Brewing loose leaf teas

Brewing loose leaf tea is a completely different experience than using a tea bag.  However, it is simple enough and the small investments that you make will last for years of happy tea-brewing!

First, you need to gather your materials.  In order to brew a cup of tea using loose tea leaves you will need:

Loose tea leaves (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of tea)

A stainless steel infuser 

A mug

A tea kettle, stove, and water

Note: If you are not sure which kind of tea leaves you would like to try, explore the links above which look into three widely used kinds of tea (black, green and white), the flavors and potential benefits of each.  

Place water in kettle and place on stove top over high heat setting.  You will want to watch the water as it heats based on the type of tea you are using.  Unlike when using a tea bag, loose tea leaves can be more fragile and boiling water cannot always be used.  Upon buying the tea, each package should give specific temperature and steeping instructions.

Green and white teas should be brewed in water heated below the boiling point to about 165-185 degrees F so that the leaves do not burn.  Black teas should be brewed in water heated to approximately 195 degrees F.

As you wait for the water, place 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (a small amount pinched between your thumb and pointer finger) into the infuser. Close the infuser to make sure that the leaves will stay inside.  


A little about the infuser:

Infusers come in many varieties, but they all do the same job.  They keep the leaves together and allow you to remove them from the cup of tea after the designated time.  That way you will not have to sip and worry about the leaves floating around in your mug!  The holes in the infuser allow the water to reach the leaves and create the flavor.

After the tea leaves have steeped in the water for the designated amount of time, simply remove the infuser from the mug.  Tea leaves can be reused for multiple infusions so allow the leaves to dry out in the infuser and you will be able to use them for your next cup(s) of tea as well.

Sometimes you will find that small particles of the leaves will remain in your cup.  This is normal and they are not harmful to drink.  Usually they will settle to the bottom but if you prefer, you can strain your tea.