Time and temperature guide

Brewing the perfect cup of tea doesn't have to be hard.

The three main factors we have to control are time, temperature, and the tea/water ratio. Time and ratio vary greatly from one brewing method to the next, which is why we break it down by brewing method for your convenience.

You'll notice that clay tea pots are not recommended for unoxidized teas, such as green teas, white teas, and flower tea. These leaves are especially tender, and may turn yellow and produce a bitter liquid when brewed in a clay tea pot.

Below is a guide to these three factors based on type of tea and brewing method. Of course, there are differences from person to person based on preferences for a lighter or darker flavor, and differences between individual teas. Consider this a starting point to becoming a brew master. Try it this way and then adjust to suit your taste buds. After all, the "perfect cup" is the one you like best.

	Clay tea pot	Glass brewing	Gaiwan brewing
Green Tea	Clay tea pots are not recommended for green tea.	Fill the glass 1/10th of the way with leaves and add 80°C/175°F water. Refill with 1/3 water remaining.	Fill the gaiwan 1/5th of the way with leaves. Brew for 45 seconds with 80°C/175°F water. Add 15 seconds for each subsquent brew.
Oolong Tea	Fill the pot 1/3 way with tea (typically a small pot). Brew for 30 seconds with 100°C/212°F water. Add 15 seconds for each subsequent brew.	Fill the glass 1/10 of the way with leaves and add 100°C/212°F water. Refill with 1/3 water remaining.	Fill the gaiwan 1/3rd of the way with leaves. Brew for 30 seconds with 100°C/212°F water. Add 10 seconds for each subsquent brew.
Black Tea	Fill the pot 1/3 way with tea (typically a small pot). Brew for 30 seconds with 90°C/15°F water. Add 15 seconds for each subsequent brew.	Fill the glass 1/10 of the way with leaves and add 90°C/195°F water. Refill with 1/3 water remaining.	Fill the gaiwan 1/3rd of the way with leaves. Brew for 30 seconds with 90°C/195°F water. Add 10 seconds for each subsquent brew.
Flower Tea	Clay tea pots are not recommended for flower tea.	Fill the glass 1/10 of the way with leaves and add 90°C/195°F water. Refill with 1/3 water remaining.	Fill the gaiwan 1/2 of the way with leaves. Brew for 45 seconds with 90°C/195°F water. Add 15 seconds for each subsquent brew.
Pu'er Tea	Fill the pot 1/3 way with tea (typically a small pot). Use 100°C/212°F water to wash the tea, pouring water in and out quickly. Tea should be washed twice, drinking the third brew. The third brew should be 30 seconds. An aged pu'er tea can be brewed 10+ times in this fashion.	Fill the glass 1/10 of the way with leaves and add 100°C/212°F water. Refill with 1/3 water remaining.	Fill the gaiwan 1/3rd of the way with leaves. Use 100°C/212°F water to wash the tea, pouring water in and out quickly. Tea should be washed twice, drinking the third brew. The third brew should be 30 seconds. An aged pu'er tea can be brewed 10+ times in this fashion.
White Tea	Clay tea pots are not recommended for white tea.	Fill the glass 1/10 of the way with leaves and add 80°C/175°F water. Refill with 1/3 water remaining.	Fill the gaiwan 1/5th of the way with leaves. Brew for 45 seconds with 80°C/175°F water. Add 15 seconds for each subsquent brew.

Looking for the healthiest green tea?...	We have some of the best oolong tea...
See our range of some of the best white tea...	Fine loose black teanow available...