The Ritual · Brewing guide
Good loose-leaf tea deserves a little care. You do not need special equipment, just attention to three things: how much tea, how hot the water, and how long you steep.
The brewing chart (per 250ml cup)
| Tea | Amount | Water | Time |
| White tea | 2–3g (2 tsp) | 80–85°C | 3–5 min |
| Green tea | 2g (1 tsp) | 75–80°C | 2–3 min |
| Black tea | 2–3g (1 tsp) | 90–100°C | 3–5 min |
| Herbal | 2–3g (1–2 tsp) | 95–100°C | 5–7 min |
Getting the water right
Without a thermometer, boil fresh water and let it rest: about 1 minute for 90°C, 2–3 minutes for 80°C. Water that is too hot makes green and white tea taste bitter.
Five habits for a better cup
- Use fresh, filtered water and do not re-boil it.
- Warm your cup or teapot with a splash of hot water first.
- Give the leaves room to unfurl: a teapot or a large infuser is better than a small ball.
- Taste as you go. Shorter is gentler; longer is stronger.
- Remove the leaves when the tea is ready, so it does not over-steep.
Steep again
Good whole-leaf teas can be infused two or three times. Add 30–60 seconds for each new infusion and notice how the flavour changes.