Steeping Instructions

Water temperature recommendations for Teas & Herbals:
White & Green Teas                               180 F – 190 F 

Oolong & Black Teas; Yerba Mate          190 F – 200 F
Herbals & Rooibos                                  212 F

(Caution: For White, Green, Oolong and Black Teas – Steeping in hotter water can scald or burn these teas.)

If using a Whistling Tea Kettle – guidelines for when water is the correct temperature are:
White & Green Teas                             - kettle begins to make soft sounds
Oolong & Black Teas; Yerba Mate        - kettle begins to hiss
Herbals & Rooibos                               - kettle is at a rolling boil

If using boiling water for all tea - guidelines for cooling water before steeping are:

White & Green Teas                             - cool boiling water for 3 minutes
Oolong & Black Teas; Yerba Mate        - cool boiling water for 2 minutes
Herbals & Rooibos                               - use boiling water

Amount & Time to Steep:

(Amount is for an 8 oz cup of tea)

Note: Puerh should be rinsed before steeping.

White – use heaping tsp – steep for 4 – 5 minutes
Flavored White – use heaping tsp – steep for 2 – 3 minutes         
Green – use 1 tsp – steep for 1 – 3 minutes                                 
Oolong – use 1 tsp – steep for 2 – 4 minutes                                       
Black – use 1 tsp – steep for 2 – 3 minutes                                         
Herbal Infusions – use heaping tsp – steep for 5 – 6 minutes               
Rooibos – use heaping tsp – steep for 4 – 5 minutes
Yerba Mate - use heaping tsp - steep 3 – 4  minutes

Hints:
Moisten the tea in your infuser with your hot water. Wait a few seconds for the tea or herbal infusion to warm up. Then add the rest of your hot water. This will allow your tea leaves, etc to be their most flavorful.

If you want to sweeten your tea, honey is a healthier choice than sugar.

Tea can be re-steeped at least once, if not 3-4 times:

An advantage of a premium quality loose leaf tea is that the tea can be re-steeped. In my experience, the Teas we carry can be re-steeped at least once, if not 3-4 times. This brings down the price per cup of the tea. (I have not found re-steeping most Herbals or Rooibos to be worth it taste wise). Also, only re-steep your tea within a 24 hour period. After that, it's time to throw out the leaves or use them as fertilizer in your garden.

How to prepare Matcha:

For Matcha beginners: Use 1/8 to 1/2 tsp per 8 oz of water. Add a small amount of 180 - 190 degree water, whisk into a smooth paste, add rest of water and whisk again. Matcha is best when consumed quickly to maintain the frothy texture. As you become accustomed to Matcha, feel free to up the amount according to taste.