Loose-leaf tea is not difficult to brew, but three numbers make all the difference: how much tea, how hot the water and how long it steeps. Get them right and the same leaves taste rounder and fuller, and much closer to the description on the pack. Here is a simple guide for every tea type, plus a few ways to brew without a classic tea egg.
The quick table
| Tea type | Tea per 250 ml mug | Water | Steeping time | Second steep? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black tea | 3–4 g (1 heaped teaspoon) | 95–100 °C | 3–5 min | Sometimes, a little longer |
| Green tea | 3–4 g | 75–80 °C | 2–3 min | Yes, often twice more |
| White tea | 3–4 g (about 2 teaspoons, the leaves are light) | 75–85 °C | 3–5 min | Yes |
| Rooibos | 3–4 g | 100 °C | 5–8 min | Yes |
| Herbal tea | 3–4 g | 100 °C | 5–8 min | Sometimes |
| Fruit tea | 4–5 g | 100 °C | 8–10 min | Rarely |
These are starting points. Every Holy Tea pack has its own brewing instructions, and we made a short video for each tea type.
1. How much tea per cup?
For a 250 ml mug, about 3–4 g of loose tea is a good start, roughly one heaped teaspoon. Light, airy teas such as white tea and some herbal blends need a bigger spoonful for the same weight, while fruit blends with pieces of apple or hibiscus need a little more tea overall. A kitchen scale helps the first few times; after that you will know your spoon.
Want it stronger? Add more tea rather than steeping it longer. A longer steep mostly adds bitterness, especially with black and green tea.
2. Water temperature
Freshly boiled water suits black tea, rooibos, herbal and fruit blends. Green and white tea are more delicate: water that is too hot makes them bitter and flat. If your kettle has no temperature setting, let boiled water stand for 3–5 minutes before you pour it over green tea, or add a splash of cold water to the mug first. Fresh water from the tap gives a cleaner taste than water that has been boiled several times.
3. Steeping time
Set a timer, at least the first time. Black tea gets stronger and drier the longer it steeps: three minutes gives a lighter cup, five a full one. Our guide to the perfect cup of black tea goes into more detail. Green tea is best kept short. Rooibos, herbal and fruit blends are forgiving: they need time to give their flavour and rarely turn bitter, so 5 to 10 minutes is fine. For Greek mountain tea we have a separate guide.
Cover your mug while the tea steeps, so the aroma stays in the cup and the water stays hot.
4. Brewing without a tea egg
A tea egg is handy, but often too small: the leaves have no room to unfold. A few alternatives:
- A mug with an infuser. A large basket infuser gives the leaves space, and a lid keeps the heat in. Our Juliet mugs come with a stainless-steel infuser and an acacia wood lid.
- A filter for your own mug. The Filter and Lid fits Juliet mugs and most standard tea mugs, so you can keep using the mug you love.
- A teapot. Let the leaves float freely in the pot and pour through a small strainer. Pour out all the tea once the time is up, so the last cup does not over-steep.
- A jug and a sieve. No tea gear at all? Steep the leaves loose in a jug or large mug and pour the tea through a fine kitchen sieve.
5. Steeping the leaves again
Good loose leaves often have more to give. Green and white teas can usually be steeped two or three times; add 30 seconds to a minute for each new round. Rooibos does well a second time too. Fruit blends give most of their flavour in the first cup.
6. Storing loose tea
Keep tea in an airtight container, away from light, heat, moisture and strong smells such as coffee or spices. Stored like that, it keeps its aroma for months. Close the pack well after every use, or move the tea to a tin.
Practise with a new tea every month
The best way to learn brewing is to try many different teas. In our Tea Club you choose a club and receive three 50 g loose-leaf blends plus a 15 g surprise tea every month, each with brewing instructions on the pack. You can add Juliet mugs and the Filter and Lid as one-time add-ons at 15% off with your plan. Comparing plans? Read what to look for in a tea subscription, or compare all our tea plans.
A new tea to brew every month
Choose one of six Tea Clubs: three 50 g loose-leaf blends and a 15 g surprise tea every month, with brewing instructions on every pack. €24.90 a month, first month €21.90.