01 /
White tea
Delicate · floral · soft
- Water temp
- 160–175°F
- Steep time
- 2–3 min
The insider tip: Soft, filtered water lets those delicate floral notes shine.
The tea spectrum
How to brew
like a pro.
Eight tea personalities. One better cup.
Find your perfect steepTea spectrum8 teas / 1 wheel
01 / Find your type
Your tea.
Your perfect steep.
Eight personalities. Zero guesswork. Here’s how to bring out the best in yours.
Showing 8 tea types, temperatures in Fahrenheit.
02 /
Green tea
Fresh · grassy · bright
- Water temp
- 170–185°F
- Steep time
- 1–2 min
The insider tip: Keep it short and sweet. A shorter steep helps avoid bitterness.
03 /
Yellow tea
Mellow · gentle · golden
- Water temp
- 170–180°F
- Steep time
- 2–3 min
The insider tip: A gentle tea deserves gentle water. Skip the rolling boil.
04 /
Oolong tea
Layered · fragrant · evolving
- Water temp
- 185–205°F
- Steep time
- 3–5 min
The insider tip: One leaf, many stories. Re-steep and notice how the flavors evolve.
05 /
Black tea
Bold · malty · full-bodied
- Water temp
- 200–212°F
- Steep time
- 3–4 min
The insider tip: Want a bolder cup? Add more leaves, not more steeping time.
06 /
Pu-erh tea
Earthy · fermented · rich
- Water temp
- 200–212°F
- Steep time
- 3–5 min
The insider tip: Give the leaves a quick rinse first. Enjoy them over multiple infusions.
07 /
Matcha
Vibrant · creamy · umami
- Water temp
- 175°F
- Don't steep
- Whisk
Whisk ½–1 tsp in 2 oz (60 ml) of hot water until frothy. Add more water or milk to taste.
The insider tip: Sift before whisking for a silky, clump-free cup.
08 /
Herbal / tisane
Botanical · aromatic · comforting
- Water temp
- 208–212°F
- Steep time
- 5–7 min
The insider tip: Pop a lid on your cup while steeping to keep those lovely aromatics in.
Think of these as starting points, not strict rules. Leaf size, tea variety, and your taste all play a part. Follow the instructions on your tea’s packaging when available. Cup colors are illustrative; your brew’s color may vary.
02 / The ritual essentials
What you need
to partea…
Less fancy equipment. More good habits.
01
Water with standards.
Fresh, filtered water. Let the leaves do the talking, not whatever’s coming out of your tap.
02
Room to do its thing.
A roomy infuser lets your leaves unfurl. More space for them. More flavor for you.
03
The right kind of hot.
Not every tea wants a rolling boil. Find your tea’s temperature above and keep the drama out of your cup.
04
A minute for yourself.
Set a timer. Put your phone down. Remove the leaves when it’s ready. This little ritual is all yours.
03 / The finer details
Good
questions.
Better cups start with a little curiosity.
How much loose-leaf tea should I use?
For a simple mug-style brew, start with about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per 8 oz (240 ml) of water. Fluffy, large leaves may need more. This is a general starting point: the directions on your tea’s packaging are your best guide. Matcha is different—use the amount in its brewing card above.
Why does my tea taste bitter?
Usually, the water is too hot or the leaves steeped too long. Try a lower temperature or a shorter steep, especially with green and white teas. Want a stronger cup? Add more leaves rather than more time.
Can I steep the same leaves more than once?
Absolutely. Oolong and pu-erh are especially lovely for multiple infusions, and many white and green teas can be re-steeped too. Notice how the flavor changes, and adjust each infusion to your taste. Re-steep during the same tea session rather than saving wet leaves for another day.
What if I don’t have a temperature-control kettle?
A kitchen thermometer is a simple way to check your water. Without one, let freshly boiled water cool before pouring over delicate leaves. Cooling time varies with the kettle, water volume, and room temperature, so treat it as an experiment rather than an exact recipe.
Good taste. Great company.
Make this
a monthly thing.
A new country. A new tea. A new obsession.
Your next favorite ritual is out there.