Brewing Guide
How to brew loose leaf tea
Good loose leaf tea does not need complicated equipment. Start with fresh water, measure the leaves, keep an eye on temperature and give the tea enough room to open. Small changes in water temperature and steep time can make the same tea taste bright, soft, bold or bitter.
This guide gives you a simple starting point for every Citizen Tea style. Adjust from there to suit your cup.
Quick brewing chart
| Tea type | Water temperature | Steep time | Measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black tea | 95-100C | 3-5 minutes | 1 tsp per cup |
| Green tea | 75-85C | 2-3 minutes | 1 tsp per cup |
| White tea | 75-85C | 3-5 minutes | 1-2 tsp per cup |
| Oolong tea | 85-95C | 3-4 minutes | 1 tsp per cup |
| Rooibos | 95-100C | 5-7 minutes | 1 tsp per cup |
| Herbal & fruit | 95-100C | 5-7 minutes | 1-2 tsp per cup |
| Matcha | 75-80C | Whisk, do not steep | 1/2-1 tsp per cup |
Black tea
Black tea likes hotter water and a little more time. Brew loose leaf black tea for 3-5 minutes, depending on how bold you like it. English Breakfast can handle milk; Earl Grey is best kept smooth and fragrant by avoiding a very long steep.
Green tea and matcha
Green tea tastes best with cooler water. If it turns sharp or bitter, the water was probably too hot or the steep was too long. Brew green tea for 2-3 minutes and let freshly boiled water cool for a moment before pouring. For matcha, sift the powder if you can, add a small amount of warm water, then whisk until smooth.
White tea
White tea is delicate and often low in caffeine. Use cooler water and give the leaves time to open. Many white teas, especially pearl and whole-leaf styles, can be re-steeped for a second cup.
Oolong tea
Oolong tea rewards patience. A good loose leaf oolong can change across multiple infusions, moving from floral and creamy to deeper and more rounded. Start with 3-4 minutes and re-steep if the leaves still have aroma.
Rooibos, herbal and fruit tea
Rooibos, herbal and fruit infusions are usually forgiving. Use boiling water and steep for 5-7 minutes for a fuller cup. Browse rooibos tea or herbal and fruit tea if you prefer caffeine-free options.
How to make iced tea
Brew the tea a little stronger than usual, then pour it over ice. Fruit tea, rooibos, coconut green tea and jasmine green tea all work well cold. For a softer result, cold steep tea in the fridge for several hours using cool water and a little extra leaf.
Small details that improve every cup
- Use fresh water rather than re-boiled water.
- Give loose leaves room to expand in an infuser, pot or strainer.
- Use cooler water for green and white tea.
- Shorten the steep if the cup tastes bitter.
- Add more leaf, rather than more time, when you want a stronger cup.
Ready to choose your next cup? Browse all loose leaf teas or start with our best sellers.
