Brewing guide
Scoop. Steep. Carry on.
Loose-leaf tea is easier than it looks. If you can boil water and set a timer, you can do this.
How to brew
- 1
Measure
About a tablespoon per 8 oz cup. Each blend’s exact amount is below.
- 2
Pour, cover, start the timer
Water about 200°F, just off the boil. Lid or saucer on, and set a timer for 10 to 12 minutes the moment you pour.
- 3
Strain and drink
When the timer goes off, strain it and sweeten to taste if you like.
Twelve minutes feels long if you’re used to a tea bag. That’s the point: it’s a few minutes you get back. Wipe down the counter, write tomorrow’s to-do list, or stand at the window. By the time the timer goes, the cup is ready and so are you.
Ways to brew
Use whatever you have. The tea, the water and the time stay the same; only the cleanup changes.
| Method | Good for | How |
|---|---|---|
| In-cup steeper | One mug, easy cleanup | A mesh basket that sits in your mug. Add the tea, pour, cover, and lift the basket out when the timer goes off. |
| Fine-mesh strainer | No special gear | Steep the leaves loose in a mug or jar, covered, then pour through a strainer into your cup. |
| French press | Two or three cups at once | Add the tea, pour, and set the lid on with the plunger up. Press when the timer goes off and pour. |
| Teapot with a strainer | Sharing a pot | Use a tablespoon of tea for every 8 oz of water, and keep the lid on while it steeps. |
| Fillable tea bags | Taking tea to work | Paper bags you fill yourself. Spoon in the tea, fold the top over the rim, steep, and toss. |
| Bottom-dispensing steeper | No drips, no strainer | Steep in the brewer with its lid on, then set it on your mug and it drains through its own filter. |
How much of each
| Blend | Per 8 oz cup | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Flint | 1 heaping Tbsp (≈4 g) per 8 oz cup | Contains caffeine. |
| Clarity | 1 level Tbsp (≈3 g) per 8 oz cup | Contains trace caffeine (decaf green tea). |
| Hedgerow | 1 level Tbsp (≈3 g) per 8 oz cup | Contains trace caffeine (decaf green tea). |
| Settled | 1 level Tbsp (≈3 g) per 8 oz cup | Not listed |
| Rest for the Weary | 1 level Tbsp (≈2.5 g) per 8 oz cup | Not listed |
Questions people ask
What is loose-leaf tea?
Whole and cut leaves, flowers, roots and peels, rather than tea ground fine and sealed in a bag. You measure it yourself and strain it out once it has steeped.
Do I need an infuser?
No. A mug, a saucer and a fine strainer will do. If you’d like something easier to clean up, see ways to brew above. Whatever you use, give the leaves room to open.
Why does it steep so long?
Roots, flowers and whole leaves give up their flavor more slowly than the fine tea dust in most tea bags. Ten to twelve minutes, covered, is what these blends need to taste the way we meant them to.
How hot should the water be?
About 200°F, which is just off the boil. If you don’t have a thermometer, pour once the kettle has stopped bubbling.
Why cover it?
A lid or saucer keeps the heat in for the whole steep, and keeps the scent of the mint, citrus and flowers in the cup instead of drifting off with the steam.
Can I add honey or another sweetener?
Yes. Every label says to sweeten to taste, if you like.
Can I drink these iced?
Yes, all five. Brew a cup the usual way but a little stronger, with a bit more tea or a little less water, because the ice will melt into it. Sweeten while it’s still hot (honey dissolves far better warm), then pour it over a full glass of ice.
How should I store it?
Keep the bag sealed, away from heat, light and moisture, and use it by the best-by date on the label.
How many cups are in a bag?
A large bag makes about 25 to 34 cups and a small bag about 5 to 8, depending on the blend. We fill every bag to the same fullness rather than the same weight, so lighter, fluffier blends weigh a little less.