The Basics of Brewing Tea
WATER
Can I use water from the tap?
The better water you use, the better your tea will taste. Always start with a fresh pot of cool filtered drinking water. Water that has been previously boiled is low in oxygen and using it for your tea makes your tea less flavorful.
What is the recommended temp to heat the water?
This is likely the most challenging part of the tea brewing process. Each tea is unique and requires different temperatures to bring out the best. Learning the perfect temp for each tea is an art form, but this is a quick guide to get you started.
Typically the lighter the tea the lower the temp, darker teas need hotter temps. Other botanicals (herbs, spices, fruit, and flowers) need more heat to extract the most flavor.
White Teas - 155-165F (70C)
Matcha - 175-180F (80C)
Green Teas - 175-185F (80C)
Oolong Tea - 185-195F (90C)
Black Tea - 195 - 205F (95C)
Herbal/Blends/Chai - Boiling 212F (100C)
TEA
Where’s the tea bag?
We think there’s a better way. Not only do most tea bags contain plastics and chemicals, but the tea inside is heavily manufactured and the lowest grade of tea. We think you deserve better. So we blend premium loose leaf teas that are richer in nutrients and have more depth of flavor.
Tea bags and most infusers restrict the tea during steeping (tea expands 3-6 times during infusion), we recommend steeping in a tea pot or open container that gives the tea plenty of room to expand and the water can make it all the way around the surface of the tea leaves. You can use the lid of the container or a fine mesh strainer to catch any particles when pouring into a cup. There is, of course, the argument of convenience of a tea bag. Consider using a larger disposable tea bag that gives tea room to expand and is more breathable material that won’t restrict the saturation of water with the leaves.
How much tea do I need?
The simple answer is that it depends on personal preference. This is where you get to take control over your tea beverage. Add less tea if you don’t like your tea too strong. Add more tea for more flavor.
It's best to start with 1 teaspoon (2g) for single origin tea and straight tea blends (this how the “tea”-spoon got its name). For most herbal and flavored blends you will want to start at 2 teaspoons (3g). Plan on increasing by at least 1 teaspoon if you are making iced tea, cold brew, or adding milk for a tea latte.
STEEP
Can I just leave the tea in the water?
Tannins (bitterness) are released with heat over time. The longer you leave your tea leaves in water the more bitter it will become. As much as possible, be sure to strain all the liquid (tea) at the recommended steeping time.
How long should I steep the tea?
Each tea is unique and needs different steeping times to bring out the best of the tea. Some teas can even be steeped multiple times at shorter durations that will reveal different flavors of the tea with each steeping. We recommend that you do some experiments of your own to find out what you prefer, simply taste the tea first before straining. But here is a guide to get you started.
White Teas - 5min
Green Teas - 4-5min
Oolong Tea - 3-4min
Black Tea - 2-3min
Herbal/Blends/Chai - 5-7min
What about cold brew?
One of the best ways to enjoy iced tea is to make cold brew tea. The cold brew process elevates some of the subtle flavors of the tea, and tends to be sweeter and smoother than a hot brew. Single origin teas, straight tea blends, as well as blends with a lot of herbs and flowers tend to cold brew very well (spices and fruit teas don't always yield the best cold brew).
To cold brew add 2-3 teaspoons (3-4g) per 8oz of cold water to a jar or pitcher and place in the fridge overnight. Cold brew for 12-24hrs, strain and enjoy.
DRINK
What is the perfect tea cup?
It's no secret that the design of a drinking vessel can influence the overall taste of your beverage (think craft beer and wines). We offer a variety of teaware from Fellow that has been specifically designed for craft beverages. We also commission artists to design pieces that best reflect the look, feel, and functionality that complements our craft tea.
How long will the tea keep?
Loose tea should be stored in a sealed container, kept cool, dry, and out of sunlight. When stored properly tea can last up to 2 years, although we recommend consuming tea within 1 year of the "packaged on" date. Teas will continue to oxidize if frequently exposed to air; it’s best to keep tea that you use daily in smaller containers that can be refilled to keep tea fresh. And some teas, like matcha, should be kept refrigerated to lock in freshness, vibrancy, and flavor.