How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea from a Gift Pack

Quick answer

For the best flavor from your T2 loose leaf tea gift pack, use the right water temperature (175°F for greens, 200-212°F for blacks/herbals) and steep for the recommended time—usually 2-3 minutes.

Step-by-step brewing instructions

1. Boil fresh, filtered water: Start with cold, filtered water and bring it to a boil. For green teas, let it cool for about 1 minute after boiling to reach around 175°F (80°C). For black or herbal teas from your gift pack, use the water right off the boil. Overheating green tea is the most common mistake—it makes the tea bitter.
2. Measure the tea leaves: Use about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8 oz (240 ml) cup. If your gift pack tin has a scoop, use one level scoop per cup. For the Leafy Greens gift pack, the mini tins make it easy to pour a small amount. Too many leaves can overwhelm the flavor and make the tea too strong.
3. Pour water over the leaves: Place the leaves in a cup, mug, or teapot. Pour the hot water directly over them, ensuring all leaves are submerged. For green teas, a slower pour helps avoid scalding the delicate leaves. Don't pour the water onto the leaves from a great height—it can bruise the leaves.
4. Steep for the right time: Steep green teas for 2-3 minutes. Black and herbal teas can go 3-5 minutes. Use a timer—guesswork leads to bitterness or weak tea. Set a timer so you don't forget—over-steeping ruins the flavor.
5. Remove the leaves: Once steeped, remove the leaves immediately using a strainer or by lifting the infuser basket. Don't leave them in the water or the tea will continue to brew and become bitter. If you're using a cup without a strainer, pour the tea through a fine-mesh strainer into another cup.
6. Serve and enjoy: Pour the brewed tea into your cup and sip it plain or with a touch of honey or lemon, depending on the tea. Green teas from the gift pack are best enjoyed without milk. Taste the tea first before adding anything—the natural flavors are often the best.

Featured product

• Leafy Greens Loose Leaf Gift Pack: Contains three green teas: China Jasmine, Gorgeous Geisha, and Green Rose, each in a mini tin inside a recyclable cardboard gift box. Each green tea has a unique flavor profile, so you can practice adjusting water temperature and steep time to match the specific tea.