Master the Art of Infusing Perfect Tea: Expert Tips You Need to Know

Tea is more than just a drink; it’s a time-honoured ritual that brings comfort, connection, and calm to our daily lives. Whether you're pouring from a teapot to share with loved ones or savouring a quiet moment with a single teacup, tea creates a space for mindfulness and relaxation. Over the years, as we've dedicated ourselves to the art and business of tea, we’ve learned a few essential tips that can elevate your tea experience, no matter the occasion. From choosing the right blend to mastering the perfect infusion, we’re here to share our insights. Whether you’re making tea for one or hosting a gathering for a hundred, here are our tried-and-true suggestions for crafting the perfect cup every time.

Let’s dive into the details that will help you savour every sip!

Use Good, Fresh, Un-boiled Water

Tea is a delicate beverage, and using high-quality filtered water is essential for the best flavor. Rainwater is ideal, but a good water filter can help eliminate any impurities found in tap water, ensuring a cleaner, more refined brew.

Temperature Control

Each of our tea packages includes a recommended water temperature to ensure the best infusion. Not all teas require boiling water at 100°C - some achieve their full flavour with a lower temperature.

Here’s a quick tip for gauging water temperature at a glance: For green and white teas, you don’t want the water to fully boil. Keep an eye on the kettle, and as soon as the water starts to roll toward a boil, turn it off—that’s the perfect temperature for these delicate teas. On the other hand, black teas and darker oolongs are fine with water at a full 100°C boil.

For the perfect steep, be sure to check the packaging for our suggested brewing guidelines.

Boil Once

When water is repeatedly boiled or left to sit in the kettle, it gradually loses oxygen, which is a key element in drawing out the vibrant flavours of tea. This loss of oxygen can result in a flat, less flavourful, and tinny tasting cup. For a truly exceptional brew, always use fresh water and heat it to the recommended temperature for your tea. By doing this, you’ll ensure that your tea leaves infuse properly, releasing their full range of delicate aromas and flavours. Trust us—you’ll taste the difference with every pour!

Infusers are the saving grace

If you're a true tea purist who enjoys brewing with loose tea leaves, an infuser is an essential tool. It allows you to control the infusion process, ensuring you get the best flavour out of your leaves every time. Infusers (not to be confused with diffusers!) come in various shapes and sizes, so it's easy to find one that suits your preferred tea blends. If your teapot doesn't have a built-in infuser, explore our collection to find the perfect fit for your teapot and enhance your tea experience.

Scald the Pot

Once you’ve removed the kettle from the heat, pour a small amount of hot water into your empty teacup or teapot. This step ‘scalds’ the vessel, warming it up for the perfect brew. Discard the water, and then add your tea. The result? It’s truly a warm hug in a mug!

One for One

Our teas are of the finest quality with full bodied, smooth flavours so you don’t need to use much to get that great tea flavour. Our guideline is: 1 flat teaspoon for a cup/mug; 1 heaped teaspoon for a 2-3 cup teapot; and 2 teaspoons for a 4-6 cup teapot. (But it doesn't have to be yours..) Remember not to skip the next step (Tick Tock) to perfect your brew.

Tick Tock

The beauty of tea is the time it takes to infuse. We recommend different infusion times for different teas and each tea will have the desired brew time on the package, but as a quick guide, usually 2-3 minutes for green & white teas, 3-5 minutes for black & oolong teas and up to 10 minutes for herbal & fruit melanges. We feel these times are best spent applying a liberal load of butter to some freshly baked scones!

Drink me or Pour Me Out