Introduction: How to Make Loose Leaf Tea
Materials
Tea Pot (Preferably Tetsubin)
Tea cups
Tea strainer
Loose leaf tea
Water
Microwave and microwave safe cup
Teaspoon
Oven mitts
Thermometer
Step 1:
1. Fill your tea pot with about 12 ounces of water (a cup and half).
Step 2:
2. Pour the water from the teapot into microwave safe cup.
Step 3:
3. Make sure cup fits in microwave and if not pour into cups that do.
Step 4:
4. Place microwave safe cup into the microwave and heat to boil. Typically 3 min per 8 oz of water.
Step 5:
5. While the water is reaching a boil, open your tea and measure out your tea using a teaspoon. (Note: Depending on the size of your teapot, you will only need 1 teaspoon of tea per 8 ounces of water, so for this project, use one and a half teaspoon of tea)
Step 6:
6. Place measured amount of tea into the tea strainer.
Step 7:
7. Open the top of the teapot and place tea strainer into the top of the teapot.
Step 8:
8. Once the water is boiling and steps 4-6 are complete, remove the water from microwave. (Note: water and steam will be very hot use oven mitts)
Step 9:
9. If you are making Oolong tea go to step 10, Green tea go to step 11, Black tea go to step 12, Red/Rooibos tea go to step 13, White tea go to 14.
Step 10:
10. Oolong Tea is best steeped (left in the hot water) at 190 F for 5 to 8 minutes
Step 11:
11. Green Tea is best steeped (left in hot water) at 150-160 F for 2-4 minutes (Note: Green tea is very fragile if left in water longer than 4 minutes then the tea will become bitter)
Step 12:
12. Black Tea is best steeped (left in hot water) at 208 F for 4-6 minutes
Step 13:
13. Red/Rooibos is best steeped (left in hot water) at 212 F for 4-6 minutes
Step 14:
14. White Tea is best steeped (left in hot water) at 180 F for 4-6 minutes
Step 15:
15. Once water has reached the desired temperature for the specific tea you are steeping, pour the hot water into the teapot.
Step 16:
16. Cover teapot and steep for designated time
Step 17:
17. Once done steeping, remove tea strainer from the teapot and set the strainer aside (Note: may be very hot). Pour Tea into a mug.
Step 18:
Enjoy! (Note: May be very hot)