How to Brew Tea the Right Way

Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world. Today, you can find a huge variety of blends, and it’s important to remember that the brewing conditions may differ.

5-Minute Crafts has studied expert advice on how to brew tea properly. Depending on the type of tea, the brewing time and water temperature may vary, but one recommendation stays the same — only fresh filtered water should be used when making tea.

How to brew black tea and dark oolong tea

Brewing time: 3 to 5 minutes

Water temperature: 199°F to 204°F

• Boil the water, turn off the kettle, and wait for 1 to 2 minutes until the water cools down to 199°F to 204°F.
• Rinse the teapot and pour the boiling water over its inside part.
• Place tea leaves inside or put them in a special strainer with the following proportion: 1 tsp of tea leaves per 1 cup of tea.
• Pour hot water over the leaves and put the lid on the kettle.
• Brew the tea for 3 to 5 minutes, and then pour it into cups.

How to brew green tea and light oolong tea

Brewing time: 1 to 3 minutes

Water temperature: 158°F to 194°F

• Boil the water, turn off the kettle, and wait for 3 to 5 minutes until the water cools down to 158°F to 194°F. A temperature of 158°F is suitable for delicate green tea rolled from the top leaves, 176°F for mature or long green tea, and 185°F to 194 °F for light oolong tea.

• Rinse the teapot and pour the boiling water over its inside part.

• Place the tea leaves inside or put them in a special strainer with the following proportion: 1 tsp of tea leaves per 1 cup of tea.

• Pour hot water over the leaves and put the lid on the kettle.

• After a minute, drain the water and pour the water in again. This procedure will allow the leaves to open up and give more flavor and aroma to the second brew.

• Brew the tea for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on its type. You should brew young green tea for a minute or less, mature or long green tea for about 2 minutes, and light oolong tea for 2 to 3 minutes.

• Pour the tea into cups.

How to brew rooibos tea

Brewing time: 5 minutes

Water temperature: 208°F

• Boil the water, turn off the kettle, and wait a minute for the water to cool down to 208°F.

• Rinse the teapot and pour boiling water over its inside part.

• Place the tea leaves inside or put them in a special strainer with the following proportion: 1 tsp of tea leaves per 1 cup of tea.

• Pour hot water over the rooibos leaves and put the lid on the kettle.

• Steep the tea for 5 minutes, and then pour it into cups.

How to brew herbal tea

Brewing time: 5 to 7 minutes

Water temperature: 201°F to 212°F

• Boil the water, turn off the kettle, and wait for a minute until the water cools down to a temperature below 212°F.
• Rinse the teapot and pour boiling water over its inside part.

• Place the tea leaves inside or put them in a special strainer with the following proportion: 1 tsp of herbs per 1 cup of tea.

• Pour hot water over the herbs and put the lid on the kettle.

• Steep the herbal tea for 5 to 7 minutes, and then pour it into cups.