How much tea should you steep in your cup?
The act of brewing tea is made of a sequence of knowing gestures that starts with choosing how much loose leaf tea per cup. Here's what you need to know.
Like many rituals, the act of brewing tea is made of a sequence of knowing gestures that starts with choosing the right amount of leaves. The quantity varies according to the kind of tea you're drinking and your taste, but we can state a general rule that will help you make a delicious drink!
Let’s leave (no pun intended!) the Chinese techniques aside and assume you want to make a single cup of hot tea with high quality leaves, with either classic Puer ('black' or 'red' tea) or Longjing (green tea). Unsurprisingly, the classic teaspoon size is the handiest tool in the kitchen when it comes to measuring the right amount for a single serving.
Puer
1 – 1.25 tsp (approximately 3-4 grams), 240-250 milliliters water at 100°c.
For a cup of Puer, use very hot water, then begin to sip after a minute.
Longjing
1 tsp (approximately 2-3 grams), 240-250 milliliters water at 80°c.
For a cup of Longjing, allow your tea to infuse a little longer at a lower temperature.
Meanwhile, to make life a little simpler, Tea Plays Bonbons are already proportioned for you.
Just remember: how long you infuse each tea will affect the results, and not all tea-types want the same temperature or brewing time.
Tags: All About Tea, How to?
