HOW LONG TO STEEP TEA: TIPS FOR A WELL-BREWED CUP

Steeping is the process of soaking tea leaves in water to extract flavor and caffeine. Different types of tea require various steeping times and temperatures of water to extract optimal flavor from the leaves. Tea steeped for too short a time might end up weak and watery, while more delicate teas can become bitter if they’re steeped for too long. 

A delicious cup of tea starts with quality tea leaves or bags, a good kettle and a little knowledge of steeping times for the type of tea you’re preparing. Use this guide for more tips on the art of steeping tea.

HOW LONG DO YOU STEEP TEA BAGS VS. LOOSE LEAF TEAS?

Loose leaf teas are typically made from higher quality tea leaves than the tea in bags and it can take a little longer to extract optimum flavors. First and foremost, you’ll want to determine steeping time based on the type of tea you’re making. If a range of times is recommended for the type of tea you’re steeping, err on the shorter side for tea bags and the longer side for loose leaf tea.

While tea bags are convenient, loose tea can be more flavorful. Loose tea leaves can be steeped in a number of ways, including using metal balls and baskets and silicone or organic cotton bags. A French press or infuser teapot can be used to make larger batches of tea with loose tea leaves.

Whether you’re steeping tea bags or loose tea leaves, you’ll want a quality tea kettle to heat your water to the just right temperature for delicious results. With variable temperature control, the KitchenAid^® Pro Line^® Series Electric Kettle boils water quietly and quickly at the temperature you need.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO STEEP DIFFERENT TYPES OF TEAS?

As tea leaves are exposed to air, they dry and darken, and oxidation occurs. Different levels of oxidation factor into creating different types of tea. Fully oxidized leaves result in darker teas that are high in caffeine. These teas, including black teas, are typically steeped for longer periods to extract the boldest flavors. Partially oxidized teas, like Oolongs, are steeped for shorter periods, while delicate green and white teas—which are the least oxidized—are steeped quickly to produce mellower flavored teas without as many bitter afternotes.

Water temperature also matters when it comes to steeping. As a general rule, the hotter the water, the darker and more intensely flavored the tea. Cooler water temperatures tend to produce sweeter, more delicate flavors.

Here are nine popular teas and tips for steeping them:

HOW DO YOU STEEP TEA PROPERLY?

To begin steeping your tea, start with fresh, quality tea and cold filtered water. Heat your water to the proper temperature for the type of tea you’re brewing and pour it over the tea leaves in a tea infuser or a roomy tea bag—preferably pyramid-shaped for optimal space. Make sure the leaves are fully submerged so they can fully expand to release their flavor. Pay attention to steeping guidelines to avoid off flavors and weak or bitter beverages.

KitchenAid brand offers a variety of freestanding and built-in refrigerators featuring exterior water and ice dispensers to deliver easy access to filtered water and ice for all your beverages, including steeped teas.

DO YOU TAKE THE TEA BAG OUT AFTER STEEPING?

Tea bags should be removed after your tea has reached your desired flavor. Leaving your tea bag in your cup will continue the steeping process, potentially leading to a bitter cup. After your tea has steeped, remove the tea bag.

Some people like to squeeze the tea bag against the back of a spoon to extract that last bit of flavor before removing it. Others insist that this can add bitterness, especially to black teas, due to the extra tannins squeezed out at the end. To squeeze or not to squeeze—there’s no right or wrong answer to this dilemma—it’s up to you and your taste buds.

CAN YOU STEEP TEA IN COLD WATER?

Cold brewing, or steeping tea in cold water, is a great way to produce a smooth, mellow tea. This method steeps the tea leaves slowly, usually for 4-12 hours, in a covered container in the refrigerator. The result is a delicious beverage that’s high in flavor and lower in caffeine and tannins.

The KitchenAid^® Cold Brew Coffee Maker can be used to make cold brew tea or infuse floral, herbal or fruit ingredients into water. It comes with a reusable stainless steel steeper labeled with fill level indicators to help take the guesswork out of the brewing process.

CAN YOU REUSE TEA BAGS?

If you don’t mind a slightly weaker second cup, a tea bag can be used a second time. This works well for people who drink multiple cups at a time. If you are going to wait to reuse your tea bag, store it in the refrigerator to help preserve it.

If you’re looking for a loose leaf tea that can be steeped multiple times, Pu-erh and oolong teas are great candidates and can be re-steeped as many as 10 times. High-quality green, white and black loose leaf teas tend to retain their flavors for two or three rounds of steeping, but herbal and flavored teas start to lose potency after their first steep, so these leaves should only be used once. To extract the most flavor from re-steeped tea leaves, consider slightly increasing the temperature of your water, as well as the steeping time.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH TEA?

Tea is a versatile drink that’s delicious any time of day. Drink it with baked goods, like cinnamon roll bread or scones to start the day or with a piece of pecan pie or a slice of homemade cake, as a soothing and satisfying way to end a great dinner. It goes without saying that a variety of delicate sandwiches and a few sweets are classic afternoon tea time pairings for this traditional beverage. The next time you prepare yourself a cup of tea, consider accompanying it with one of these treats:

• Add a thumbprint of your favorite jam to these Scoop and Drop Lemon Citrus Scones for a delectable breakfast or tea time treat. They come together easily in a KitchenAid^® stand mixer with the Sift + Scale Attachment¹ that delivers automatic, hands-free sifting.

• Breakfast favorites like brioches and babkas are always delicious paired with tea. This savory Goat Cheese Babka brings the tang of goat cheese and the punch of fresh herbs to this twist on an Eastern European classic.

• Dainty slices of sweet loaves and quick breads—including cranberry, zucchini and banana bread—make a tasty addition to tea time. This Snickerdoodle Banana Bread is packed with warm spices to help enhance your tea experience.

• Bread-less Spring Tea Sandwiches layer fresh veggies with creamy fillings for pretty, savory tea time bites.

• Cookies, cookies and more cookies are a no-fail tea pairing. You can’t go wrong with anything from a classic chocolate chip cookie to delicately herbal and mouth-watering Lavender Shortbread Cookies.

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EXPLORE KITCHENAID^® KETTLES

Every great cup of tea starts with a great tea kettle. Select KitchenAid^® tea kettles feature variable temperature settings and precision pouring in various electric kettles and traditional styles. Brew your favorite artisan drinks and teas with stylish kettles that are both eye-catching and convenient.