Get the right steeping time, water temperature and leaf amount for your tea.
Usage Tip
Use one teaspoon of leaves per cup, and a little more for larger mugs.
How to Steep Tea
Great tea comes down to three things: the right water temperature, the right steeping time, and the right leaf-to-water ratio. Get those in range for your tea type and you avoid the two classic failures – weak, flat tea (under-steeped or too cool) and harsh, bitter tea (over-steeped or too hot). The calculator above sets all three from your tea type and cup size.
Tea Brewing Chart
| Tea type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea | 71–82°C (160–180°F) | 2–3 min |
| White tea | 77–85°C (170–185°F) | 3–5 min |
| Oolong | 85–96°C (185–205°F) | 3–5 min |
| Black tea | 93–100°C (200–212°F) | 3–5 min |
| Pu-erh | 95–100°C (205–212°F) | 2–3 min (after a rinse) |
| Herbal | 100°C (212°F) | 5–10 min |
Water Temperature Guide
Temperature is the single biggest lever in tea. Delicate leaves – green and white – scorch in boiling water and turn bitter, so they want it cooler. Fuller leaves – black, pu-erh and herbal – need near-boiling water to extract properly. If you do not have a variable kettle, boil and then let it stand: roughly 30 seconds off the boil drops it to about 90°C, and 2 minutes to around 80°C.
| Tea | °C | °F |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 71–82 | 160–180 |
| White | 77–85 | 170–185 |
| Oolong | 85–96 | 185–205 |
| Black | 93–100 | 200–212 |
| Herbal | 100 | 212 |
Tea-to-Water Ratio Guide
A reliable starting point is 2–3 g of leaf per 240 ml (8 oz) of water – about one rounded teaspoon, though fluffy leaves weigh less per spoon than tightly rolled ones. Weighing is far more consistent than scooping. Use the lighter end for delicate greens and the heavier end for robust blacks and herbals.
| Tea type | Tea per 8 oz (240 ml) |
|---|---|
| Black tea | 2–3 g |
| Green tea | 2 g |
| White tea | 2–3 g |
| Oolong | 2–3 g |
| Herbal tea | 2–4 g |
Green Tea Brewing Guide
Green tea is the easiest to ruin and the most rewarding to get right. Keep the water around 75–80°C (170°F) and steep only 2–3 minutes. Boiling water cooks the leaves and releases bitter tannins. Japanese greens like sencha lean cooler and shorter; Chinese greens tolerate slightly more.
Black Tea Brewing Guide
Black tea is forgiving and wants heat: 95–100°C (205°F) for 3–5 minutes. Longer brings strength but also astringency, so if you take milk you can push the steep a little; if you drink it plain, stay nearer 3 minutes.
Oolong Brewing Guide
Oolong sits between green and black and rewards multiple short infusions. Start around 90°C (195°F) for 3–5 minutes Western-style, or use more leaf and 30–60 second steeps gongfu-style for five or more infusions, each one slightly different.
Herbal Tea Brewing Guide
Herbal infusions (tisanes) contain no true tea leaf – chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, hibiscus and the like. They need fully boiling water (100°C / 212°F) and a long steep of 5–10 minutes to draw out flavour, and they will not turn bitter the way true tea does, so steep to taste.
Re-Steeping Guide
Quality loose-leaf tea can be steeped several times – the second cup is often the best. Western-style, add about 30–60 seconds to each subsequent steep to keep the strength up. Rough guide to how many good infusions to expect:
| Tea | Infusions |
|---|---|
| Green | 2–3 |
| White | 2–3 |
| Oolong | 4–6 |
| Black | 2–3 |
| Pu-erh | 5+ (rinse first) |
| Herbal | 1–2 |
Bitterness Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Bitter / astringent | Water too hot or steeped too long – cool the water and shorten the steep. |
| Weak / watery | Too little leaf or too short – add leaf or steep longer. |
| Flat / dull | Water off the boil too long, or stale leaf. |
| Cloudy iced tea | Normal (tannins) – brew slightly weaker or cold-brew instead. |
Flavour Adjustment Tips
Want it stronger? Add more leaf rather than steeping longer – more time mostly adds bitterness, not strength. Want it smoother? Lower the temperature a few degrees. Want more aroma? Pre-warm the pot and cover while steeping.
Tea Storage
Keep tea in an airtight, opaque container away from heat, light, moisture and strong smells. Tea readily absorbs odours, so do not store it next to coffee or spices. Most teas are best within 6–12 months; green teas fade fastest, pu-erh is the exception and can age for years.
Common Brewing Mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Boiling water on green tea | Cool to ~80°C first. |
| Over-steeping | Use a timer and remove the leaves on time. |
| Guessing the leaf amount | Weigh it – ~2–3 g per cup. |
| Re-using leaves the next day | Re-steep within a few hours; do not leave wet leaves overnight. |
| Cheap stale tea | Buy fresh, whole-leaf where you can. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I steep green tea?
About 2–3 minutes at 75–80°C (170°F). Longer or hotter makes it bitter. Pick green tea above and the calculator sets it for you.
What temperature for black tea?
Near boiling – 95–100°C (205°F) – for 3–5 minutes.
How much tea per cup?
Roughly 2–3 g (about 1 teaspoon) per 240 ml (8 oz). Enter your cup size above for the exact amount.
Can I steep tea more than once?
Yes – good loose-leaf tea re-steeps well. Oolong and pu-erh are best for many infusions; add 30–60 seconds each time.
Why is my tea bitter?
Almost always water that is too hot or a steep that ran too long. Lower the temperature and shorten the time.
Printable Steeping Chart
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