How the loose leaf tea calculator works
Loose leaf tea is measured by weight, not by the bag, so the right amount depends on the tea type and your cup size. This tool uses a typical leaf rate for each type, scales it to the number and size of cups you are making, and shows the total leaf, leaf per cup, and how many more cups you can get by re-steeping the same leaves.
How much loose leaf per cup
Per 8 oz cup, rough guides are: green tea about 2 g, black tea about 2.5 g, white tea about 4 g, herbal blends about 3 g, and oolong or pu-erh about 5 g because their leaves are larger and denser. A level teaspoon of most loose leaf is roughly 2 g, though fluffy teas like white can be much lighter by the spoon.
Re-steeping loose leaf tea
One of the joys of loose leaf is that quality leaves can be steeped several times. Green and oolong teas often give two to four good infusions, with each steep a little longer than the last. Pu-erh can go even further. Re-steeping makes loose leaf far cheaper per cup than single use bags, which this calculator reflects in the total cups figure.
Loose leaf versus tea bags
Loose leaf uses whole or large leaf pieces that unfurl and release fuller flavor, while most bags hold broken bits that brew fast but flat. Loose leaf needs a strainer, infuser, or pot with a basket, but it usually tastes better and costs less per cup once you factor in re-steeps.
Frequently asked questions
How many grams of loose leaf per cup? Around 2 to 5 g per 8 oz cup depending on the tea, with green at the light end and oolong or pu-erh at the heavy end.
How many teaspoons is that? A teaspoon of loose leaf is roughly 2 g, so a 2.5 g cup of black tea is a slightly heaped teaspoon.
How many times can I re-steep? Two to four times for most green and oolong teas, often more for pu-erh, adding a little steep time with each infusion.
Related calculators: Tea Steeping, Iced Tea, Infusion Strength.