Black Tea: Brewing Temperature and Time
The ideal temperature for brewing black tea falls between 85°C and 100°C depending on the grade: the finer the leaf or the richer it is in buds, the cooler the water should be; the bolder and more broken the grade, the closer the water can be to boiling. Here is how to get it right, grade by grade.
Water, the Foundation of Everything
Filtered or lightly mineralized water gives a cleaner cup than tap water heavy in limescale. Avoid reboiling the same water more than once: it loses the dissolved oxygen that carries the aromas. Heat the water to the temperature indicated rather than bringing it to a systematic boil, especially for the finest grades.
Temperature by Type of Black Tea
On every product page, we indicate the exact temperature chosen for that lot. In summary:
- 85 to 90°C for the most delicate bud grades, like our Arunachal Golden Tippy.
- 90 to 95°C for whole leaves and fine Indian grades, like our OP Craighead or our Darjeeling FTGFOP1 Okayti.
- 95 to 100°C for broken, bold grades, like our BOP Demodera, which also takes milk well.
It isn't a matter of personal taste: water that's too hot on a delicate bud scorches the leaf and brings out bitterness before the aromas. Water that's too lukewarm on a bold grade gives a flat cup. To understand why grades behave differently when brewed, our article on black tea grades explained covers the difference between whole leaf and broken leaf in detail.
How Long to Steep
3 to 4 minutes is enough for the vast majority of our teas, regardless of grade. Remove the leaves or infuser as soon as the indicated time is up, don't let them sit in the pot or the cup.
Beyond 5 minutes, the tannins take over from the aromas and the cup becomes astringent.
Dosage, in Grams Rather Than Spoonfuls
Use 2 to 2.5 g of leaves per 200 ml of water, roughly a heaped teaspoon per cup. The grades richest in buds, like Golden Tippy, need a slightly lighter dose (2 g): their aromatic concentration is already high. A kitchen scale is more reliable than a spoon for staying consistent from one cup to the next.
What About Iced Tea?
Some of our flavored teas, like Blue Mountain, are designed to be just as good iced as hot: brew as usual, let it cool, then pour over ice. The FBOP grade at its base keeps its body even when diluted by the ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I use to brew black tea?
Between 85°C and 100°C depending on the grade: cooler for delicate buds, hotter for broken, bold grades. The exact temperature is listed on each product page.
How long should I steep loose leaf tea?
3 to 4 minutes for most of our teas. Beyond 5 minutes, bitterness takes over.
Should you add milk to a Ceylon tea?
It's a matter of taste, not a rule. Bold grades like BOP Uva take milk well, which softens the astringency. More delicate grades are usually enjoyed plain, so as not to mask the aromas.
How do you measure loose leaf tea?
2 to 2.5 g per 200 ml of water, or a heaped teaspoon per cup. A scale gives a more consistent result.