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Long gone are the times when brewing tea was as easy as to place a tea bag into a cup of boiling water. Loose leaf teas can be brewed in many different ways, and each method has its own pros and cons. With every tea come different instructions, and with so many instructions, all that brewing might seem impossible to comprehend. One thing is certain, learning how to brew tea is important if you wish to really enjoy your cup. Although we might lean towards multiple-steeping technique, there is really no wrong or right way to brew tea leaves. What really matters is the final result.

5 ways to brew tea leaves

Here are the 5 different ways how to brew tea leaves at home, with all the pros and cons to each method.

1. Western brewing technique

Western style of brewing tea is the most common style to brew loose leaf tea. You can either use a teapot, a tea filter or a metal infuser. They will all give quite similar results, with teapot usually being the best choice. Unlike strainers, teapot will allow enough space for tea leaves to expand, resulting in a bit superior flavor. Paper filters, although practical, might leave a bad paper taste in your cup. Western brewing usually means only one 2-3 minutes infusion. This method is the best for flavored tea, herbal teas like rooibos, fruit and most of black tea.

Pros:

• requires less leaves
• less demanding
• easy if you are in a rush
• requires less leaves

Cons:

• easy to ruin tea
• only half of the experience
• leaves are not fully used
• inferior flavor

2. Eastern brewing technique

What we usually consider being an eastern way of brewing is using same tea leaves for multiple times. It also includes smaller teaware and much shorter steeping time. Eastern brewing might be difficult to learn, but will pay off with dozens of different flavors in only one brewing session. It’s the best way to enjoy tea while relaxing and enjoying the moment. Multiple-steeping technique is almost a must for high quality loose leaf tea such as Golden Monkey Paw or Big Red Robe and inappropriate for most herbal teas.

(Source: Tea Bespoke ©)

Pros:

• allows you to fully enjoy the flavor
• leaves are completely used
• requires more attention so there is less chance tea leaves will be destroyed
• allows you to slow down and enjoy the moment     

Cons:

• time consuming
• requires more loose leaf tea
• takes practice to master
• not appropriate for herbal tea

3. Mug brewing technique

Mug brewing is the easiest way of brewing tea in the world. All you need is a mug and some semi-ball rolled oolong tea leaves like the Iron Goddess of Mercy. Mug brewing will allow enough space for tea leaves to expand, giving a better flavor than brewing leaves in a small metal infuser. However, to prevent it from become bitter, drink the tea while still hot. Simply add more hot water to your mug to make another infusion and never use boiling water.

Pros:

• very easy
• allows leaves to expand
• the cheapest method
• allows re-steeping
• great for office

Cons:

• might result in a bitter tea
• some of the leaves could end up in your mouth
• not appropriate for all tea types

4. Cold brewed tea

Cold brewing is the best way to brew green tea in summer. All you need is a pitcher or a bigger glass teapot, a spoon of loose leaf tea and a liter of cold or lukewarm water. You don’t need to boil water for cold brewing. This technique is the best for green teas, especially for the deliciously scented ones. The biggest disadvantage? Cold brewing gives a very refreshing, tasty brew, even with lower quality tea, but very little antioxidants and caffeine. Drink the brewed tea within 24 hours. 

Pros:

• releases less caffeine
• very refreshing flavor
• the easiest way
• no need to boil water
• great for flavored green tea such as Chunky Cherry

Cons:

• releases less antioxidants
• not appropriate for all tea types
• requires at least 3 hours

5. Sun brewed tea

Sun brewing is a fun way to use the summer heat and brew loose leaf tea almost effortlessly. This method is the most suitable for black tea. Place tea leaves in a pitcher or a bigger jar, add water and leave it in the sun for a couple of hours. However, many argue that sun brewed tea might be very dangerous. It might not be only the aroma that will develop on the sun—bacteria loves to sun brew too.

Pros:

• easy to make
• great for black tea
• less caffeine
• cheap in terms of teaware—a regular jar is enough
• the best method to brew tea in nature

Cons:

• only good for some tea types
• flavor inferior to traditionally brewed tea
• less antioxidants
• might be dangerous

What is your preferred method of brewing tea?

Further reading:

- Check out some tips on how to find good teaware

- Learn about Japanese teapots

- Read what are the 5 DON'Ts if you want to enjoy your tea