Though it may not seem like it at first glance, brewing the perfect cup of tea can be challenging, especially for beginners. With different strains, additives, and methods, the limitless options can be overwhelming instead of full of possibilities. Fortunately, knowing the basics of tea time can help you to prepare a delicious drink every time, whether you’re looking for bold blacks or sweet greens.
Flavors
Tea comes in a multitude of flavors and varieties beyond the basic types of leaf. You can find naturally and artificially flavored tea such as Earl Gray or jasmine green, which use fruity and floral ingredients to complement the taste of your tea.
If you’re unsure where to begin, a well-stocked company such as Mystic Monk (https://www.mysticmonkcoffee.com/collections/tea) will offer various tea flavors to help you get started on your journey.
Know your teas

One of the most important parts of brewing tea is knowing your tea leaves. While some types can handle high heat and long steeping times, others will grow bitter quickly. So, make sure to base your brewing parameters around the type of tea leaf in your cup.
1. Black
Black tea is the most heavily oxidized tea type and often boasts a rich, sometimes bittersweet flavor. Leaves are withered, rolled, and oxidized before drying, leaving you with a tea that’s high in caffeine and boasts plenty of health benefits.
Additionally, Black teas often handle high temperatures and long steeping times well. You can brew them in a thick ceramic vessel as well as you can with glass or porcelain.
2. Green
On the other hand, green teas are much less oxidized than black varieties. They are withered and fixed before drying, allowing them to retain more healthy antioxidants such as polyphenols and catechins.
Green teas also boast less caffeine than more heavily oxidized types. Additionally, this type of tea often gets bitter at high heat, so it’s best to keep steeps short and below 190 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. White
White tea undergoes even less processing than green tea, as leaves don’t get fixed before drying. People prize white tea for its high antioxidant levels and potent health benefits.
While leafy, white teas contain the least caffeine, as those picked from tips and buds tend to have high caffeine levels. Like green tea, white variants do well with short steeping times and at a cooler temperature.
And remember—it’s best to use thin glass or ceramic vessels instead of thick clay.
4. Oolong
Oolong tea sits somewhere between black and green tea, with low to moderate oxidation levels. Green oolongs tend to have low caffeine levels on par with green tea, while dark oolongs have caffeine levels closer to their black counterparts.
Most oolong teas can handle high heat and longer steeping times than whites or greens. Depending on the type of oolong steeping, you can use a glass, porcelain, or clay vessel without any issues.
5. Pu-Erh
Pu-erh is a type of heavily fermented tea that is rarer than other varieties, especially in the West. An extra fermentation step after drying gives leaves a complex, earthy character.
Young raw Pu-Erh, or sheng Pu-Erh, does best with gentle, low-temperature steeps. On the other hand, aged Pu-Erh or ripe varieties, also known as Shou Pu-Erh, do better with boiling water and longer steeps.
6. Herbal
Unlike greens, blacks, and other true teas, herbal teas do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, they come from herbs such as chamomile, peppermint, ginger, and more.
Herbal teas are popular as a natural remedy for many health concerns ranging from digestive issues to headaches. Additionally, most herbal teas handle heat well, allowing you to brew at high heat and for long steeping periods.
Also read: Scientific Study Proves That Sipping A Cup of Tea Regularly Boosts Your Brain Health
Choose between Loose-leaf or Tea bags

When it comes to tea, there’s some debate as to whether loose-leaf is better than tea bags.
If you’re looking for ease and convenience, tea bags make a good choice. Tea leaves sit contained in a silk, nylon, or paper sachet that prevents debris from getting into your drink. That way, you can brew the perfect amount straight in your cup without extra equipment.
On the other hand, loose leaf tea must be weighed and measured before brewing. You also need a brewing vessel and filters to prevent leaf debris from entering your cup. However, intact tea leaves usually retain more oils than leaf fragments in tea bags, allowing you to brew a more robust, flavorful cup of tea with loose leaves.
Invest in brewing equipment
When you use tea bags, you only need an insulated mug or teacup to brew your beverage. On the flip side, a proper brewing vessel is essential if you prefer loose-leaf tea. It allows you to safely brew your tea without leaving leaves, dust, or other debris in your drink.
1. Teapots

Many people use a teapot to brew their favorite loose-leaf tea. Most teapots include a handle for easy pouring and a spout to direct flow. Some may also have a filter to catch leaves before they enter your cup.
You can find teapots in various sizes, from 200 ml individual pots to 4-cup models boasting a capacity of 800 ml or more.
2. Gaiwans

Gaiwans are another brewing vessel that tends to be more prevalent in Eastern cultures. A
Gaiwan includes a small cup-like container, a lid, and a bowl, allowing plenty of room for leaves to expand, making it a good choice for loose-leaf options.
Gaiwans are also the vessel of choice for Gongfu brewing, which includes a high leaf-to-water ratio and short steeping times.
3. Infuser sets

An infuser set is one of the best ways to brew tea on the go, combining your brewing vessel and drinking cup into a single, user-friendly set. Once you finish brewing your tea, you can remove the steeper and leaves in one easy step for smooth drinking.
If you prefer to brew straight in your mug, you can find strainers that filter out solids like leaves for a smoother drinking experience. Some cups even have a filter built into the lip of the glass to catch debris as you sip.
Wrapping up
If you’re a novice tea drinker looking to get into the nitty gritty of tea brewing, learning the basics can help you build a foundation and brew a better cup each time. The parameters will depend on the tea you use and which method you select for brewing.
With patience and practice, you can learn how to brew anything from flavored teas to herbal blends in just a few short steps.
Also read: Tea Tips for Beginners – The Best Way to Start Improving Your Life Aloud