Make the Perfect Cup of Tea

Ever wonder how to steep the perfect cup of tea? Fear no more.... we've put together a  comprehensive list on how to steep each kind of tea to make the best flavor!

First, our Pin offers an at-a-glance view of how to steep tea. For our temperatures, you might need a thermometer, though. Below, we've explained just how to tell if your water's the right temperature without ​having to use a thermometer. 

Black

The tea with the highest amount of caffeine and a ton of beneficial flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) is best enjoyed steeped in boiling-hot water.

To make a perfect cup of black tea:
Boil 8-12 ounces* (1 - 1.5 cups) of purified water
Drop in one teabag or 1.5 teaspoons** of loose leaves in a strainer
Cover & let sit for 3-6 minutes

Oolong

Oolong ranks second highest among tea types for caffeine content. It also tends to have a smokier flavor than black teas & brew a little lighter in tone.

To make a perfect cup of Oolong tea:
Bring 8-12 ounces of purified water to a boil
Drop in one teabag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaves in a strainer
Cover & steep for 2-8 minutes, to desired strength

Green

Everyone knows green tea is chock full of antioxidants & tastes great to boot!

To make a perfect cup of Green Tea:
Bring 8-12 ounces of purified water to a boil
Allow water to sit, off heat for 2-3 minutes (until water temperature is 155-180 degrees)
Drop in one teabag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaves in a strainer
Cover & steep for 1-4 minutes, to desired strength

White

With less caffeine and a subtle flavor, white teas are the perfect refreshing beverage. White tea could replace water or sodas perfectly as an afternoon alternative. 

To make a perfect cup of White Tea:
Bring 8-12 ounces of purified water to a boil
Allow water to cool, off heat for 2-3 minutes (until water temperature is 167-180 degrees)
Drop in one teabag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaves in a strainer
​Cover & steep for 1-4 minutes, to desired strength

Herbal

Herbal teas have a range of steeping needs depending on the specific type of herbs & flowers used; however, as a basic rule, the following instructions should make a pretty perfect cup of any type of herbal tea.

To make a perfect cup of Herbal Tea:
Bring 8-12 ounces of purified water to a boil
Drop in one teabag or 1.5 teaspoons of loose leaves in a strainer
Cover & steep for 4-8 minutes, to desired strength

Iced

As a general rule, double the tea:water ratio when making iced tea -- you're going to water down that tea with all the ice you'll be adding!

What that means in real terms is you should use 3 teaspoons for every 8-12 ounces of water instead of 1 tsp. A strong steep will lead to a robust tea, not watered-down yuck.

In general, steeping times remain the same for hot-brewed Iced Tea. 

Notes

*8 ounces is only one US cup, but your typical mug will be closer to 10-12 ounces. 
**1.5 teaspoons makes a strong 8 ounce or a standard 12 ounce cup of tea.