There’s more to making a good cup of tea than simply boiling the kettle and throwing a tea bag into a cup. If you want to get the most out of your loose leaf tea, you’ll want to learn proper brewing technique. And it’s very simple.
Below you’ll find a chart with information about water temperate and steeping time for the different kinds of tea. These are not absolute rules, just a good starting point. A good tea will often come with its own brewing guide, which is worth paying attention to.
| Tea Type | Temperature °C | Brewing time |
|---|---|---|
| White | 70-80°C | 1-2 minutes |
| Green | 80°C | 2 minutes |
| Oolong | 90°C | 2-3 minutes |
| Black | 95°C | 2-4 minutes |
| Pu-erh | 100°C | 3-6 minutes |
If you lack a kettle with temperature controls, there’s an easy rule to follow to get the right temperature. Boil the kettle, and let it rest. For approximately each minute you let it rest after boiling, the water will cool by 5-10°C. Of course, there exceptions within each class of tea. Try experimenting with different times. Adding or subtracting 30 seconds is a good start. Remember that above all else you’re trying to find what works best for you and your tea.