Measure
Most teas take 1.5 teaspoons for each 8 oz of water; a few take 1. Each tea's page gives its own. A little more if you like it strong.
Heat
Water off the boil suits some leaves and scorches others. Green and white tea want it well short of a boil.
- Herbal, fruit and rooibos blends: about 212°F, steep 5 to 7 minutes.
- Black tea and ripe pu'er: about 203°F, steep 2 to 5 minutes.
- Oolong: about 194°F, steep 2 to 3 minutes.
- Green tea: about 176°F, steep 2 to 3 minutes.
- White tea, raw pu'er and yerba mate: about 176°F, steep 2 to 5 minutes.
Each tea says its own
These are the families. Every tea's own page gives its temperature, its steep time and a serving tip for that blend. See all the teas.
Enjoy
Strain and serve. Sweeten if you like. For a bolder cup, steep longer rather than adding more leaf. Many of the whole leaf teas steep a second time, and the second cup is softer.
Keeping it
Store in a cool, dry place away from heat, light and moisture. After opening, reseal tightly.