Tea Recipe

Heat water

Pour fresh cold water into the kettle or saucepan and heat. Use water just off the boil (about 212°F / 100°C) for black and herbal teas, 175–185°F (80–85°C) for green teas, and 185–195°F (85–90°C) for oolong.

Prepare tea

Place 1 tea bag or 1 portion of loose leaf (about 1 teaspoon or portion per 8 oz) into your teapot, mug, or infuser.

Bloom & steep

Pour the hot water over the tea. Steep times: black tea 3–5 minutes, green tea 2–3 minutes, oolong 3–4 minutes, herbal tea 5–7 minutes. For stronger tea, increase steep time slightly; for milder tea, shorten it.

Remove leaves

Remove the tea bag or strain out the leaves promptly at the end of the steep time to avoid bitterness.

Sweeten

Stir in sweetener (about 1 tsp sugar or honey) while the tea is hot so it dissolves evenly. Adjust to taste.

Add milk

If desired for black tea, add about 2 tablespoons of milk or plant-based alternative and stir. Add after steeping.

Citrus & herbs

For a bright finish, add a lemon slice (do not add lemon to milky tea—it may curdle). Add fresh mint leaves to hot tea to gently infuse or to iced tea for a refreshing note.

Iced tea variation

To make iced tea, brew a stronger batch (use 1.5–2× tea), let cool slightly, then pour over a glass filled with ice (about 6 oz ice/iced water). Add sweetener and lemon or mint as desired.

Serve hot immediately in a warmed mug or cup, or serve over ice for iced tea. Offer additional sweetener, milk, lemon, and a spoon on the side so the guest can customize.