Follow these steps for a perfect cup of tea.

Brewing Black or Oolong Teas:

1. Preheat the teapot by swirling a little bit of boiling water in the bottom of the pot. Discard the water

1. Add one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup, plus one teaspoon for the pot in the bottom of the teapot or filter. More or less is dependant upon personal taste.

1. Bring fresh, cold water to rolling boil and pour it over the tea leaves.

1. Infuse tea for 3-5 minutes. Bitter or harsh tasting tea is usually due to over steeping.

1. If using a filter, remove the filter. If you are not using a tea filter, then use a strainer placed over your cup prior to pouring in order to keep the brewed tea leaves from going into your cup.

Brewing Green Teas:

Brewing times and water temperature are the key factors for a perfectly brewed cup of green tea. Because there are varying kinds, commonly the Chinese & Japanese green teas, brewing times and water temperature will also vary.

1. Preheat the teapot by swirling a little bit of boiling water in the bottom of the pot. Discard the water.

1. Add one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup, plus one teaspoon for the pot in the bottom of the teapot or filter. More or less is dependant upon personal taste.

1. Never pour boiling water onto green tea; allow the water to cool to temperatures of 160*-185*F for most Chinese teas and 125*-155*F for Japanese teas.

1. Infuse the Chinese teas for 3-4 minutes and Japanese teas for 1-2 minutes.

1. Always remove all tea leaves from the water; brewing green tea beyond this steeping variance produces bitter brews.

1. Green tea leaves are ideal for multiple infusions.

Brewing Iced Tea from loose tea leaves

Iced tea is the number one way tea is enjoyed in the United States. Brewing great iced tea from loose tea leaves is simple when you follow these instructions.

1. Determine the amount of iced tea that you will be making; for our example we will use a two quart (64oz) pitcher.

2. Fill the pitcher three-quarters of the way with ice.

3. Use a brewing pot that is a little more than half the size of the pitcher to make the tea concentrate. We use a 47oz brewing pot for our 64oz pitcher. It is necessary to concentrate the tea because we will be straining the tea into the pitcher with ice to dilute it and cool it quickly.

4. Use one level teaspoon of tea for every 8oz cup of the finished iced tea.  We use 9 teaspoons in the brewing pot follow the same brewing times listed above for the type of tea being brewed.

5. Strain the tea into the pitcher with the ice to dilute.

General Brewing Guidelines:  

•    Black tea: 3-5 minutes
•    Green tea: 2-3 minutes
•    White tea: 2-3 minutes
•    Oolong tea: 2-5 minutes
•    Fruit and Herb Blends: 5-7 minutes