The Perfect Brew - How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea
A quick introduction about tea brewing
Wondering how to brew loose leaf tea and get that perfect brew? Brewing tea can be a subjective exercise.
Some like their tea strong enough to take the coating off a spoon, for others the water barely touches the leaves before being poured.
You can be as relaxed or rigorous as you like, the trick is to experiment a little and find what best suits your taste.
There are many different ways to make tea at home - the common teapot, in your cup with an infuser, or the traditional Asian 'gaiwan', just to name a few.
We've tried them all and sometimes change between them depending on how many people are being served and how much tea needs to be made. Recently we've come across a new type of tea brewer from Kamjove that we think is just ace! No mess, no hassles, and perfect for multiple, short steeps of whole leaf tea. You can find a selection of these brewers in our shop under the Tea Ware section, along with some of the little extras that contribute to making the perfect brew.
For steeping times and water temperatures, please see below for our recommendations for brewing Arakai Estate green and black teas
Note: These amounts and volumes are for drinking from the smaller tasting cups (~50ml). If you want to make larger cups or for more people, simply scale up the numbers accordingly. What is most important is the water temperature and steeping times. In a perfect world we would all have filtered tap or rain water to make our tea, please understand that some town water may have an impact on the quality of your brew.
How to brew green tea
(Arakai Estate Spring Flush & Premium Green Tea)
Use 2g per 250ml at a water temperate of 80-90℃.
If you don't have a temperature-controllable kettle - Just boil 1 L and add 250ml of cool tap water to drop the temperature down to approx. 90℃
Don't use boiling water for green tea! It is much more likely to result in a bitter, unpleasant brew.
We recommend:
First steep to be 1 minute
Second - 1.5 minutes
Third - 2 minutes
Any further steeps increase the time brewed and/or the water temperature
If you find that your green tea is tasting bitter try reducing the brew time or the amount of tea.
Arakai Green tea should have a light yellow/green colour that you can see through.
How to brew black tea
(Arakai Estate Spring Flush & Premium Black Tea)
Use 2g per 250ml at a rolling boil (95-100℃).
We recommend:
First steep to be 1.5 minutes
Second - 2 minutes
Third - 3 minutes
Any further steeps increase the time brewed.
A nicely brewed Arakai black tea will have a bright amber colour and will be naturally sweet without much bitterness or tannin.
Our black tea is made to be enjoyed without milk or sugar.
If you do want to add milk to your tea (we won't hold it against you!) make one long brew of 3-5 minutes to achieve a darker orange/red colour tea then add the desired amount of milk.
Loose leaf tea brewing FAQs
-
The best way to brew loose leaf tea is to use fresh, filtered water heated to the appropriate temperature for your tea type. Place the loose leaves in an infuser or teapot, pour the hot water over them, and steep for the recommended time. This method allows the leaves to fully expand, releasing optimal flavour and aroma.
-
Yes, you can put loose leaf tea directly in water, a method known as brewing "grandpa style." Simply add tea leaves to your cup or pot, pour hot water over them, and drink when it reaches your desired strength. This method is simple but may result in leaves in your cup and over-steeping if left too long.
-
For loose leaf tea, use about 2 grams (1 teaspoon) per 250ml of water. Adjust this ratio based on personal preference and tea type. Larger, fluffier leaves may require more volume, while denser teas like rolled oolongs may need less. Experiment to find your ideal strength.
-
Steeping time for loose leaf tea varies by type. Generally, green and white teas steep for 1-2 minutes, oolong for 2-5 minutes, and black teas for 2-4 minutes. Herbal teas can steep for 5-7 minutes. These times are guidelines; adjust based on personal taste and the specific tea's instructions.
-
To brew loose leaf tea without an infuser, use the "grandpa style" method. Put tea leaves directly in your cup, add hot water, and let steep. When ready, sip carefully to avoid leaves. Alternatively, use a makeshift filter like a coffee filter or fine-mesh strainer to separate leaves after steeping.
-
To make tea with tea leaves and an infuser, place the desired amount of loose leaves in the infuser. Put the infuser in your cup or teapot and pour hot water over the leaves. Let it steep for the appropriate time, then remove the infuser with the leaves. This method allows for easy cleanup and prevents leaves from over-steeping.
-
To make tea from fresh leaves, rinse the leaves and bruise them slightly to release oils. Use about 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves per cup of water. Heat water to just below boiling, pour over the leaves, and steep for 3-5 minutes. Strain and enjoy. Fresh leaves may require longer steeping times than dried leaves for full flavour extraction.
-
To brew loose leaf tea in a teapot, warm the pot with hot water, then discard. Add 1 teaspoon of tea per cup plus "one for the pot." Pour hot water over the leaves, cover, and steep for the recommended time. Stir gently before serving to ensure even brewing. Use a built-in or separate strainer when pouring to catch the leaves.
-
To make English tea with loose leaves, use 1 teaspoon of black tea per cup. Heat fresh water to a rolling boil and pour over the leaves in a teapot. Steep for 3-5 minutes, then strain into cups. Traditionally, add milk to the cup first, then pour in the tea. Serve with sugar if desired, following personal preference.
-
To brew loose leaf green tea, use water heated to 80-90°C). Place 1 teaspoon of leaves per cup in an infuser or teapot. Pour the water over the leaves and steep for 1-2 minutes. Watch the colour develop and taste test to avoid over-steeping, which can make green tea bitter. Remove leaves promptly and enjoy.
-
To brew loose leaf black tea, bring fresh water to a rolling boil (95-100°C). Use 1 teaspoon of tea per cup and place in an infuser or teapot. Pour the boiling water over the leaves and steep for 3-5 minutes. Adjust steeping time to achieve desired strength. Remove leaves and serve with milk and sugar if preferred.
Having issues getting the perfect brew?
If you don't feel like you're getting the best results from these recommendations, please get in touch and we'll see if we can help figure out what could be improved.
Got a new method for brewing loose leaf tea?
Do you have a certain style or method for brewing your tea that you think we should know about? Feel free to contact us and tell us more about it!
Looking to purchase our award winning tea?
Head to our online store where you can choose from our range of quality, Australian award-winning teas.
