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Make a Perfect Pot!

To begin:

To make a perfect pot of tea, you'll need

  • your favorite loose leaf tea
  • a kettle to heat water in
  • a tea pot to steep the tea in
  • a timer
  • a teaspoon

First, add filtered water to your kettle and heat to the desired tempurature (see below).

Optional: Then, fill your teapot with hot tap water to warm it. (Make sure you empty this 'warming water' before adding the water you're now boiling!)

Next, add your loose leaf tea into your tea pots basket (infusor). Use your teaspoon!

Then, you'll pour the hot water directly onto the leaves.

Steep the tea according to the directions on your tin. Use your timer!

Check out Dr. Oolong's tips and tricks below:

Steeping:

For Black Tea:

  • Bring your water to a full boil and remove from heat immediately (don't overboil).
  • Allow tea to steep approximately 3-5 minutes and strain.

For Green Teas:

  • Bring your water to a pre-boil (appx. 180 degrees. 160 degrees for sencha)
  • When little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the kettle, remove from heat.
  • Allow tea to steep 1.5 - 3 minutes and strain.

For Oolong Teas:

  • Bring your water to a pre-boil.
  • When little bubbles are coming to the surface, remove from heat.
  • Allow to steep 2-4 minutes and strain.

For Green Teas:

  • Bring your water to a pre-boil (appx. 180 degrees. 160 degrees for sencha)
  • When little bubbles start to form on the bottom of the kettle, remove from heat.
  • Allow tea to steep 1.5 - 3 minutes and strain.

For White Teas:

  • Bring your water to a pre-boil.
  • When little bubbles start to form on the bottom, remove from heat.
  • Allow to steep 2-4 minutes and strain.

For Herbal Tea:

  • Bring your water to a full boil and remove from heat immediately (don't overboil).
  • Bllow tea to steep approximately 4-6 minutes and strain.

All of our teas come with specific instructions tailored for that exact tea.

As always, experiment! Find the right amount for you in terms of quantity of leaves, tempurature of water, and time of steep. Have fun!

And remember: The good news is if you make a mistake and, say, oversteep - just pour out your tea and reuse the leaves. ALL of our teas are good for a *minimum* of a second steep and many are good for several. Each steep brings out a different flavor profile. In fact, some claim that it is the second and third steep of a fine tea that is the best!

If you have questions, let us know! Email info@zhitea.com or call 888.944.4832