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How to make tea
There’s nothing quite like the simple pleasure of a well-made cup of tea. Learn a few basics and make every sip a success.
Making a cup of tea shouldn’t be rocket science, but there are a few things you can do to guarantee a perfect cup of tea every time. Read on and discover all the insider knowledge on the different tea types, our tea tips and tricks.
How to make tea
Serves 1+ people
You’ll need
- Loose leaf tea of choice
- Infuser
- Cup or teapot
- Water
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1
Boil the kettle. Warm your cup or pot first by adding a splash of boiling water. Swill and discard, then fill with fresh water to brew. Use the table below to determine the correct temperature for your tea.
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2
Place the loose leaf tea in your infuser. The general rule is 1 teaspoon of tea per 250 ml/8.4 fl oz.
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3
Place the infuser in your cup or pot and brew for the recommended time (see below).
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4
Remove the infuser. Add milk and sweetener if using. Sip mindfully and enjoy!
Brewing guide for making tea
Whatever your sip, this handy guide will help you steep for just the right amount of time.
| Tea type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Black tea | 100°C/212°F | 2-4 minutes |
| Green tea | 80°C/176°F | 1-3 minutes |
| Oolong tea | 80-90°C/176-194°F | 3-6 minutes |
| White tea | 80°C/176°F | 3-7 minutes |
| Fruit tisanes | 100°C/212°F | 3-5 minutes |
| Herbal & floral tisanes | 100°C/212°F | 3-5 minutes |
| Rooibos & honeybush tisanes | 100°C/212°F | 3-5 minutes |
Tea tips & tricks
Get the inside scoop on how to brew the perfect cup of tea
Measurements & ratios
The typical ratio is 1 teaspoon per cup for hot tea, or two teaspoons per cup for iced tea. So, a 1 litre teapot will need around 4 teaspoons of tea for a hot brew.
Strength
Like it nice and strong? Instead of brewing for longer, add an extra teaspoon and brew for the recommended time.
To serve
If you’re adding milk to your black tea, brew for the longest recommended time. Remember, save your milk for black teas – most whites, greens and herbals are best served straight up.
Temperature
White, green and oolong teas prefer 80°C/176°F, so just combine 20% cold water with 80% boiling water. Swill a little hot water in your teapot or cup, then discard. This will keep your teawares from cooling your tea too quickly.
Loose leaf vs. tea bags
Both have their perks. We love the ceremony of loose leaf, but will never say no to tea bags when we’re pressed for time. Whichever you go for, make sure you follow the tea’s brewing instructions.
Tea types
With over 100 teas available, we’ve got your beloved favourites as well as unexpected flavours so there’s something for every taste.
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How to make iced tea
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