How to make Tea with Loose Tea Leaves & Tea Bags

The method of preparing tea has evolved over time, yet its essence remains the same across many regions. From traditionally steeping loose tea leaves to modern conveniences like tea bags and infusers, the tea brewing ritual continues. Across cultures, the art of tea-making continues to unite communities, offering a comforting and aromatic experience that transcends generations.

How to make loose leaf tea

If you decide to make tea with loose leaves, you will need a tea infuser or sieve to strain the leaves. Here is how you can make the perfect tea with loose leaves:

Bring water to a boil in a kettle.
Fill the infuser with the amount of tea leaves specified on the package of the tea and drop the infuser inside the boiling water.
Alternatively, take the required tea leaves and drop it into the boiling water.
Steep the tea according to the table given below.
Remove the infuser from the kettle or strain the tea using a sieve.
Add sweetener to taste.
For black tea, you can add milk if you desire

Type of Tea	Temperature Range (°C)	Steeping Time Range (minutes)
Green Tea	80°C - 85°C	1 - 3
White Tea	80°C - 85°C	3 - 5
Oolong Tea	85°C - 95°C	2 - 4
Black Tea	95°C - 100°C	3 - 5

These temperature and steeping time ranges serve as guidelines to achieve the best flavour, but adjustments can be made on personal preference too!

How to make tea with tea bags

Place a tea bag in your cup or mug.
Bring fresh, cold water to a rolling boil.
Once boiling, pour over the tea bag and steep according to the timing above based on your tea variety.
Remove the tea bag from the cup.
If desired, finish with milk, your preferred sweetener (such as sugar, honey, agave, or stevia) or a slice of citrus.\

Iced Tea for One

Bring 1 cup of fresh, clean water to a rolling boil, then pour over 1 tea bag.
Steep according to the timing above based on your tea variety.
If you prefer a stronger flavour, allow the tea to steep 30 to 60 seconds extra.
Stir, then remove the tea bags.
If desired, stir in your preferred sweetener.
Allow to cool, then pour over ice.

Tea brewing methods

Methods of Brewing

Tea can be brewed in different ways and choosing your method of brewing tea can be determined by the tools you have available to you. The best part about tea is that you can enjoy a delicious cup of tea even if all you have is just a mug!

Here are some ways to brew your tea:

Reusable Bags

Muslin, cotton, cheesecloth, and silicone tea bags that are reusable are a great way to steep a cup of tea. All you need to do is place the required amount of tea in the bag, close it up, and drop it in your mug.

Allow your tea to steep for the desired amount of time, remove the bag, empty it, and rinse it well for your next use. You can also use infusers here. Infusers, traditionally in a ball shape, now come in a variety-+ of shapes and sizes.

Disposable Bags

Yes, you can purchase empty disposable tea bags for your tea. You can even make your own tea bag using a coffee filter. Use your disposable tea bags the same way you would use your reusable bags. When you're done brewing your tea, simply throw the bag away.

Infusion Teapot

While using an infusion teapot, all you have to do is put the correct amount of tea in the infusion basket depending on the size of the teapot. Once you steep the tea, you have to remove the infusion basket and serve the tea onto your mug.

Regular Teapot

If you are using a regular teapot, just add the tea leaves directly to the teapot. Once you have steeped the leaves for the desired time, you can pour the tea out through a strainer to remove the tea leaves.

French Press

If you have a French press, this is a great way to steep your tea. Add your tea leaves to the bottom of the French press and pour in your hot water. Depress the plunger after the steep time. Decant the tea into another container if you won't be able to drink the tea right away. This will stop the brewing (especially black tea) to keep the tea from becoming bitter.

Sun Tea

Sun tea, as the name suggests, is brewing tea in the sun. Place the required amount of tea in the container and fill it with water. Place the container in the sun and allow it to steep through the noon. Strain out the leaves, refrigerate the tea, and serve.

Cold Brew

You can cold brew tea the same way you do coffee. A big advantage to this method is that the tea will not become bitter since the water will not be hot enough!

Combine Methods

You can combine methods, too. Reusable and disposable bags can be used in a regular teapot or a mug, as well as in the sun tea and cold brew methods.

Additives that can be added to Tea

Some interesting additives that can be added to your tea are:

Mint

Add some chopped mint leaves to your tea and discover instant refreshment. Mint comes with a treasure trove of health benefits- it helps with digestion, treats common cold, eases morning nausea or sickness and more.

Ginger

Ginger’s easy availability makes Ginger tea all the more popular! Ginger in any form is beneficial to our body because it improves digestion, eases nausea, aids in curing cold and cough.

Honey

A natural sweetener, honey hosts a lot of health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, it gives you a morning boost and saves you from future risks of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure.

Lemon

Adding lemon to your tea enhances its health benefits. Lemons, rich in vitamin C, act as potent antioxidants that fight free radicals and boost our immunity system.

Tulsi

With health benefits like improving the respiratory system, combating common cold, flu or cough, relieving symptoms of asthma, regulating blood sugar and many more, tulsi is a great additive to your tea!

Mistakes to avoid while steeping or brewing tea

Brewing tea is an art! Some actions, subtle as they may seem, alter the taste of the tea completely. Here are few mistakes that you should avoid while steeping tea:

Over or under-steeping your tea- results in losing out on the expected flavour.

Adding too many ingredients- this might not be the ideal option when you want to get the real tea taste.

Using poor quality water- there is a difference in using tap water versus fitlered water to steep your tea! Try it and tell us how it feels!

Microwaving- hot temperatures as a result of microwaving can be too harsh on the tea leaves!

Using boiling water- hot water is enough to steep the tea but boiling water may be too harsh on the leaves.

Leaving the leaves in water- too much steeping can result in a deeply bitter taste.

How to prepare other tea recipes

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Lemon balm tea recipe	Rose lemon iced tea recipe	Rooibos tea recipe