Storage, Steeping & Water
Storage
Storing tea properly is essential in maintaining the integrity of the leaf. With proper storage, a fresh cup of tea can be enjoyed many months, if not years, after it has been produced. Tea needs to be protected from light and moisture, which will rob your tea leaves of their fresh flavor and aroma. Using a well-sealed, odorless container, such as the storage containers we sell, will help maintain the quality and integrity of the tea leaf. Also, try to keep your container in a cool, dry place that is out of direct sunlight, this will also ahelp maintain your tea leaves for years to come.
To view our available airtight tea storage containers, please visit our Tea Accessories section.
Steeping tea is a matter of personal preference. Water, time, and temperature are all important factors in steeping a cup of tea, but each factor can be varied to suit your personal likes, wants and needs. Are you in the mood for a dark malty brew that’s a little brisker than usual? Then try steeping it a little longer. Need a smoother, slightly less astringent cup of tea? Perhaps you should lower the temperature or decrease the time you steep it. You might discover that if you let your tea kettle sit for a minute and a half after the whistle blows before pouring, you make the perfect cup of black tea for yourself. Just keep in mind the type of tea and the size of the leaf will determine the temperature of the water and the time it‘s steeped. Below is a table with general guidelines to help you find your perfect cup of tea. However, we invite you to experiment with our recommendations to find the right way of steeping the perfect cup of tea for you based upon your own likes. Remember, finding the perfect cup of tea takes time and is a journey of self discovery well worth the reward.
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Tea
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Temperature
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Time
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White
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180°F - 190°F
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2 - 6 Minutes
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Chinese Green
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170°F - 180°F
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3 Minutes
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Japanese Green
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160°F - 175°F
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1 - 2 Minutes
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Oolong
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185°F - 195°F
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2-5 Minutes
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Black
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205°F - 210°F
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3-5 Minutes
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Darjeeling
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190°F - 195°F
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3 Minutes
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Pu ‘erh
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190°F - 215°F
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3 - 5 Minutes
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Water
Water is an extremely important part of your cup of tea as it is the base for which your tea is steeping in. Therefore, starting with a quality cup of water will help ensure a quality cup of tea. The best water for tea is natural spring water. Free from chemicals and full of natural minerals, spring water will allow you to taste the true essence of the tea leaves. Unfiltered tap water should be avoided if possible, since chemical treatments will leave unwelcome odors and flavors which can ruin perfectly processed tea leaves. Home filters and purification systems will help eliminate most, if not all of these unwelcome additives.
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