Loose Leaf Tea Brew Guide
Whether you’re brewing delicate green tea or a vibrant herbal infusion, follow these simple steps and you’ll be on your way to enjoying a better brew.
Choose a tea type, brew perfectly.
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Fruit& Herbal Teas (95-100°C)
Fruit and herbal teas, also known as tisanes, are naturally caffeine-free and made from dried herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices. These infusions require boiling water to extract their full flavour.
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1-2 teaspoons per 250ml
• Water Temperature: 95-100°C
• Steeping Time: 3-5 minutes
Head over to our wide selection of delicious Fruit and Herbal caffeine free teas here.
Black Tea (95-100°C)
Black tea is fully oxidised, giving it a strong, bold flavour. It brews best with hot, near-boiling water to bring out its rich taste and deep aroma.
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 teaspoon per 250ml
• Water Temperature: 95-100°C
• Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes
Oolong Tea (80-90°C)
Oolong tea sits between green and black tea in terms of oxidation, resulting in a complex, floral, and sometimes creamy flavour.
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 teaspoon per 250ml
• Water Temperature: 80-90°C
• Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes
Green Tea (70-80°C)
Green tea is delicate and requires cooler water to avoid bitterness and preserve its natural sweetness and umami notes.
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1 teaspoon per 250ml
• Water Temperature: 70-80°C
• Steeping Time: 1-3 minutes
White Tea (60-75°C)
White tea is the least processed type of tea, making it light, floral, and naturally sweet. It should be brewed at lower temperatures to avoid scorching the delicate leaves.
• Tea-to-Water Ratio: 1-2 teaspoons per 250ml
• Water Temperature: 60-75°C
• Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes
Matcha & Gyokuro (50-60°C)
Matcha and Gyokuro green tea are shade-grown, resulting in higher chlorophyll and umami content. They require very low water temperatures to prevent bitterness and bring out their natural sweetness.
• Tea-to-Water Ratio:
- Matcha: 1 teaspoon per 70ml water
- Gyokuro: 1 teaspoon per 250ml
• Water Temperature: 50-60°C
• Steeping Time:
- Matcha: Whisk immediately until bubbles—no steeping required.
- Gyokuro: 1-2 minutes
✔ Use fresh, filtered water for the best flavour.
✔ Avoid over-steeping, especially for green and white teas, to prevent bitterness.
✔ Experiment with multiple infusions—many teas (especially oolong and green tea) can be re-steeped.
✔ Store tea properly in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture to preserve its freshness.
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Porter Hill Tea Blog
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