Tea Brewing Guide: Temperatures, Steeping Times and Quantities by Tea Type
The same tea can be a revelation or a disappointment depending on how it's brewed. The good news: there's nothing complicated about it. Here's everything you need to know to get it right every time.
The golden rule: never use boiling water for green tea
It's the most common mistake. Water at 100°C poured over a green or white tea destroys the catechins and produces an unpleasant bitterness. Use a kitchen thermometer, or simply let freshly boiled water cool for 2–3 minutes before brewing.
Temperature & steeping time by tea type
| Tea type | Temperature | Time | Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| White tea | 70–75°C | 2–3 min | 2–3 g / 150 ml |
| Green tea | 70–80°C | 1–3 min | 2 g / 150 ml |
| Matcha | 70–75°C | whisk 30s | 2 g / 80 ml |
| Oolong | 85–95°C | 2–4 min | 3 g / 150 ml |
| Black tea | 95–100°C | 2–4 min | 2–3 g / 150 ml |
| Rooibos | 95–100°C | 5–7 min | 3 g / 150 ml |
| Herbal teas & infusions | 95–100°C | 5–10 min | 3 g / 150 ml |
These are starting points — every Teatower product page includes the precise brewing settings for that specific tea.
Can I brew my tea more than once?
Absolutely — and with fine teas, it's actively encouraged. Quality oolongs, white teas and green teas often reveal their best character on the second infusion, sometimes even the third. The technique: reduce the steeping time by 30 seconds with each subsequent brew, and add an extra gram of leaves. Black teas and rooibos are generally best enjoyed as a single, generous infusion.
The 3 most common brewing mistakes
- Water that's too hot — scorches delicate teas and brings out bitterness
- Steeping for too long — releases tannins and creates excessive astringency (particularly with black and green teas)
- Too few leaves — results in a flat, characterless cup. It's always better to use more leaves and steep for less time than the other way round.
Tips for brewing iced tea
Double your usual quantity of leaves, brew a strong hot concentrate, leave to cool for 10 minutes, then pour directly over ice. The result is instant and the aromas are beautifully preserved. Find all our iced tea recipes in our dedicated brewing guide.
Every product page includes the ideal temperature, steeping time and dosage. And our team is on hand in store or by email — we'll always get back to you within 48 hours.