Step 1: Select Your Tea Type
The first step in any tea preparation is choosing your tea base. Here are the main players and what they bring to the table:
- Black Tea – Strong, bold, and perfect with milk or a slice of lemon. Great for morning energy.
- Green Tea – Light, grassy, and refreshing. Best enjoyed without milk.
- White Tea – Delicate and subtle. Minimal processing, maximum elegance.
- Herbal Tea – Naturally caffeine-free, often floral, fruity or earthy. Think chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos.
Each type of tea has its own ideal brew method — so don’t skip the next step.
Step 2: Measure Your Ingredients
To make a great cup of tea, you’ll need:
- 1 teaspoon (roughly 2 grams) of loose-leaf tea per 250ml cup, or
- 1 tea bag for one standard cup
Tip: If you're using a teapot, scale it up — 1 teaspoon per person, plus one for the pot.
Using a mug? Standard Aussie mugs hold about 300ml — feel free to round up the tea if you like it strong.
Step 3: Heat the Water — But Not Too Hot
Getting the water temperature right is one of the most underrated steps for making tea. Here's your water heating cheat sheet:
| Tea Type | Water Temp | Brewing Note |
|---|---|---|
| Black Tea | 90–98°C | Use freshly boiled water |
| Green Tea | 80–85°C | Let boiled water sit for 30–60 secs first |
| White Tea | 75–80°C | Delicate – don’t scorch the leaves |
| Herbal Tea | 98°C | A full boil brings out the best flavours |
Don’t reboil water — it loses oxygen, which can leave your tea tasting flat and lifeless. Always start with cold, fresh tap water.
And yes, if you’ve ever thought about how to cook tea, this is the part where you’re technically “cooking” those leaves with precision.
Step 4: Brew Time – Let It Steep
This is where the magic happens. Steeping extracts all the goodness from the leaves. Here's how long to let it brew:
| Tea Type | Brew Time |
|---|---|
| Black Tea | 3–5 minutes |
| Green Tea | 2–3 minutes |
| White Tea | 2–4 minutes |
| Herbal Tea | 5–7 minutes |
The longer you steep, the stronger the flavour — but overdo it, and you risk bitterness (especially with green or black teas). Taste as you go to find your sweet spot.
Step 5: Strain, Sip, and Savour
Once steeped, remove the tea bag or strain out the loose leaves. This is your moment to personalise:
- Add milk (for black teas)
- A slice of lemon (never with milk)
- Honey or sugar if you like it sweet
- Or just enjoy it pure and unadorned
No matter how you serve it, brewing tea should be as enjoyable as drinking it. It’s your daily dose of calm in a cup.
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