How Much Water for One Tea Bag?
Making a cup of tea may seem like a simple task, but as any tea connoisseur will know, getting the water-to-tea ratio right is more complex than you might think. The amount of water needed for making a delicious cup of tea depends on a number of things, including the type of green, oolong, white, or black tea you’re using, as well as personal preference. Read on to learn the basic guide to how much water you should use for one tea bag.
Submerging the Tea Bag in Boiling Water
When brewing a cuppa with a tea bag, you should start by heating some water until just boiling, or around 95°C. Ideally, you should use freshly-drawn water for maximum flavour, as this will be lower in toxins such as chlorine.
Once boiling, pour the water into a teacup or mug, and submerge the tea bag in the boiling water. As a general rule, it is recommended to leave the tea bag in the hot water for three to five minutes, to allow the flavours of the leaves to be released. If you like a stronger taste, feel free to leave the tea bag in longer.
How Much Water?
This all depends on the type of tea you’re using and your personal preference. For example, oolong and black teas need around 200ml of water per cup, while green teas are best brewed with slightly less, at around 150ml.
If you decide to steep your tea for less than five minutes, you may want to use more water so as not to overpower the tea flavour. Alternatively, if you love your tea strongly brewed, feel free to use less water to get the flavour you love.
Adding Milk and Sweetener
Many people enjoy adding milk and sugar to their tea for a more enjoyable cup of tea. But take care: adding milk to the cup too soon can cool the water down and deprive your tea of its full flavour. Always add the milk and sugar at the end – after the tea has brewed – so that you get the full flavour while still enjoying your milk and sweetener.
In summary:
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- Oolong and black teas need around 200ml of water per cup.
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- Green teas are best brewed with slightly less, at around 150ml.
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- For extra flavour, steep the tea bag for three to five minutes.
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- Always add milk and sweetener at the end.
Now you know how much water to use for a delicious cup of tea from a tea bag. Be sure to experiment and adjust the ratio of water and steep time as needed, to make your perfect cuppa!
