Brewing and Steeping: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Brewing and steeping are both part-and-parcel of the same process. Brewing is the act of making tea, while steeping is the process involved. Brewing the perfect cup of tea requires carefully steeping loose tea leaves or tea bags in fresh water that's heated correctly. Various types of teas steep within different times, and understanding this may make the difference between drinking a bland cup of tea and enjoying a great cup of tea.
Brewing the Perfect Cup: Evidence-Based Guidelines
Brewing a superb cup of tea relies on three main components: fresh tea leaves, high-quality water, and correct steeping times. The rule of thumb for brewing one cup of tea consists of one tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea for each six to eight ounces of clean hot water. The exceptions are delicate herbal, white, yellow, and oolong teas, which usually require 2 teaspoons of tea. Use fresh, spring, or filtered water, and heat it to a rolling boil. If you choose a delicate leaf tea, such as white or green tea, pour the water just before boiling begins to avoid over-processing the leaves.
Clinical research confirms that water temperature and steeping time significantly affect the extraction of beneficial polyphenols and antioxidants from tea leaves (Chacko et al., 2010).
The Art and Science of Steeping
Steeping can make or break a cup of tea, and for those who love tea, steeping is an art form in itself. Steeping begins when heated water is poured over the tea bag, infuser, tea strainer, or in the teapot. The goal of steeping is to infuse the water with the tea. Over-steeping may cause bitterness, so it's important to experiment with different types of teas, bags or loose leaf teas, and the appropriate steeping times for each.
Scientific studies show that over-steeping can increase the release of caffeine and tannins, leading to a more bitter taste and, in some cases, higher levels of certain metals (Astill et al., 2001).
Steeping to Perfection: Time and Temperature
Heartier teas, such as black, red, herb, and oolong, can be steeped in water that has fully boiled without risk of over-processing. White and green teas are more delicate and should be steeped in water that is heated to just below the boiling point.
- Black tea bags and loose-leaf: up to 5 minutes
- Oolong tea bags: up to 5 minutes; loose leaf: up to 7 minutes
- Red and herbal teas (bags or loose leaf): up to 7 minutes
- White tea bags: up to 1 minute; loose leaf: up to 3 minutes
- Green tea bags: up to 3 minutes; loose leaf: up to 4 minutes
| Tea Type | Temperature | Duration | Key Nutrients |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 175°F (80°C) | 2-3 mins | EGCG, L-theanine |
| Black | 200°F (93°C) | 4-5 mins | Theaflavins, Thearubigins |
| Oolong | 195°F (90°C) | 5-7 mins | Polyphenols, Caffeine |
| White | 175°F (80°C) | 1-3 mins | Polyphenols, Catechins |
Loose Leaf Tea or Tea Bags?
Experts and tea enthusiasts suggest loose leaf tea is superior to tea bags in freshness and quality, and also offers more bang for your buck. Steeped loose tea leaves provide better taste and aroma, while also extending further for more cups than the humble tea bag. Of course, personal preference overrides all rules and suggestions.
Research supports that loose leaf teas often retain more antioxidants and essential oils, as they undergo less processing than bagged teas (Kumar et al., 2019).