Steep Time
2:00
Temp
175°F
Amount
1 tsp
Caffeine
28 mg
2:00
175°F
1 tsp
28 mg
Steep Instructions
2:00 at 175°F
Use 1 tsp • 2 more steeps possible
Caffeine per Cup by Type (mg)
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Japanese green teas like Sencha need lower temperatures (170°F) and shorter steeps (1.5 min) to avoid bitterness. The leaves can be re-steeped 2–3 times with excellent flavor.
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Black tea requires a full rolling boil and 3–5 minutes of steeping. English Breakfast is a blend that holds up to milk, so a full 4-minute steep is ideal.
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Gongfu brewing uses more leaf (5 g) in less water (4 oz) with very short steeps. This method reveals different flavor layers across 5–7 successive infusions.
Water temperature varies dramatically by tea type. Green tea needs 160–180°F (too hot makes it bitter), while black tea needs a full boil at 200–212°F. White tea brews at 160–185°F, oolong at 185–205°F, and herbal teas at a full 212°F boil.
| Tea Type | Temperature (°F) | Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 160–180°F | 71–82°C |
| White | 160–185°F | 71–85°C |
| Oolong | 185–205°F | 85–96°C |
| Black | 200–212°F | 93–100°C |
| Herbal | 212°F | 100°C |
Steep times range from 1–3 minutes for green tea to 5–7 minutes for herbal tisanes. Over-steeping extracts excess tannins, making tea bitter. Under-steeping produces weak, flavorless tea. The sweet spot depends on tea type, leaf size, and personal preference.
| Tea Type | Steep Time | Re-Steeps |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 1–3 min | 2–3 steeps |
| White | 2–5 min | 2–3 steeps |
| Oolong | 2–4 min | 3–5 steeps |
| Black | 3–5 min | 1–2 steeps |
| Herbal | 5–7 min | 1 steep |
The standard ratio is 1 teaspoon (2–3 grams) of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of water. Fluffy teas like white or some greens may need 1.5–2 teaspoons by volume. Dense rolled oolongs need only 1 teaspoon. For stronger tea, add more leaves rather than steeping longer.
| Tea Type | Tsp/8 oz | Grams/8 oz |
|---|---|---|
| Green (flat leaves) | 1 tsp | 2–3 g |
| White (fluffy buds) | 1.5–2 tsp | 2–3 g |
| Oolong (rolled) | 1 tsp | 3–4 g |
| Black (orthodox) | 1 tsp | 2–3 g |
| Herbal (dried flowers) | 1.5–2 tsp | 2–4 g |
Yes, most quality loose leaf teas can be re-steeped 2–5 times. Oolong is the champion with 3–5 steeps, followed by green and white at 2–3 steeps. Increase steep time by 30–60 seconds per re-steep. Black tea generally only tolerates 1–2 re-steeps before flavor fades.
| Tea Type | Max Re-Steeps | Add Time Per Steep |
|---|---|---|
| Oolong | 3–5 | +30–60 sec |
| Green | 2–3 | +30 sec |
| White | 2–3 | +60 sec |
| Black | 1–2 | +60 sec |
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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