How To Brew Tea

The Process
1) Cover the tea leaves or tea bag with hot water.
2) Allow the water to flow evenly around the leaves.
3) Adjust the amount of tea to your taste. Generally, 1-2 teaspoons of tea leaves or on tea bag for each 6 ounces of water.
4) Also adjust the steeping process to your own taste. The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor.

Water Temperature
The temperature of the water is important. Water should usually be boiling for black tea, dark oolong tea and fruit teas and below boiling (or at 180 degrees Fahrenheit) for most green tea, light oolong and white tea. Steeping time refers to how long the tea leaves sit in the water. On average it is 5-7 minutes for the darker teas, 5 minutes for most fruit teas and 3 minutes for the green teas. If unsure of how long to steep start use these guidelines start at the shorter time and gradually increase each time until you have the desired strength.

The Tea
Although there are hundreds of teas available, perhaps a little overwhelming when you first start out, there are three main types. The three main categories of tea are fermented or black teas, unfermented or green teas, and semi fermented teas. Herbal tea is not included in these three main types. Herbal teas are not actually brewed from leaves of a tea plant but from parts of plants other than tea plant. Hundreds of varieties of tea plants can be found growing in all parts of the world. Each tea plant has it's own distinct flavor and most teas that you buy are a blend of more than one plant. Black teas are the most common tea drunk with green teas rapidly gaining popularity. Semi fermented teas, oolong or pouchong, from a variety of a China plant, have an almost smoky taste..

Storage
The rules for storing tea are simple. You want to avoid exposing tea to extreme heat or cold, light, moisture and air. Store tea in an airtight non-plastic container. Tea will readily absorb a plastic flavor. Do not place your tea near your spices or scented candles as it will absorb those flavors and odors as well. Keep it separate from other foods and at room temperature away from heat. A darkened container is best as it will prevent your tea being exposed to light.