How to steep loose leaf tea

Step 1: Heat the water

Start by heating your water to the suggested temperature based on the tea type.

With a digital kettle

• Select the temperature
• Press start
• Wait for the kettle to beep or stop

With a basic kettle or pot

Use the Boil and Rest Method:

• Bring water to a full boil
• Remove from heat
• Let it sit and cool naturally

Approximate cooling times (covered kettle, room temperature):

• 205–212°F (96–100°C) – immediately after boiling
  Black tea, herbal
• 195–200°F (90–93°C) – wait 1 minute
  Oolong, darker green teas
• 175–185°F (80–85°C) – wait 2–3 minutes
  Most green teas
• 160–170°F (70–75°C) – wait 4–5 minutes
  Delicate green and white teas

Notes:

• Never put tea leaves into water while it’s boiling.
• Boiling tea leaves directly can scorch them and create bitterness.
• For the best taste, use filtered or spring water when available.

Step 2: Measure your tea

Start with 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per 8 oz cup of water.

Notes:

• For stronger tea, increase the amount of leaf rather than the steep time
• This keeps the flavor smoother and more balanced

Step 3: Steep your tea

Use any timer and follow the steep time suggested for the tea type.

General suggested times:

• Green tea: 2–3 minutes
• Oolong: 3–5 minutes
• Black tea: 3–5 minutes
• Herbal: 5–7+ minutes

Notes:

• Small adjustments make a big difference

Step 4: Remove the leaves

Remove the infuser or strain the tea once the time is up. Leaving leaves in the water continues extraction.

Notes:

• Over-extraction can lead to bitterness or dryness

Adjust to your taste

• Too light → use slightly more leaf next time
• Too strong or bitter → shorten steep time or lower temperature
• Perfect → repeat your method and enjoy your ritual

Re-Steeping tea leaves

Hummingleaf teas are resteepable, often 2–3 times, because high-quality whole leaves naturally evolve with each steep.

With each re-steep:

• Increase steep time slightly
• Adjust based on your personal preference
• Notice how the flavor shifts with each cup
  

If the tea turns overly bitter or dry, this simply means the steep went past your personal sweet spot.

And that’s part of the ritual:
Learning your leaf.
Learning your time.
Making each cup your own.