I’m so excited to hear that some of you are now inspired to try loose-leaf tea!
I used to think that I hated black teas and wasn’t a fan of green, until I realized that I was brewing it wrong! Through Maleah from Cha Cha Tea and my own research, I have figured out some tricks that made a HUGE difference, and now I enjoy the taste of a much wider variety of teas.
These instructions and tips should work for all loose-leaf teas, and most bagged teas…but always check the instructions on the packaging first.
General Tea-Brewing Tips
- NEVER squeeze the tea leaves/bag over the mug at the end of brewing. It will release all the tannins, which will give the tea a bitter, stringent taste…yuck!
- Use water of the appropriate temperature. Some teas need to be brewed at a cooler temperature than others…regardless of what you might think, it is possible to burn tea!
- Do not steep the tea for too long. Like squeezing the leaves, this will also pull out the tannins.
- As a general rule, 1 tsp. of tea is appropriate for 8 oz of water. If you want to make your tea stronger, use more tea leaves rather than steeping it for longer.
- Always put the leaves in the tea pot or teabag in the mug before pouring the hot water over it… you need that agitation for the tea to brew properly!
- Always use fresh water for the best-tasting cup of tea.
Brewing Different Types of Tea
- The water used for brewing black and Rooibos teas should be boiling, or 212F.
- Oolong teas should be brewed around 200F. You can either let boiling water cool for a few minutes before steeping the tea, or watch the water as it heats; when there are small bubbles rising from the bottom of the pot to the surface of the water, the water is about 190-200F!
- Green and white teas should be brewed around 180F. Again, you can either let boiling water cool before using it, or use the Chinese hot water method. When there are small bubbles on the top and sides of the pot, the water is about 180F.
- Green tea only needs to be steeped for 1-3 minutes.
- White and Oolong teas should be steeped for 3-4 minutes.
- Black and Rooibos teas should be steeped for 4-5 minutes.
Hope these tips help you in your quest for the perfect cup(s) of tea!
Next up on Tea Week: Strawberry Oolong Pancakes and How to Cold-Brew Tea!
Smart Fitness
Today’s Push-Ups Challenge Tip:
Mix it up! If you’re getting bored with the push-ups routine, switch out some of the exercises for something else. Try doing Triceps Dips instead of Triceps Push-Ups, or Wide-Armed Push-Ups instead of Diamond Push-Ups for some variety.
How is the challenge going for you? I think I’m going to throw a full-body weights session in with my push-ups today… the impending thunderstorm kind o f killed my cycling plans!
Smart Life
Are you going to the Healthy Living Summit in August? Heather and I are speaking on a panel that will be moderated by Anne…and they are looking for more panelists! If you are going to HLS and want to be on the panel with us, you can apply here!
I can’t believe I’m getting married in 9 days, and moving to New York in 10! Needless to say, posts for the next week will be like this one–short and sweet!
I didn’t know that tip about not squeezing the tea bags… totally guilty of that.
Can’t believe you’re getting married so soon! I can’t wait to hear all the deets and see some photos. The only thing better than a race recap is a WEDDING recap!
Thanks for all of the tea tips!! I needed them! I can’t believe you are getting married so soon too! Take some time off when you need to, girl. Real life is always more important than blogging!
I wish that I was going to HLS! I have a relay race with the hubs that I already signed up for! Have fun!
Bummer, I wish you were coming! But you’ll have fun at the relay– running, I assume?
Why, yes. 4 intervals of 4-7 miles for me over 2 days with no sleep. It shouldn’t be that bad. I’m doing it with a bunch of people that I don’t know yet from Steve’s new assignment in Spokane and the hubs. I’m sure it will be a bonding experience for all of us.
Oooh, I definitely did not know about not squeezing tea bags! I have done that for the last time!! Thanks for the tips!
Hey great info on tea here. Thanks so much!
Fabulous info Julie!
I almost never steep my tea for the suggested time, it always seems too bitter to me. But I definitely squeeze the teabag at the end so maybe that is really my problem. I’ll have to try out your tips
My 25 days of pushups somehow got folded into my Women’s Health Strength Training program. Even on the days the workout doesn’t require pushups I still try and squeeze at least a few in!
Congrats on the marriage AND the move! Exciting times awaits you!!!
My favorite favorite favorite push-ups are dive bombers! Since doing them for about 4 months now, I’ve gone from being able to do 2 (half-assing them) to doing 18 correctly, without knees (thank you very much!). Definitely stepped up the fitness and strength there. Love the Push-Up challenge!
I don’t think I’m familiar with dive bombers…what are they?
http://www.trainforstrength.com/ex-1.shtml
That’s a pretty good description/illustration of what they are. They’re pretty hard (or were for me) at first. P90X has a dvd with them included. I like them though… they work a little bit of everything!
Wow, those look TOUGH. I need to try these!!
Girl, I am SO glad you shared these tea tips! I was clueless before, seriously. And I’ll be at HLS so see you there
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Such good info! I love tea, but just brew them all the same. haha I really want to start using different herbs and combos so this will come in handy.
Congrats on the wedding!!
I didn’t know that you were speaking on the panel….that’s awesome!! I already told Anne that I’d be sitting front row, and now I have one more reason to
Hooray!!
Thanks for the tea tips!
You have so many great things coming up!! Yay
First, I want that tea pot. 2nd, I’m going to HLS!!! 3rd, I would love to be on a panel! 4th – married in 9 days?? CONGRATS!!! Exciting stuff…I’m going on 2yrs w/my huz!!! =)
I’m working on getting the tea pot into my shop, actually.
You should definitely apply for the panel!