How to make tea: water temperature and brewing time

Tea is the most consumed drink in the world after water, yet many cups end up tasting bitter or flat. It's rarely about the quality of the tea, but about water temperature and brewing time. Here's an overview so you can brew black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong and herbal tea properly every time.

How hot should the water be, and how long should tea brew?

The rule of thumb is simple: the less oxidised the tea is, the lower the temperature and the shorter the brewing time needs to be. Black tea is fully oxidised and can therefore handle water at 90 to 98 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes, while green and white tea, which are less oxidised, need cooler water and a shorter brewing time to avoid turning bitter. Oolong sits in between, as it's only partially oxidised.

If the water gets too hot, or the tea brews for too long, too many tannins are released, and that's what gives the bitter, puckering taste many know from a cup of tea that's been left to brew for too long.

The four types of tea from the tea bush, and what isn't tea

All proper tea comes from the leaves of the tea bush, and the difference between white, green, oolong and black tea comes down to how much the leaves are oxidised after picking.

• White tea is made from the very freshest shoots and is the least processed.
• Green tea is made from dried, freshly picked leaves and is not oxidised.
• Oolong is lightly oxidised, between 30 and 60 percent, and sits between green and black tea in flavour.
• Black tea is crushed and fully oxidised by the air, which gives it its strong, dark flavour.

Herbal tea, rooibos and mate, on the other hand, aren't tea from the tea bush, but infusions of other plants. Herbal tea is made from flowers, berries, spices or fruits over which boiling water is poured, while rooibos is brewed in hot water the same way as black tea and can be drunk with milk, lemon, sugar or honey.

Water temperature and brewing time for each type of tea

Use the table as a starting point, and adjust to your own taste. Where there isn't a precise brewing time in the sources, it's best to follow the packet.

Delicate black teas such as darjeeling do best with a brewing time of 3 to 4 minutes, while whole leaf and black tea meant to be served with milk or lemon can happily brew for 4 to 5 minutes.

How much tea should you use?

As a general rule, use around three grams of tea per cup, whatever type of tea you're brewing. For green tea, it's more accurate to calculate based on the amount of water: use 2 grams of tea per 100 ml of water, which works out to roughly a teaspoonful per 150 ml cup.

Lower-quality green tea benefits from being brewed hotter and a little longer, while higher-quality teas do best with cooler water and a shorter brewing time. On the other hand, they can often be brewed several times, typically 2 to 3 times.

Loose tea or tea bags, what's the difference?

Loose tea can be measured freely as needed, but it must be strained out once it's finished brewing, otherwise the leaves keep releasing tannins and the tea turns bitter. A tea strainer, which is a small container made of metal mesh where the leaves are placed before being lowered into the mug or pot, is a great help. Tea balls, tea presses and pots with a built-in filter do the same job.

Tea bags are a handy shortcut, and pyramid-shaped bags give the leaves more room to unfurl while brewing, which gives a fuller flavour than a flat tea bag.

How to make tea, step by step

Start by warming up the pot or mug. A cold pot lowers the water's temperature straight away, so rinse it with water of at least 90 degrees before brewing.

1. Heat water to the temperature that suits your type of tea.
2. Add tea to the pot, mug or a tea strainer, and pour the water over it.
3. Let the tea brew for the time that suits the type, and time it so you get it just right.
4. Strain the tea, or remove the tea bag, tea ball or tea strainer, as soon as the brewing time is up.

Good-quality green tea can often be brewed several times, so save the leaves and pour on fresh water instead of throwing them out after the first cup. Why not choose a mug you love holding, for example a Dachshund mug, a Leopard mug from Anna + Nina, a Labradoodle mug or a Magic Potion mug from Anna + Nina. If you want to know more about the difference between mugs and cups, you can read The difference between a mug and a cup, the short guide.

Why does tea turn bitter?

The bitterness comes from tannins, which are released when the water is too hot, or when the tea brews for too long. This applies to all types of tea, but green and white tea are especially sensitive, because they're already brewed at a low temperature.

There is one exception, though: black tea, which is served with milk or lemon, can brew a little longer, up to 4 to 5 minutes, because the stronger flavour suits the milk or lemon better than a short brewing time would.

Frequently asked questions

How long should tea brew?

It depends on the type of tea: black tea brews for 3 to 5 minutes, green tea 30 seconds to 3 minutes, and oolong 1 to 5 minutes. For white tea, herbal tea and rooibos, it's best to follow the instructions on the packet.

How hot should the water be for green tea?

Green tea is typically brewed at 61 to 87 degrees, with around 70 degrees being a good guideline. Water that's too hot gives a bitter taste.

How do you make tea with loose tea?

Put the tea straight into the pot, or use a tea strainer, a tea ball, or a pot with a filter, and strain the tea as soon as the brewing time is up, so the leaves don't sit in the water.

How much loose tea should you use per cup?

A general rule is around three grams of tea per cup. For green tea, you can instead count on 2 grams per 100 ml of water, or roughly a teaspoon per 150 ml cup.

Why does tea turn bitter?

Tea turns bitter when the water is too hot, or when it brews for too long, because this releases too many tannins from the leaves.

Should you use boiling water for tea?

Only for black tea and herbal tea should the water be boiling or nearly boiling. Green tea, white tea and oolong need cooler water, so the tea doesn't turn bitter.

Summary

A good cup of tea is mostly about water and time. The less oxidised the tea is, the lower the temperature and the shorter the brewing time it needs, and no matter the type of tea, water that's too hot or brewing that's too long will give a bitter taste. Warm the pot, measure out the tea, keep track of the brewing time, and strain it in time, and you'll get a delicious cup every time.

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• The difference between a mug and a cup, the short guide
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