Tea Timer

Tea Steeping Chart

-Western Style-

thesocietea.org

Tea

Tea Water Temperature # of Steepings Steeping 1 Steeping 2 Steeping 3
White 160 - 170 F 2-3 2:00 2:30 3:00
Green 170 - 180 F 2-3 2:00 2:30 3:00
Yellow 170 - 180 F 2-3 2:00 2:30 3:00
Oolong 180 - 195 F 3+ 2:00 2:30 3:00
Black 190 - 205 F 1-2 3:00 5:00 n/a
Pu-erh 205 - 210 F 3+ 3:00 4:00 5:00

Tisanes*

Tea Water Temperature # of Steepings Steeping 1 Steeping 2 Steeping 3
Rooibos 200 - 212 F 1-2 4:00 7:00 n/a
Yerba Mate** 200 - 212 F 2-3 3:30 4:30 7:00
Other Herbal 200 - 212 F 1-2 4:00 7:00 n/a
Notes:

In general, most tea follows the rule that you should use 1 heaping tsp. of tea per 8 oz. of water. However, you would want to use more if the tea is particularly leafy and takes up more volume.

* Tisanes, or herbal teas, are much less strict than normal teas with regard to water temperatures and steeping times, so feel free to experiment and see what times and temperatures work for you.

** These recommendations for Yerba Mate are for brewing in a teapot like any other tea and not serving it via the traditional South American gourd/bombilla method.