LOOSE TEA TIPS
If you only starting to explore the world of teas, your first attempts in brewing may be a very enjoyable experience, or may result in unpleasant taste, too bitter, grassy, or tasteless, which can unfortunately turn you off from brewing your tea.
Once you create that tasty liquor and develop a love for the fresh infusion, you will start looking and find an endless varieties of tea types to choose from, as well as flavors, aromas, and body to keep experimenting with.
Obviously there are questions going through your mind: 'what are the proper steps for brewing?’, ‘do I have to follow them?’, ‘who said it has to be this way?’, etc.
For starters, do rely on the recommended instructions listed on the tea packages. Majority of companies selling teas already experimented with the tea types they are offering, performed proper tasting steps, and selected the best possible recipe. Follow those directions and than make changes to satisfy your specific taste.
Just remember, there is no right or wrong, it all depends on your personal preferences and the way the tea makes you feel.
Following are some helpful tips and guidelines but you have to explore, adjust, and develop your own way of brewing the perfect cup of tea.
Do not be afraid to experiment and enjoy!
Tip #1 Storage
Believe or not, the proper storing of your tea is important to preserve the freshness, the flavor, the aroma, and those special notes of honey, fruit, floral, or citrus that are naturally released into your beverage while brewing.
The elements that can damage your tea quality and diminish the antioxidants found in teas are the air, light, and moisture.
Store your teas in the air-tight containers, tins, special zip lock tea pouches, or glass jars, but away from the sun light or light in general, at room temperature. The cool, dry, and dark place, like your kitchen pantry or a storage shelf that has a solid (no glass) door is ideal.
Tip #2 What’s inside?
Tea Bag vs Loose Leaf.
Processed tea leaves, most often damaged due to a low processing quality, are contained within tea bags that sometimes look like a dust or finally crushed tea leaves. There is little or no health effect expected of such teas, and the taste may be ruined as well.
The see thru sachets, sometimes referred to as pyramid sachets, contain real loose leave tea (you can see them). These sachets are very convenient for those tea lovers whose busy schedule is in the way of longer brewing processes, and therefore became very popular and handy.
Finally, the best option, are the loose leaves, the actual tea leaves that will demand a bit of your time and some preparation. The end result will be worthwhile and satisfying, creating the unique and flavorful taste and aroma experience. It may also develop into a special custom of brewing tea that is fun to display and share with friends and family.
As additional information, the loose leaf teas contain lots of antioxidants and polyphenols known for many health benefits.
Tip #3 Amount of tea
Depending on the type and quality of tea leaves, the tea may taste bitter, if used too much, or some will create a weak and tasteless cup of tea, if used too little.
Start with smaller recommended amount, which for most teas is one teaspoons per 8 oz cup of water.
Keep an eye on a leaf size when they open during brewing process and adjust based on your taste preferences.
Tip #3 Quality of Water
Do not use distilled water.
You may use your tap water, unless it’s overly hard or soft, or have unpleasant chlorine and metallic taste.
Overly hard water will pull extra bitterness from the tea leaves.
Overly soft water will create a tasteless tea, since it is not pulling enough polyphenols.
Spring water or filtered water are good choices.
A pitcher with a carbon filter will help to remove the impurities, chlorine, and metallic taste.
Do not re-boil previously boiled water. Re-boiling will reduce level of oxygen and change the composition of the water, which becomes toxic. Always start by pouring fresh cold water.
If you let the water keep boiling, the oxygen dissolves and the tea will have a flat or dull taste. Remove water from the source of heat as soon as water starts boiling.
Do not use pre-heated water from a faucet - this will create a lifeless cup of tea.
Tip #4 The Source of Heat and Brewing Vessel
Do not use microwaves, which has no temperature control. The result may be too hot or create pockets of water at different heat levels.
Use regular stove top or electrical stainless steel or glass kettle to boil the water for your tea brewing.
The actual brewing pot (or vessel) ideally should be made of:
Try to avoid plastic.
One extra note for the real tea brewers.
Before brewing your tea, warm up the pot by swirling hot water around it, then empty it out. Now add your tea and pour boiling water. Keep it covered while brewing.
Tip #5 Water Temperature and Brewing Time per Tea Type:
Depending on the tea type, the temperature have to be adjusted from full boil, to medium, to below boiling. The proper temperature will protect more delicate leaves from burning (burned leaves create bitter flavor).
The temperature is specified on each tea package, but do you really need to measure it each time? No, you just need to understand how to recognize each temperature point.
Black and Herbal teas:
200 - 212°F - this is a full rolling boil. It is reached when large bubbles are rapidly rolling and swirling (212°F is highest boring point).
Turn the heat off, remove from heat, so the water contains good oxygen level.
This highest boiling level of water is normally recommended for most Black and all Herbal teas. The leaves are resilient enough to handle such high heat and are actually releasing the proper flavor and antioxidants in this temperature. Lesser temperature will create a weak tea with less flavor.
Strain the liquor from the brewing pot with Black tea in 3-4 min, with Herbal in 5 and up to 10 min (experiment!).
Oolong teas:
190 -200°F - slow boil - a rope of bubbles consistently rise to the top . The other way, if the water came to a full boiling, turn it off, allowed to sit for 5 minutes, which will drop the temperature to about 180°F.
Oolong Teas brewing time is normally 2 min, and for stronger tea is 3-4 min.
Green and some White teas:
170 - 185°F - simmer with gentle steam and slower rising of the bubbles to the top. This would be perfect for Green and White Teas since they are more delicate and require just below the boiling temperature. Higher temperature will make the taste too bitter or astringent.
Steep Green tea leafs for 2-3 min and White tea leafs for 2 min as a start.
Water temperature for White Teas may be in the lower range of 160-180°F - sometimes referred to as poaching or the water just beginning to move before simmering starts.
Summary for Making Your Perfect Cup of Tea:
1. Bring fresh cold water to a proper boil (quality of the water is important for a good tasting tea)
2. Preheat teapot by adding a little hot water, swirl around and discard
3. Add amount of tea leaves specified on the packaging into the pot
4. When boiled water at the desired temperature (see guidelines) add it to a pot over the tea leaves.
5. To retain the heat during the brewing process, cover the pot with cozy to keep it warm, wrap kitchen towel around the pot, or simply just use the pot cover.
6. Allow tea to brew according to the recommended time.
7. Pour the tea into serving cups as soon as the brewing time is reached.
Options:
Extra notes:
Once you create that tasty liquor and develop a love for the fresh infusion, you will start looking and find an endless varieties of tea types to choose from, as well as flavors, aromas, and body to keep experimenting with.
Obviously there are questions going through your mind: 'what are the proper steps for brewing?’, ‘do I have to follow them?’, ‘who said it has to be this way?’, etc.
For starters, do rely on the recommended instructions listed on the tea packages. Majority of companies selling teas already experimented with the tea types they are offering, performed proper tasting steps, and selected the best possible recipe. Follow those directions and than make changes to satisfy your specific taste.
Just remember, there is no right or wrong, it all depends on your personal preferences and the way the tea makes you feel.
Following are some helpful tips and guidelines but you have to explore, adjust, and develop your own way of brewing the perfect cup of tea.
Do not be afraid to experiment and enjoy!
Tip #1 Storage
Believe or not, the proper storing of your tea is important to preserve the freshness, the flavor, the aroma, and those special notes of honey, fruit, floral, or citrus that are naturally released into your beverage while brewing.
The elements that can damage your tea quality and diminish the antioxidants found in teas are the air, light, and moisture.
Store your teas in the air-tight containers, tins, special zip lock tea pouches, or glass jars, but away from the sun light or light in general, at room temperature. The cool, dry, and dark place, like your kitchen pantry or a storage shelf that has a solid (no glass) door is ideal.
Tip #2 What’s inside?
Tea Bag vs Loose Leaf.
Processed tea leaves, most often damaged due to a low processing quality, are contained within tea bags that sometimes look like a dust or finally crushed tea leaves. There is little or no health effect expected of such teas, and the taste may be ruined as well.
The see thru sachets, sometimes referred to as pyramid sachets, contain real loose leave tea (you can see them). These sachets are very convenient for those tea lovers whose busy schedule is in the way of longer brewing processes, and therefore became very popular and handy.
Finally, the best option, are the loose leaves, the actual tea leaves that will demand a bit of your time and some preparation. The end result will be worthwhile and satisfying, creating the unique and flavorful taste and aroma experience. It may also develop into a special custom of brewing tea that is fun to display and share with friends and family.
As additional information, the loose leaf teas contain lots of antioxidants and polyphenols known for many health benefits.
Tip #3 Amount of tea
Depending on the type and quality of tea leaves, the tea may taste bitter, if used too much, or some will create a weak and tasteless cup of tea, if used too little.
Start with smaller recommended amount, which for most teas is one teaspoons per 8 oz cup of water.
Keep an eye on a leaf size when they open during brewing process and adjust based on your taste preferences.
Tip #3 Quality of Water
Do not use distilled water.
You may use your tap water, unless it’s overly hard or soft, or have unpleasant chlorine and metallic taste.
Overly hard water will pull extra bitterness from the tea leaves.
Overly soft water will create a tasteless tea, since it is not pulling enough polyphenols.
Spring water or filtered water are good choices.
A pitcher with a carbon filter will help to remove the impurities, chlorine, and metallic taste.
Do not re-boil previously boiled water. Re-boiling will reduce level of oxygen and change the composition of the water, which becomes toxic. Always start by pouring fresh cold water.
If you let the water keep boiling, the oxygen dissolves and the tea will have a flat or dull taste. Remove water from the source of heat as soon as water starts boiling.
Do not use pre-heated water from a faucet - this will create a lifeless cup of tea.
Tip #4 The Source of Heat and Brewing Vessel
Do not use microwaves, which has no temperature control. The result may be too hot or create pockets of water at different heat levels.
Use regular stove top or electrical stainless steel or glass kettle to boil the water for your tea brewing.
The actual brewing pot (or vessel) ideally should be made of:
- Fine China - fine material known for its strength and elegance. Normally decorated with charming patterns and classy designs.
- Ceramic - used by true tea masters as a classic brewing pot. Excellent heat retainer. If glazed, does not absorb flavors and will not affect the tea taste.
- Porcelain - most are glazed. Unglazed are used for one type of tea.
- Glass - does not affect the taste of the tea, creates a very appealing display, may stain, but is easy to clean. Just be careful when handling, it is a fragile glass.
- Earthenware - the favorite one among oriental countries. The material may absorb the tea flavor.
- Stainless Steel Kettles or French Press - lately, these are most popular and are available in many styles, shapes, and sizes, easy to clean, and lasting.
Try to avoid plastic.
One extra note for the real tea brewers.
Before brewing your tea, warm up the pot by swirling hot water around it, then empty it out. Now add your tea and pour boiling water. Keep it covered while brewing.
Tip #5 Water Temperature and Brewing Time per Tea Type:
Depending on the tea type, the temperature have to be adjusted from full boil, to medium, to below boiling. The proper temperature will protect more delicate leaves from burning (burned leaves create bitter flavor).
The temperature is specified on each tea package, but do you really need to measure it each time? No, you just need to understand how to recognize each temperature point.
Black and Herbal teas:
200 - 212°F - this is a full rolling boil. It is reached when large bubbles are rapidly rolling and swirling (212°F is highest boring point).
Turn the heat off, remove from heat, so the water contains good oxygen level.
This highest boiling level of water is normally recommended for most Black and all Herbal teas. The leaves are resilient enough to handle such high heat and are actually releasing the proper flavor and antioxidants in this temperature. Lesser temperature will create a weak tea with less flavor.
Strain the liquor from the brewing pot with Black tea in 3-4 min, with Herbal in 5 and up to 10 min (experiment!).
Oolong teas:
190 -200°F - slow boil - a rope of bubbles consistently rise to the top . The other way, if the water came to a full boiling, turn it off, allowed to sit for 5 minutes, which will drop the temperature to about 180°F.
Oolong Teas brewing time is normally 2 min, and for stronger tea is 3-4 min.
Green and some White teas:
170 - 185°F - simmer with gentle steam and slower rising of the bubbles to the top. This would be perfect for Green and White Teas since they are more delicate and require just below the boiling temperature. Higher temperature will make the taste too bitter or astringent.
Steep Green tea leafs for 2-3 min and White tea leafs for 2 min as a start.
Water temperature for White Teas may be in the lower range of 160-180°F - sometimes referred to as poaching or the water just beginning to move before simmering starts.
Summary for Making Your Perfect Cup of Tea:
1. Bring fresh cold water to a proper boil (quality of the water is important for a good tasting tea)
2. Preheat teapot by adding a little hot water, swirl around and discard
3. Add amount of tea leaves specified on the packaging into the pot
4. When boiled water at the desired temperature (see guidelines) add it to a pot over the tea leaves.
5. To retain the heat during the brewing process, cover the pot with cozy to keep it warm, wrap kitchen towel around the pot, or simply just use the pot cover.
6. Allow tea to brew according to the recommended time.
7. Pour the tea into serving cups as soon as the brewing time is reached.
Options:
- Add fresh milk (not cream) after the tea brewing is complete and the tea is poured into the cup
- Add lemon and/or sugar, if that is your preference
Extra notes:
- Do not stir while brewing
- If using a tea bag or a sachet, do not squeeze
- After the brewing time is reached, do not leave loose tea leaves in the water