A box is a house for a tea bag.
A teapot’s a house for some tea.
If you pour me a cup and I drink it all up,
then the tea house will turn into me!
-Mary Ann Hoberman, A House is a House for Me
Steeping loose leaf tea is a beautiful thing, and quite simple. All you need is hot water and something for the tea to live in for a few minutes.
Measuring guidelines:
Each tea has a measuring guideline on the packet. You will notice that some ask for 2 teaspoons tea per 8 ounces water. These are the blends that are formulated with a base of green tea or black tea. Other blends ask for a tablespoon of tea per 8 ounces water. These are the herbal tea blends, otherwise known as tisanes. They contain no tea – only herbs – and so require a bit more plant material for a cup that is smooth and rich.
That being said, feel free to experiment with tea amounts that suit you. We all have different tastes.
Tea infuser options:
You can use a tea infuser that fills your cup, like this one, or a tea ball. A tea bag is another easy option. You can buy packs of disposable tea bags, or you can purchase a reusable one. Whatever you use, just make sure the tea has room to expand and unfurl. This helps it to release its full flavor.
Steeping method:
Measure your leaves into your infuser of choice, heat your water, and pour it into your cup. It’s always a good idea to cover your tea as it steeps. This keeps the water temp where it needs to be, and keeps the fragrance and flavors of the botanicals in your cup, which is where you want them. When the tea is ready, simply lift out the infuser and there you go. Tea is served.
Alternate steeping method:
If you don’t have a tea infuser, tea bag, or tea ball, you can measure the leaves directly into a brewing container such as a small glass Pyrex measuring cup, or a mason jar, and pour your water directly over the leaves. When the tea is ready, pour it through a fine mesh strainer into the cup you wish to drink from. Even though I have an infuser and love it, I still choose to brew tea this way at times for the delight of watching it through the glass.
If you don’t have a fine strainer, pouring the tea through a coffee filter or a piece of paper towel works as well.
Water temps and steeping times:
Suggested water temperatures and steeping times are included in each packet, or found on the website. However, please feel free to experiment with water temperatures and steeping times that suit you. Ultimately, it’s your tea, your way! Happy steeping!
And now, just a few notes of interest, in case you have more questions about the world of loose leaf tea.
Why is it important to give loose leaf teas plenty of room as they steep?
Loose leaf teas are not chopped as finely as are pre-packaged teas, but are left whole in order to retain their flavor. I follow this practice with all the herbs that I dry, keeping them whole as they dry and also storing them whole. While I do crush them lightly as I blend them, in order to let the flavors meld, they are still in bigger pieces than most commercial teas and need room to expand in the water. It is for this reason that most tea bags, which are flat, may not give you the fullest taste experience. However, they are quite convenient. It is for this reason I made it my mission to design a reusable tea bag that has a square shape at the bottom to give the tea leaves the room they crave, and a convenient drawstring top. These will be available to purchase when the shop goes live.
Second steeps. What are they?
Loose leaf teas such as these are born for more than one steep. Simply increase your steeping time by a minute with each subsequent steep. You should be able to enjoy at least 2 cups of tea from the same leaves. Experiment with this, according to your tastes. You may not like a third steep with every tea, but some of the flavoring botanicals I use are only fully experienced with the second steep.
Need more than one cup of tea?
Tea is even better when shared with a friend! For this, a French press is an excellent way to brew loose leaf tea. After you press the tea, you may want to pour it into another container, such as a teapot that will keep it warm. The tea will become bitter if it sits on the tea leaves.
A final, optional step?
When you’re done with the leaves, compost them if you can, returning them to the earth with gratitude. This practice is so good for the health of our soil!
I hope you enjoy these tea blends. Each recipe has been a work of love, and a source of joy and healing in my life. My wish is that you would feel that love in each cup. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have.
Happy sipping! ~Sheila
