Choose tea with the properties you’re looking for. Note that green tea is known for its long-term health benefits,[2] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source black tea provides a small jolt of caffeine, and herbal teas may be used to remedy everything from sleeplessness to poor digestion.
You can buy your own empty teabags and fill them with tea for one-time use. Tea balls are another popular choice. These are better to use for black tea than other types of tea that tend to expand more during the brewing process. In order to brew a great cup of tea, the water needs to be able to flow freely through the leaves. Basket filters are a good choice for any type of tea. You can pour water directly over loose tea and filter it out after it steeps using a fine-mesh strainer.
That said, having a nice tea kettle and pretty cups can add to the calming effect of drinking and enjoying tea. Drinking tea has been an important ritual in many cultures for thousands of years. You can keep this tradition alive by creating your own tea-drinking ritual, whether it’s brewing a cup at a time in your favorite mug, or using a pretty ceramic teapot with cups and saucers. The material of the accessories are important as well. [4] X Research source Heavy metals are better for teas that need to be prepared at high temperatures due to their ability to retain heat, while less conductive materials are recommended for teas with a colder preparation. Use glass for white, green, and herbal tea; porcelain for white, black, and herbal tea; and yixing for oolong and pu-erh. [5] X Research source
Note that a 6-ounce serving is standard teacup size. If you’re making enough tea for a large mug, you might want to use a little more. If you’re making a heavier, denser tea, such as many types of black tea, you can use a little less than a teaspoon per serving. For lighter, bulkier teas, like green teas and herbal teas, use a little more than a teaspoon. After the first few cups you make, you can start measuring out your tea to taste.
Black tea is best steeped at a temperature of 203 degrees Fahrenheit (95 degrees Celsius). Green tea is best steeped at a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (74 to 85 degrees Celsius) before you pour it over the tea. White tea should be steeped at a temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius). Oolong tea is best steeped using a temperature of 203 degrees Fahrenheit (95 degrees Celsius). Herbal teas should be steeped using a temperature of 203 degrees Fahrenheit (95 degrees Celsius).
Black tea should be steeped for 3 to 5 minutes. Green tea should be steeped for 2 to 3 minutes. White tea should be steeped for 2 to 3 minutes. Oolong tea should be steeped for 2 to 3 minutes. Herbal teas should be steeped for 4 to 6 minutes.
