The Perfect Cup of Tea

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Photo: Burcu Avsar

Sebastian Beckwith, cofounder of In Pursuit of Tea, explains how best to brew your leaves.

Ingredients

  • 4 grams tea leaves (1 to 3 rounded tablespoons, depending on density of leaves)

Directions

  1. Fill an electric or stovetop kettle with water, ideally filtered.

  2. Heat water (see Cook's Note for temperature recommendations).

  3. Pour 1/2 cup hot water into a 10-to-12-ounce teapot and swish to warm pot up, about 5 seconds; discard water.

  4. Spoon tea leaves directly into teapot or into a basket strainer inside pot.

  5. Fill teapot with hot water and let steep (see Cook's Note for brewing times).

  6. When tea is ready, decant it or remove basket strainer to stop the steeping.

Cook's Notes

Heat & Steep

All times are for 12 ounces of water with 4 grams of leaves.

Black
205 degrees (just off a boil), 3 minutes

Green
180 degrees (when you see steam), 2 minutes

Tisane
205 degrees (just off a boil), 3 to 4 minutes

White
180 degrees (when you see steam), 2 minutes

Pu-erh
205 degrees (just off a boil), 3 minutes

Oolong
190 degrees to 205 degrees (just off a boil), 2 minutes

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