Steeping time decides strength and bitterness. This chart gives a starting time for each tea type, which you can adjust to taste.
| Tea | Steep time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White | 2 to 3 min | Gentle, forgiving |
| Green | 1 to 3 min | Bitter if oversteeped |
| Oolong | 3 to 5 min | Can re-steep several times |
| Black | 3 to 5 min | Robust, takes milk |
| Herbal | 5 to 7 min | Longer is fine |
| Rooibos | 5 to 7 min | Never turns bitter |
Taste as you go. Pull the leaves the moment the tea tastes right. Oversteeping releases tannins that add harsh bitterness, especially in green and black tea.
FAQ
What happens if I steep tea too long? Oversteeping pulls more tannins out of the leaves, making the tea taste bitter and astringent rather than stronger in a pleasant way. If you want a stronger cup, use more leaf rather than steeping longer past the recommended time.
See the Tea Steeping Calculator and the Tea Brewing Temperature Chart.