How to Brew Black Tea

 

How To Brew Black Tea

1. Preheat a teapot by pouring boiling water into it, raising the temperature of the teapot to at least 180°.
2. Discard the water. In your teapot, or filter, add 1 teaspoon of loose tea for each cup of tea you're brewing.
3. Pour fresh boiling water over the tea or tea bag. This super-saturates the tea, allowing the perfect extraction of the flavor.
4. The water temperature should be 210°F (99°C), just under the boiling point. Let the tea steep for a full 5 minutes.
5. Pour the tea through a strainer into the cups.

Black Tea Brewing Temperature

Black teas taste best when brewed between 205° and 212° Fahrenheit. If you bring your water past the boiling point, you risk scorching the tea. Our wide offering of unique black tea blends results in different optimal temperatures, so it’s best to experiment to find the best temperature range. You can use electric water-dispensing pots to heat water to exact temperatures, or you can insert instant-read thermometers to check water temperature prior to pouring over your black tea leaves.

Black Tea Brewing Time

Black tea leaves should steep for at least 4-5 minutes, as a general rule. However, each batch and each drinker’s palate will dictate the proper brewing time. Observing both the tea liquor and body will help you gauge whether you have brewed your tea for the correct amount of time.

If you’re looking for a stronger cup of tea, it’s best to increase the amount of tea used instead of increasing the brewing time.

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