Making loose leaf tea at home is a straightforward process. At its most basic, you only need tea leaves, boiling water, and a vessel to make your tea in. Here’s our guide to making loose leaf tea, whether you’re new to it or simply need a refresher.
Loose leaf tea brewing instructions
You’ll need the following items:
- You may use any type of loose leaf tea, from purple to pu-erh, and anything in between.
- Cup, mug, or teapot: Something to boil and consume your tea in, such as a favorite mug or a teapot, is required.
- Tea infuser or filter: The most straightforward way to prepare tea is with a tea infuser or filter. If you don’t have one of these, check our instructions for brewing tea without an infuser below.
- Tea kettle, electric, or stovetop: Use a tea kettle to heat your water. If you don’t have a tea kettle, heat water in a saucepan on the stove.
1. Gather your tools
It’s a good idea to gather all of the necessary ingredients before starting to make a cup of tea. This includes your loose leaf tea, mug, cup, pot, infuser or filter, and tea kettle. Don’t worry if you don’t have some of these products. There are several methods to prepare loose leaf tea using ingredients you most likely already have in your home.
2. Heat your water
If you have a tea kettle, fill it with water and start heating it up on the stove or in the microwave. When it’s hot, pour the water into your cup, mug, or pot. If you’re making tea without an infuser or filter, you’ll need a large mug or pot.
3. Add tea leaves
Once you have your tea pot or mug full of hot water, it’s time to add your tea leaves. If you’re using a tea infuser or filter, you can do this directly in the vessel. If you’re using a tea strainer, place it in your cup or mug, and pour your tea leaves on top.
4. Steep your tea
Now the tea is ready for steeping. Most types of tea need to steep for around three to five minutes to extract their flavors and essential oils. If you’re using a tea infuser or filter, you can just let the tea steep. If you’re steeping your tea in a tea strainer, you’ll need to remove your tea strainer after the tea has steeped so that you don’t over-steep your tea.
5. Enjoy your tea
Once your tea has finished steeping, you can enjoy it! If you’re using a tea infuser, you can remove the infuser and pour the tea into your cup or mug. If you’re using a tea strainer, you’ll need to remove your tea strainer before pouring. If you’re steeping your tea in a teapot, just pour your tea from the pot into your cup or mug.
6. Add milk, sugar, or sweetener
If you like, you can add milk, sugar, or sweetener to your tea after it’s been brewed. Pour the milk or sweetener into a milk pitcher or sugar bowl, and add your milk or sweetener to your cup or mug.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea Without Using an Infuser
Don’t worry if you don’t have a tea infuser. In a pinch, you can prepare tea without an infuser. Prepare your tea as directed above, but instead of using an infuser, place your tea leaves directly into your pot or cup. When the tea has completed steeping, strain it through a tiny mesh strainer. If you don’t have a strainer, a coffee filter or a colander will suffice.
Conclusion
Brewing loose leaf tea is easy, and it doesn’t need to be complicated. Once you have your favorite mug, some loose leaf tea, and a way to make hot water, you’re ready to brew loose leaf tea.
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