Discover the Magic of Loose Leaf Tea: A Guide to Brewing the Perfect Cup

by Danielle murdoch April 05, 2023

There's something special about brewing a cup of loose leaf tea. The aroma, the taste, and the ritual of it all make for a truly satisfying experience. In this blog, we'll dive into the world of loose leaf tea and explore what makes it so special.

Firstly, what exactly is loose leaf tea? Unlike tea bags, which contain broken pieces of tea leaves, loose leaf tea is made up of whole, intact tea leaves. This means that loose leaf tea offers a more complex and nuanced flavor profile, as the leaves are able to fully expand and infuse with the water.

There are countless types of loose leaf tea to choose from, ranging from classic black teas to delicate white teas, fragrant herbal teas, and everything in between and you can even create your own special blend to suit your own unique tastes. An added bonus of loose leaf tea is that unlike tea bags, which often contain plastic and can't be recycled, loose leaf tea is a zero-waste option so you can enjoy your tea with a clear conscience.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of brewing loose leaf tea is the ritual of it all. From heating the water to measuring out the tea leaves, there's something soothing and meditative about the process. It's a chance to slow down and enjoy a few moments of calm amidst a busy day in this crazy world we call home.

So with so many benefits lets explore the world of loose leaf tea and discover your new favourite brew?

Brewing loose leaf tea may seem daunting at first, but it's actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.

What you will need:

A teapot either with built in infuser (tea strainer if there is no built in infuser) or a standalone infuser. The choice of which one is all down to personal preference, but we find the tea pots most useful and economical with the amount of tea.

The Avanti Camelia teapot is one of the best selling teapots we sell, with its built in infuser and good range of colours it fits well with most interiors. Find our full range of teapots here and find tea strainers here

Find a range of tea infusers and tea balls at Have To Have It here

A tea scoop or tea spoon for measuring the tea leaves. Found here
Your favourite mug. Somehow tea tastes different if the mug isn’t right so make sure you have your favourite to hand! If you don’t have a favourite mug yet check out our range of mugs here.

How to brew loose leaf tea:

Start by boiling water in a kettle. The temperature of the water will depend on the type of tea you're brewing. For example, green tea should be brewed at a lower temperature than black tea.
While the water is boiling, measure out the desired amount of loose leaf tea using a tea scoop or teaspoon. Generally, you'll want to use about one teaspoon of tea per cup of water.
Once the water has reached the desired temperature, pour it into your teapot, or mug if you’re using a standalone infuser, allowing the water to warm the pot or mug for a minute or two.
Next, if using a teapot add the loose leaf tea to the built in infuser and place it into the teapot Make sure the infuser is fully submerged in the water. If youre using a strainer instead add it directly to the water in the pot.
If you are using a standalone infuser simply fill the compartment with tea, make sure it is shut securely and doesn’t spring open once in the water and place it in your mug of water.
Let the tea steep for the recommended amount of time, which will depend on the type of tea you're brewing. Generally, green tea should steep for 1-3 minutes, while black tea should steep for 3-5 minutes.
After the tea has steeped for the desired amount of time, remove the infuser from the teapot and set it aside.
Pour the brewed tea into your cup through the strainer if not using an infuser and enjoy!

One of the benefits of using an infuser is that it allows you to easily remove the loose tea leaves from the teapot, preventing the tea from becoming too bitter or over-steeped.

Overall, brewing tea with a teapot and loose leaf tea using an infuser is a simple and satisfying process that can be easily adapted to suit your personal taste preferences. So why not give it a try and discover the joys of loose leaf tea?

Tips:

Use fresh, filtered water to make the best-tasting tea.
Don't over-steep the tea, as it can make it bitter. Follow the recommended steeping time for the tea type you are brewing.
Experiment with different brewing methods and tea types to find your perfect cup of tea.

Brewing loose leaf tea may take a little bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to enjoy a delicious and satisfying cup of tea every time.