How to brew the perfect cup of tea

There’s a certain satisfaction in forgoing a teabag and brewing loose-leaf tea. The process is zen-like and the result is to be savored. If you take some time to get to know the particular type of tea and its optimal brewing techniques, you will get a superior cup every time.

Follow these general guidelines to maximize the flavor of your tea, whether it’s white, green, oolong, black or herbal. And remember: You are free to customize the process to satisfy your needs and taste preferences.

Refer to the chart below for the ideal brewing process of each tea.

ALLOW ENOUGH TIME TO BREW TEA CORRECTLY.

Brewing and drinking tea has always been a social event, not something to be done in a rush. Ideally, allow 30 minutes to brew your tea. The process should be enjoyable, fun and calming.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEAWARE.

The teapot and cups you use might influence the flavor and color. In ideal circumstances, you might want to use different teapots for different teas. If you want to use one teapot for all types, opt for a smaller one. Keep in mind that a 10-ounce teapot will not give you exactly 10 ounces of tea, but it will be enough for two people. The ideal teapot holds 6.8 ounces (200 ml).

GET A DIGITAL SCALE AND THERMOMETER.

Both water temperature and the amount of leaves are crucial for a perfect cup. We recommend that you use a small digital scale for the first few months of brewing, as it will help you understand the amounts better. A kitchen thermometer comes in handy for checking that the water isn’t too hot or too cold. With time and practice, you will know how to determine them both.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT WATER.

Bottled spring water is usually best for brewing tea. Tap water might be satisfactory for some teas, but avoid it when brewing gentle and delicate green or white teas. We also suggest that you avoid using distilled water because it’s too flat and flavorless for a decent cup of tea.

BOIL THE WATER AND PREHEAT THE TEAWARE.

Always use freshly boiled water. Preheat the teapot by pouring hot water in and out of it before adding the loose-leaf tea. This step will make your teapot more brewing-friendly, intensify the scent of the leaves and provide an optimal starting temperature for brewing.

HAVE ALL UTENSILS READY.

Gather everything you need before boiling the water because you don’t want to be searching for a tea strainer when the loose-leaf tea is already steeping. To prepare, we recommend you have nearby a strainer for loose-leaf tea, tea tray, tea scoop, teapot and teacups.

USE ENOUGH LEAVES.

Using too few tea leaves will produce a weak, uninteresting infusion; adding too many could make the result bitter. If you are unsure, opt for fewer leaves. If brewing goes wrong, at least you won’t be wasting too much tea.

Brewing and drinking tea has always been a social event, not something to be done in a rush. Ideally, allow 30 minutes to brew your tea. The process should be enjoyable, fun and calming.

MAKE SURE THE TEMPERATURE IS CORRECT.

No caffeinated tea should be brewed with boiling water (212°F). Lower temperatures will extract more sweetness; higher temperatures more astringency and bitterness. The reason lies in caffeine, catechins and tannins, which all require hot water for the best extraction. It’s better to brew a weaker cup first and then adjust the temperature if needed. For blends with orange and lemon peel, use slightly cooler water.

CHECK THE TIME.

Avoid over-brewing your tea. It’s better to use a few short infusions than one long one.

WASH YOUR UTENSILS.

Use clean and dry utensils. Clean the teapot right after brewing with water only and avoid using detergents as much as possible. If you are using only one teapot for all tea types, make sure there is no residue from a previous brewing. Flavored tea leaves might even leave a faint scent after washing, so pay extra attention when brewing delicate teas in the same teapot.

BEST TEAS FOR PRACTICING.

Some teas are more forgiving of brewing mistakes. Semi-ball-shaped oolong teas like Buddha Hand or Iron Goddess of Mercy are easy and fun to brew and could be a good starting point for understanding tea-brewing better.

Genmaicha and Sencha green teas offer great results with little time investment. Yunnan Golden Buds and Golden Monkey Paw black teas aren’t bitter even if they’re overbrewed. For the most forgiving and easy-to-brew herbal tea, choose rooibos; it will stay tasty even if you steep it 20 minutes.