 minutes.

These are starting points, not rules. Your tea’s own instructions take priority.

Taste, then adjust

When the steeping time is up, remove the leaves and take a sip.

Too strong? Try a shorter steep or fewer leaves next time. Too light? Add a little more tea. If your cup tastes bitter, try cooler water or a shorter steep rather than adding more time.

For stronger flavor, especially with green tea, using more leaves is often a better experiment than steeping much longer.

Try another cup with the same leaves

Many loose-leaf teas can be steeped again. Add fresh water and adjust the steeping time to taste. Some teas reveal different flavors on the second cup, so it’s worth exploring before you discard the leaves.

Find your starting point

Enjoy a fuller-flavored cup? Explore our Black Tea collection. Prefer something without caffeine? Start with Caffeine Free. Curious about our own creations? Discover our House Blended Tea or explore Green Tea for a different everyday ritual.

Start with the basics, follow your taste and make it yours.