Take The Time For Infusion

If you are new to the tea life there are a few things that will make your experience more enjoyable. I get this question often from people that I am introducing tea to for the first time. ” How much tea should I use and how long do I infuse it for?” It is not complicated but there are a few rules to follow.

First Thing is the Category

1. White Tea
2. Chinese Green Tea
3. Japanese Green Tea
4. Black Tea
5. Oolong Tea
6. Herbal Tisanes (Tea) Includes Rooibos

Second: The Amounts of Tea

Each of the tea categories require slightly different amounts of tea. I like to use a gram scale. If you don’t have one that’s OK, a spoon will do nicely. Relax and remember we aren’t talking rocket science here, there is wiggle room on the amounts of tea you use. I’m going to talk to the 16 ounce serving. Many small pots carry 16 ounces, and even though I like drinking from a tiny 1 or 2 ounce cup I almost never drink less than 16 ounces of our teas. They are just too good! Take note that if you use a gram scale the weight will take into account how large the leaf size is. With a spoon you will notice you might need more for a larger leaf to allow for the air volume. These following remarks are merely guidelines. The point is to get you loving your tea time. Just realize that you are always in control of your experiences with tea.

• White Teas use 2-3 tablespoons. If you have a gram scale roughly 3gms
• Chinese Green and Japanese Green Teas use 2 tablespoons or 3 gms
• Oolong Teas Use 2-3 tablespoons or 3gms
• Black Teas and Black Tea/ herb blended use 2 tablespoons or 4 gms
• Pu-erh Teas use 2-3 tablespoons or 4-5 gms
• Herbal Tisanes and Rooibos use 2-3 tablespoons or 3-4 gms

Third: What Temperature of Hot Water are you in? And for how long?

• White Tea: Bring the water to about 195 degrees. Infuse for 2-7 minutes When little bubbles start popping around the bottom of the inside of the kettle, turn of the water. there are many hot water dispensers that keep track of temps for you but it’s not necessary. Tea has been known to man as far back in recorded history to somewhere around 2737BCE and timers and thermometers were not invented yet.
• Chinese Green Teas: Bring water temperature to between 160 -190 degrees. Infuse for 1-3 minutes.
• Japanese Green Teas: Bring water temperature to between 160-180 degrees. Infuse for 1-3 minutes. A word on green teas in general as far as infusions. They are highly sensitive to excess heat and long infusions. This select group of teas will get bitter from to high of a heat and from sitting in the tea too long.
• Oolong Teas: Bring the water to between 205-212 degrees. I personally like just under a full boil. Just as the water begins to roll turn off the heat. Let sit about 15 seconds. Infuse for 2-3 minutes.
• Black Teas: Bring the water to a full 212 degrees (full boil). I turn off the heat and let the water set for 15 seconds. Infuse for 2-5 minutes depending on how strong you like your black tea.
• Pu-erh Teas: Bring the water to a full 212 degrees (full boil). Infuse for 2-5 minutes. I like my Pu-erhs for breakfast and I like them dark and creamy. The Sheng Pu-erh is a raw leaf and is best if infusion is closer to 2 minutes. The Shou Pu-erh is a ripened or cooked tea and is wonderful left to infuse for 5 minutes or even more.
• Herbal Tisanes and Rooibos: bring the water to a full 212 degrees (full boil) Infuse for 2-5 minutes. Our Herbal Tisanes are packed with lovely roots, fruits, peels, seeds and of course petals. Some of the ingredients are dense and need time to fully saturate and heat and time help.

For a printable downloadable Infusion chart sign up for e-mail.

Bringing Peace To Your World One Cup At A Time…