We all love tea and with so many varieties and blends, it can be difficult to know the right way to steep them. With all the caffeine-free and caffeinated tea options, knowing the optimal steeping time is a key element to creating a great cup of tea. To help make sure you don’t miss out on a single sip of tea perfection, we’re here to help guide you through how long to steep the various tea types.
For all the caffeinated tea fans out there, here’s what you need to know. When using black tea, boiling water is necessary and both a tea bag and full leaf should steep for 3-5 minutes. Green tea is similar with short of boiling water and steeping time between 3-5 minutes. For white tea, short of boiling water is best and for a tea bag, you should steep for 30-60 seconds and a full leaf steep for 2-3 minutes. Oolong tea also requires boiling water and should steep for 3-5 minutes for a tea bag or 5-7 minutes for a full leaf. For yellow tea you’ll need boiling water with a 2-minute steep time for a tea bag or 2-3 minutes for a full leaf. The classic Darjeeling tea will require boiling water and steep for 3-5 minutes with a tea bag and 5 minutes with a full leaf. Chai tea will also require boiling water with a 3-5 minute steep time for a tea bag and a full leaf should steep for 5 minutes.
For caffeine-free tea lovers, here’s what you need to know. For herbal tea, you’ll want to use boiling water and a tea bag or full leaf should steep for 5-7 minutes. For Rooibos tea, use boiling water and steep a tea bag or full leaf for 5-7 minutes. The same steep times apply to Hibiscus tea as well. Lastly, chamomile tea should use boiling water with a 5-7 minute steep time for a tea bag or full leaf.
Whether you are in the mood for a caffeine pick-me-up or a caffeine-free cup of herbal goodness, now you have the perfect guide for how long to steep tea to get that perfect cup. Knowing the right steeping time can take any cup of tea to the next level and now you’re ready to start brewing up something great!