How Long to Steep Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea is a popular black tea, flavored with bergamot oil and orange peel. It has a smooth, citrus flavor, making it a great tea to enjoy any time of day. The key to steeping Earl Grey properly lies in finding the right balance between time and temperature. The longer you steep it, the more flavor will be extracted from the leaves, but if you steep it too long you can risk it turning too bitter.
Instructions
- Measure Out Your Tea Leaves – Using the proper amount of tea is important when steeping any tea. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 teaspoon of Earl Grey tea leaves to every 8 ounces of water.
- Bring Water to a Boil – Fill a pot of fresh water and bring it to a boil. Let the boiling water sit for approximately 30 seconds before pouring it over the tea leaves.
- Pour Hot Water Over Leaves and Steep – Once the tea leaves have been measured out, pour the boiling water gradually over the loose leaves. Steep the tea for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until a dark amber color has been extracted from the leaves.
- Strain and Serve – Once the desired flavor has been reached, strain the tea into cups and enjoy. Adding a bit of honey, sugar, or lemon will further enhance the flavor as well.
It’s important to note that different types of Earl Grey will require different steeping times. Green Earl Greys, for example, are more delicate, so should be steeped for a shorter period of time. Additionally, tea bags will yield different results than loose leaves, so make sure to allow extra steeping time if you use bags instead.
With a few simple steps, you can easily make a great cup of Earl Grey tea that tastes just the way you want it. Experiment with different steeping times to find the perfect flavor for your cup!
