How to brew loose leaf

One spoon of leaf, hot water, a few minutes. That's the whole method. Loose leaf only needs two things a tea bag doesn't: something to hold the leaves, and the right water temperature for the tea you're making.

What you need

  • An infuser — a basket, a ball, or a teapot with a strainer. Ours is $5 and comes free with any tea.
  • A mug or pot. 8 oz is one serving.
  • Water. Filtered if your tap water has a strong taste; otherwise tap is fine.

The method

  1. Measure one heaping teaspoon of leaf per 8 oz of water. For fluffy blends like Flora and Solstice, use a rounded tablespoon.
  2. Heat the water to the temperature in the table below. Green tea takes cooler water; everything else takes a full boil.
  3. Pour the water over the leaves and wait the time shown.
  4. Lift the infuser out. Leaving it in makes the cup bitter.

By tea

Tea Leaf per 8 oz Water Steep Caffeine Re-steep?
Flora 1 rounded tbsp 212°F, full boil 5–7 min None Once
Solstice 1 rounded tbsp 212°F, full boil 5–7 min None Once
Earth 1 heaping tsp 212°F, full boil 5–7 min None Once
Traveler 1 heaping tsp 212°F, full boil 7–10 min None Once
Nepali Green Pearl 1 heaping tsp 175°F, steaming, not boiling 2–3 min Yes 2–3 times
Assam Black 1 heaping tsp 205°F, just off the boil 3–4 min Yes Once

A few notes

  • No thermometer? For green tea, boil the water, then wait about two minutes before pouring. For everything else, pour straight from the boil.
  • Nepali Green Pearl is rolled tight. The first steep opens the leaves; the second is often the best cup.
  • Traveler is seeds and spices rather than leaves, which is why it takes longer. It also simmers well on the stove for a stronger cup.
  • For iced tea, brew at double strength and pour over a full glass of ice. Flora and Solstice are the ones to start with.
  • Keep tea in the bag it came in, sealed, away from light and the stove. It holds its flavor for about a year.

Questions about a blend? Write to hello@oconeetea.com.