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Ingredients
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Tea selection
Water & brewing
Optional additions
Method
Preparation
Measure tea
Decide which tea you will drink: black, green, or herbal. Measure 1 teaspoon of loose leaves or use 1 standard tea bag and place it into your teapot or cup.
Heat water
Pour fresh cold water into a kettle and heat to the appropriate temperature: black tea 100°C / boiling (212°F); green tea 75–80°C (167–176°F); herbal tea 100°C / boiling (212°F). If you don’t have a thermometer, bring water to a boil for black or herbal teas; for green tea, remove from heat as soon as small bubbles form and before a rolling boil.
Pre-warm vessel (optional)
Optional: pour a little boiling water into the teapot or cup, swirl to warm and discard. This helps maintain brewing temperature.
Brewing
Pour water
Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or tea bag. Use about 8 fl oz (240 ml) of water per teaspoon or tea bag.
Steep time
Steep for the appropriate time: black tea 3–5 minutes; green tea 2–3 minutes; herbal tea 5–7 minutes. Use the shorter end of the range for lighter flavor and the longer end for stronger infusion. Do not over-steep green tea to avoid bitterness.
Remove leaves or bag
When steeping time is up, remove the tea bag or strain out the loose leaves to stop extraction.
Finish & serve
Add milk (optional)
If drinking black tea and you prefer it with milk, add about 2 tablespoons (adjust to taste) and stir gently.
Serve
Serve hot immediately. Allow to cool slightly if too hot before drinking.