Brewing Tea: Frequently Asked Questions

Every one has questions about brewing tea. Here are some questions and answers I hear most often.

What makes a good teapot?

A teapot should be rounded for efficient distribution of heat; dense in composition to retain heat; and of a size appropriate for the amount of tea you are brewing.

Can you brew loose tea right in your mug as you do when using teabags?

Yes, very easily and efficiently. You can buy an infuser system by Chatsford or teeli. You'll want a mug with a relatively small opening to put your infuser into. Cover during the brew process; remove the infuser and rap it over your wastebasket for a very tidy cleanup.

What is the easiest way to brew loose tea?

If you are used to tea bags you may want to load paper filters (yes, empty tea bags) with loose tea and place in your pot, mug or cup. Pour in the water, steep, and toss out the bag.

What infusing methods make the best tea?

That's easy! Just make sure your infuser allows the leaves ample room in which to open up. There is a general agreement that the 4 cup Chatsford is a winner.

How long does tea stay fresh?

Black tea, oolong and white teas will hold their freshness upwards from a year, with black tea having the longest shelf life. Green tea on the other hand has a much smaller window of freshness, upwards of 3 months. Many green teas are rolled into pellets or pearl sized balls to increase their shelf life. If your tea seems to have lost some of its tastiness, use a little more tea per cup.

How much dry tea will be needed when I make a mug or pot of tea?

The rule of thumb is one level teaspoonful for each 6 oz measure of water. If the leaf is large or bulky, it is necessary to use more. Experiment for yourself. If you use too much tea the cup will seem over done.

How hot should the water be?

Use fresh water for the oxygen content. Warm the steeping vessel with hot water before steeping. Bring water to a boil.

For black tea and oolong pour the boiling water over the leaves. For green tea let the water cool down a bit before pouring it over the leaves.

Experiment to find your best outcomes.

How long do I steep the tea?

Again you should experiments for the specific tea you want to steep. You can start with 4 - 5 minutes for black tea, 4 minutes for oolong, and 3 minutes for green.