The first step to any tea, hot or cold, is to use good water. No matter how high quality your tea is; bad water equals bad tea. The best recommendation is filtered water.
Hot Tea: Use 1 Tbsp (approx. 1 rounded cereal spoon) for each 8 to 10 ounce mug.
- Green or White Tea: use hot but not boiling water, pour over tea and steep 2-3 minutes.
- Black Tea: bring water to boil, pour over tea and steep 3-5 minutes.
- Oolong Tea: use hot but not boiling water, pour over tea and steep 2-4 minutes.
- Red Bush Tea (Rooibos): bring water to boil, pour over tea and steep 3-5 minutes.
- Herbal Teas, Fruit Teas, and Tisanes: bring water to boil, pour over tea and steep 5 minutes or longer to your desired flavor level.
- Note: Good quality green and oolong teas can be brewed several times; try it.
Iced Tea:
For ½ gallon of iced tea use 3 Tbsp of tea, bring 1 quart of water, to a boil remove from heat, and add tea leaves, steep 5-6 minutes. Strain tea, Add ice to make ½ gallon finished tea. Use 4 Tbsp tea leaves in your home iced tea maker.
Sun Tea is not recommended as it provides an environment for harmful microbes to flourish. Water for iced tea should be boiled to destroy these microbes.