Tea Tuesday: Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea
Tea is a soothing beverage that has been consumed for centuries, since its discovery in ancient China. Over the years, tea’s popularity has spread to all corners of the world, and it has actually become an important aspect of many different cultures. While each region has its own distinct way of preparing tea, it’s still up for debate on whether there really is one precise method to brewing the perfect cup of tea every time.
It’s not an easy task, as there has even been research conducted in the matter. The general consensus is that there are two essential elements in tea brewing—precision in time and temperature. By steeping tea leaves for the right amount of time, the tea produced will neither be weak and watery nor acidic and bitter. Furthermore, the proper temperature ensures that the tea unfurls completely, releasing the delicious flavor.
There are mainly two popular methods of tea preparation, using tea bags or loose-leaf tea. Today, we will focus on loose-leaf tea, as its quality makes brewing a more extensive and delicate process. Each type of loose-leaf tea requires a particular temperature and a sufficient amount of steep time to produce the best quality tea.
For this reason, we at CoffeeAM have put together a handy chart for you to use as a good guide in your quest to consistently make an unparalleled cup of soothing tea, whether you’re drinking a cup of our decaffeinated or regular loose-leaf tea.
Keep in mind that since brewed tea consists primarily of water, everything starts with the quality of your water. If it is filled with impurities, then your tea will certainly lose its true flavor, and may even taste bitter. It’s recommended that you begin with filtered or bottle spring water, and try to avoid tap, distilled, or mineral water. This simple change can ultimately make a world of difference.
Tea Type Tea Amount (per 8 oz. water) Temperature Steeping Time
White 1.5 Teaspoons 175º 4-5 minutes
Green 1 Teaspoon 175º 1 minute
Oolong 1 Teaspoon 195º 3 minutes
Black 1 Teaspoon 195º 2-3 minutes
Herbal 1.5 Teaspoons 208º 5-6 minutes