Pour 2 cups (about 480 ml) of fresh cold water into a kettle or saucepan. Bring to a gentle rolling boil for black tea or to just below boiling (about 175–185°F / 80–85°C) for green or delicate teas. This usually takes 3–6 minutes depending on equipment.

Prepare tea

Place 2 teaspoons of loose tea leaves into a tea infuser or directly into a teapot/mug if you will strain later. If using a teapot, pre-warm it by swirling a little hot water inside and discarding it.

Steep

Pour the hot water over the tea leaves. For black tea, steep 3–5 minutes; for green tea, steep 2–3 minutes; for herbal tea, steep 5–7 minutes. Cover the teapot or place a saucer over the mug while steeping to keep heat and aromatics in. Adjust steeping time to taste — shorter for milder, longer for stronger.

Strain

Remove the infuser or strain the tea into a serving cup using a fine mesh strainer to catch loose leaves.

Optional Add-ins

Sweeten: Stir in 1 teaspoon of honey or sweetener while the tea is hot so it dissolves evenly. Increase to taste.

Milk: If you prefer milk in your tea (common with black tea), add 2 tablespoons of milk to the cup and stir. For stronger milky tea, add more to taste.

Lemon: Add 1–2 slices of fresh lemon to the cup after straining for a bright citrus note. Do not combine lemon with milk, as it may curdle.

Mint: Clap 4 fresh mint leaves between your hands to release oils and add to the cup or teapot during the final 30 seconds of steeping for a refreshing aroma.

Spices: If using whole spices (cinnamon stick, crushed cardamom pod, clove), add them to the water as it heats and allow them to simmer for 1–2 minutes before pouring over the tea leaves to infuse warm spice flavors.

Serve & Finish

Taste and adjust: Taste the tea and adjust sweetness, milk, or lemon as desired. If it’s too strong, add a splash of hot water. If too weak, steep an additional 30–60 seconds with a new small pinch of tea.

Serve: Place the cup on a saucer, allow to cool for 1–2 minutes to a comfortable sipping temperature, and enjoy the steaming, aromatic tea.

Storage note: Leftover brewed tea can be refrigerated up to 48 hours; reheat gently on the stove or enjoy iced.