Brewing the perfect Cup of Herbal Tea
Brewing the perfect cup of tea every time is no easy feat. Whether it’s too strong, not strong enough, tastes bitter or doesn’t taste like much at all, there are many ways to go wrong when you’re steeping loose-leaf tea. Luckily, there are five simple tips you can follow to help you brew the perfect cup of herbal tea!
#1: Measurement
When using loose-leaf tea, it can be difficult to recognize the ratio of tea-to-water that you should be using. To make it simple, you want to use 1-2 teaspoons of premium loose-leaf tea for every 6-8 ounces of water. That means that if your teapot or kettle holds 24 ounces of water, you want to use somewhere around 5 teaspoons of loose-leaf tea. When you place your first order with Dollar Tea Club, you’ll receive a handy spoon with your purchase to help you easily measure your loose-leaf herbal tea!
#2: Brew Method
Once you’ve measured out the amount of tea you’re going to brew, you need to decide how you’re going to brew it! A simple method is to be your go-to method for brewing your favorite Dollar Tea Club teas when you’re on the go! Intended for one-time use, tea filters make it easy to take your tea everywhere you go. Just scoop your tea into the filter, place it in your mug or to-go cup, and add hot water.
Another easy (and fun) way to brew your herbal tea is to use a tea infuser! A tea infuser is a reusable tea filter, making it environmentally friendly and ideal for home usage. Tea infusers come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from super simple metal designs to mana-teas! All you have to do is scoop your desired amount of premium loose-leaf into the infuser, place it in your mug or travel cup, and add hot water.
If you’re making a batch of tea larger than a single-serving, you can still use tea bags and tea infusers to brew your loose-leaf tea. However, another great idea is to use a French press! If you already have one at home, it eliminates the need for tea filters and infusers and allows you to make a large batch of delicious herbal tea.
#3: Steeping
The next step in brewing your perfect cut of herbal tea is determining the amount of time for which it needs to be steeped. Now, this step is critical in creating a great tasting tea. Why? Because steeping your tea for too long can create bitterness, whereas not steeping long enough will leave your tea wanting for more flavor. For an ideal flavor, herbal tea should be steeped for 4-6 minutes at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius (or 212 degrees Fahrenheit). After about 5 minutes, your tea will be finished steeping and you can remove your tea filter or infuser, then enjoy your cup of tea!
#4: Add-ins
This step is 100% optional, but you may want to add some more flavor to your tea once it’s finished brewing. Almost any tea, but especially herbal tea, tastes great if you add fresh lemon juice. It gives it a nice citrusy flavor and adds a fresh kick to your cup of tea!
You can also add honey or agave nectar if you’re looking for more sweetness without adding any processed sugars (such as white sugar). If you’ve got a nasty cold or cough that simply won’t go away, honey will help along with your tea thanks to its antibacterial and soothing properties.
A classic addition to most teas is milk, and you can put a twist on it by using almond or coconut milk for a sweeter flavor. Milk isn’t for everyone, but it can lend your herbal tea a creamier, more latte-esque flavor.
#5: Enjoy!
Voila! You’re all finished brewing the perfect cup of herbal tea and now it’s time to enjoy it. For the perfect cup of tea every time, simply remember to measure, pick a brewing method, and steep for the appropriate amount of time, and you’ll be sipping on a delicious cup of tea in minutes! Be sure to check out Dollar Tea Club’s selection of premium loose-leaf herbal teas to incorporate into your tea rotation!