Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Using loose leaf tea creates a much more delicious and flavorful tea than pre-packaged tea bags. Drinking a cup of your favorite brewed loose leaf tea is an incredibly relaxing experience. Try a cup of loose leaf tea and you will see the difference.

Steps

  1. Buy Loose Leaf Tea from a trusted tea company.
  2. Follow the recommended measurements on the package of tea. Typically this is one teaspoon per cup of tea you wish to brew.
  3. Place the recommended measurements in a teapot that has a strainer in the center. Alternatively, you can use a tea infuser, as it provides a hassle free brewing experience. If you cannot find a teapot with strainer or an infuser, you can place the leaves in a teapot, and strain after brewing. 
  4. Boil filtered or fresh water. Do not use hard water as it will alter the taste.
    • If using white tea or green tea bring to an almost boiling point (when the water starts to bubble) without actually seeing the roaring boil.
    • If using black or herbal tea, bring water to a roaring boil.
  5. Follow recommended steep times (you may vary the actual steeping time as per your taste):
    • Steep black tea between 3-4 minutes.
    • Steep green tea for 2-3 minutes.
    • Steep white tea for 4-5 minutes.
    • Steep herbal tea for up to 10 minutes or as directed on the tea package.
  6. Steep tea and then pour into your favorite cup.
  7. Sweeten your tea if needed. Add a few drops of lemon and some honey for an excellent green tea
    • Rather than using plain granulated sugar, get a great fruit preserve from your local specialty store that has chunks of fruit in it. Rose petals and walnut preserves are highly recommended. Do not over-sweeten.
    • White tea typically does not require sweetener.
    • Sweeten Rooibos tea is already pretty sweet, and as such, it should not require a significant amount of sweetener.
  8. Store your tea in a tightly closed container in a dark and cool cabinet. A pantry is ideal.



Tips

  • Do not use your grandmother's hand me down mugs. The experience of tea is heightened when you use a cup that excites you.

Warnings

  • Do not store tea in a spot with direct light.
  • Do not over-steep black and green tea. The flavor becomes too astringent and bitter to overcome.
  • Do not use hard water.
  • Do not store tea in a glass or see-through plastic container.

Things You'll Need

  • Fine quality loose leaf tea
  • filtered or fresh water
  • kettle to boil
  • teapot to steep tea. One with a built in filter is best.
  • a fun cup to drink from.

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