Tea Leaves to Water Ratio & Steeping Guide Chart

General guidelines for loose leaf tea to water ratios and steeping parameters. These are starting points; adjust to your preference and the specific tea.

Type of Tea	Tea per 8 fl oz (240ml) Water (approx.)	Water Temperature (approx.)	Steeping Time (approx.)
Black Tea (e.g., Assam, Ceylon, English Breakfast)	1 tsp or 2-3g	200-212°F (93-100°C) (Boiling)	3-5 minutes
Green Tea (e.g., Sencha, Dragon Well)	1-1.5 tsp or 2-3g	160-180°F (71-82°C) (Water cooled after boiling)	1-3 minutes (can become bitter if oversteeped)
White Tea (e.g., Silver Needle, White Peony)	1.5-2 tsp or 2-3g (often bulkier)	170-185°F (77-85°C)	2-5 minutes (delicate)
Oolong Tea	1-2 tsp or 2-4g	185-205°F (85-96°C) (Varies by oolong type)	2-5 minutes (can often be re-steeped)
Pu-erh Tea	1 tsp or 3-4g (often in cakes/chunks)	205-212°F (96-100°C) (Full boil)	Brief rinse, then 2-5 minutes (can be re-steeped multiple times)
Herbal Infusions (Tisanes - e.g., Chamomile, Peppermint, Rooibos)	1-2 tsp or 2-4g	208-212°F (98-100°C) (Boiling)	5-7 minutes (or longer for some roots/barks)

Important Considerations for Tea Brewing:

**Volume vs. Weight:** Tea leaves vary greatly in size and density (e.g., fluffy white tea vs. tightly rolled oolong). Measuring by **weight (grams)** is more accurate for loose leaf tea. 1 US teaspoon of tea can weigh anywhere from 1g (for very light, fluffy teas) to 4g+ (for dense, rolled teas).
**Water Quality:** Good quality water makes better tea. Filtered water is often recommended.
**Pre-warming:** Pre-warming your teapot or mug can help maintain the correct brewing temperature.
**Multiple Infusions:** Many high-quality loose leaf teas (especially oolongs, pu-erhs, some greens and whites) can be steeped multiple times, with each infusion revealing different nuances. Adjust steep time for subsequent infusions (often slightly longer).
**Personal Taste:** These are guidelines. Experiment to find what you enjoy most!
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