Brewing Basics
Tea charts are starting points. Leaf style, processing, water, vessel, ratio, temperature, time, and personal taste all vote, and the packet sometimes has the most relevant local election results. These guides measure what can be measured, separate broad families from specific teas, and change one variable at a time.
Gongfu vs Western Tea Brewing: Ratios and Rhythm
Western-style brewing usually uses less leaf in a larger vessel for one longer infusion: start around 2.5–3 grams per 250 millilitres for two to five…
How Long to Steep Tea: Times by Type
Start green or delicate white tea at 1–3 minutes, oolong at 2–5, black tea at 3–5, and many herbal or fruit infusions at about 5 minutes.
How to Brew Herbal Tea: Follow the Blend
Use a labelled drinking infusion and follow its own amount, water volume and steeping time.
How to Brew White Tea: Two Product-Specific Methods
Follow your particular white tea's complete recipe: leaf weight, water quantity, temperature and time.
Tea Brewing Temperatures: A Taste-First Guide
Use the tea maker's directions first, then adjust by taste. Useful starting water temperatures are 70–80°C/158–176°F for many Japanese sencha,…