To make tea from tea, you steep loose leaf tea (or tea from a tea bag) in hot water. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Steps to Brew Tea
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Gather Your Supplies: You'll need loose leaf tea (or a tea bag), hot water, a tea infuser (if using loose leaf), a cup or pot, and optionally, a kettle.
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Heat the Water: Heat fresh, filtered water to the appropriate temperature for your tea type. (See table below) Avoid re-boiling water, as it can flatten the taste.
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Measure the Tea: A general guideline is 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 250 ml (8.4 fl oz) of water. Adjust to your preference. If using a tea bag, use one bag per cup.
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Place Tea in Infuser (if using loose leaf): Put the measured tea into your infuser. Ensure the infuser is clean.
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Place Infuser in Cup or Pot: Position the infuser inside your cup or pot. If using a tea bag, simply place the bag in the cup.
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Pour Hot Water: Gently pour the hot water over the tea leaves or tea bag.
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Steep for the Recommended Time: Allow the tea to steep according to the tea type recommendations. (See table below)
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Remove the Infuser or Tea Bag: Once the steeping time is complete, remove the infuser or tea bag. Leaving it in too long can result in a bitter taste.
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Enjoy! Sip and savor your freshly brewed tea. Add sweeteners or milk if desired.
Recommended Water Temperatures and Steeping Times:
Tea Type | Water Temperature (°C/°F) | Steeping Time |
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White Tea | 75-85°C / 167-185°F | 1-3 minutes |
Green Tea | 70-80°C / 158-176°F | 1-3 minutes |
Oolong Tea | 80-95°C / 176-203°F | 3-5 minutes |
Black Tea | 95-100°C / 203-212°F | 3-5 minutes |
Herbal Tea | 100°C / 212°F | 5-7 minutes |
Pu-erh Tea | 95-100°C / 203-212°F | 2-5 minutes |
Important Considerations:
- Water Quality: Use filtered water for the best flavor.
- Tea Quality: High-quality tea generally yields a more flavorful brew.
- Steeping Time: Adjust steeping time to your personal taste.
Brewing tea involves steeping tea leaves in hot water, carefully controlling temperature and time to extract the desired flavors.