The Perfect Cup

The Perfect Cup of Tea

I. Tea storage

The perfect cup begins well before the water has been boiled. Tea leaves are fragile and easily compromised by heat, light, moisture and air, so storing them correctly is essential. Use a resealable pouch or a tea caddy with an airtight lid, and keep your tea at a neutral temperature away from light – it will stay at its best for much longer.

How to Store Tea
Water Quality for Tea

II. Water quality

Tea experts pay the same attention to the water as the leaves. Water quality can make a big difference, so use either filtered water or natural spring water with low or medium mineral content. Always use freshly boiled water too, as re-boiled water will have lost much of its oxygen.

II. Water quality

Tea experts pay the same attention to the water as the leaves. Water quality can make a big difference, so use either filtered water or natural spring water with low or medium mineral content. Always use freshly boiled water too, as re-boiled water will have lost much of its oxygen.

Water Quality for Tea

III. Temperature

Different tea types infuse best at certain temperatures. While black teas flourish with freshly, fully boiled water, more delicate white and green teas will be scalded by the extreme heat. For these teas, let the water cool to 70°C-80°C before infusing.

The right tea temperature
The right tea quantity

IV. Quantity of tea

When preparing a single cup of tea (200 – 250ml), one heaped teaspoon (or 2-2.5grams) of loose-leaf tea will be enough. For a teapot (500 ml) use at least 2 heaped teaspoons (approximately 5 grams).

IV. Quantity of tea

When preparing a single cup of tea (200 – 250ml), one heaped teaspoon (or 2-2.5grams) of loose-leaf tea will be enough. For a teapot (500 ml) use at least 2 heaped teaspoons (approximately 5 grams).

The right tea quantity

V. Length of infusion

The length of infusion depends on the type of tea and your personal preference. Tea bags require less time as the leaves are smaller, and the increased surface area lends itself to quicker infusions. Loose-leaf teas require slightly longer, with black teas and tisanes needing the longest infusion. Generally green teas require 2–3 minutes to infuse, oolongs 3–5 minutes and black teas and tisanes up to 5 minutes.

Tea Infusion

BREWING GUIDE

 

LOOSE LEAF TEAS

TYPE OF TEA

Black

Green

Oolong

White

Pu Erh

Tisane

WATER TEMPERATURE

Boiling

80°C

Boiling

70 – 80°C

Boiling

Boiling

QUANTITY PER CUP

1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon

1 teaspoon

1 – 2 teaspoons

LENGTH OF INFUSION

3 – 5 minutes

2 – 3 minutes

3 – 5 minutes

2 – 3 minutes

3 – 5 minutes

5 minutes

TEA

Black

Green

Oolong

White

Pu Erh

Tisane

TEMP.

Boiling

80°C

Boiling

70-80°C

Boiling

Boiling

QTY

1 tsp

1 tsp

1 tsp

1 tsp

1 tsp

1-2 tsp

TIME

3-5 min

2-3 min

3-5 min

2-3 min

3-5 min

5 min

TEA BAGS

TYPE OF TEA

Black

Green

Oolong

Tisane

WATER TEMPERATURE

Boiling

80°C

90°C

Boiling

QUANTITY PER CUP

1 teabag per person

1 teabag per person

1 teabag per person

1 teabag per person

LENGTH OF INFUSION

2 – 3 minutes

2 minutes

3 – 5 minutes

3 – 4 minutes

TEA

Black

Green

Oolong

Tisane

TEMP.

Boiling

80°C

90°C

Boiling

QTY

1 p/p

1 p/p

1 p/p

1 p/p

TIME

2-3 min

2 min

3-5 min

3-4 min