Brewing a Cup of Tea

by Whittard of Chelsea

Tea is one of life's simple pleasures, but a few small adjustments can make a big difference to the flavour in your cup. From water temperature to brewing time, here's everything you need to know to brew tea with confidence.

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Published . Reviewed

How to brew loose leaf tea

Everyone's got a different way of making a cup of tea. We've spent over 140 years honing our technique for the perfect brew. Here's a few of our not-so-secret tips.

Step 01

Fresh water, brighter taste

Use freshly drawn water for every cup you brew - either from a filter, or tap is just fine too. Why? Fresh water means higher oxygen and a cleaner, brighter taste.

Step 02

Match tea to temperature

There’s no single sweet spot for temperature. Most black
teas should be brewed at 90°C, while Matcha Green Tea is best made at 70°C. A kettle with different temperatures will help you get the perfect brew for all your favourite blends.

Step 03

Strength by spoonful

Be it a family-sized pot or a solo strainer, just remember: use one teaspoon (around 2g) per cup of tea, or two per cup if you're brewing white tea, yellow tea or a fruit and herbal infusion.

How Long Should I Brew?

Each of our teas tells you how many minutes to brew, but it all depends on your taste. As a general rule, more robust teas reach the best strength between 3-5 minutes infusing, while delicate teas like Darjeeling, white and green teas should only be infused for around 2-3 minutes.

Tea Type Boiling Temperature Steeping Time
Black 95-98°C 3-5 Minutes
Green 65-80°C 2-3 Minutes
Oolong 85-95°C 2-3 Minutes
Yellow 70-80°C 2-3 Minutes
White 75-85°C 2-3 Minutes
Fruit & Herbal 100°C 3-5 Minutes

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