How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea Properly (Step-by-Step Guide)

how to brew loose leaf tea in tea strainer

If your tea isn’t tasting right, it’s probably not the tea.

It’s how it’s being brewed.

Loose leaf tea is simple, but small mistakes can completely change the flavour.

The good news?
Once you understand the basics, you unlock a richer, smoother and more refined tea experience.

What you need to brew loose leaf tea

You don’t need anything complicated.

Start with:

  • Loose leaf tea
  • Hot water
  • A tea infuser, strainer, or teapot
  • A cup or mug

That’s it. The difference comes from how you use it.

Step 1: Measure your tea correctly

A common mistake is using too much or too little.

As a general guide:

1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per cup (250ml)

Too much → bitter
Too little → weak

Balance is everything.

Step 2: Use the right water temperature

This is where most people go wrong.

Boiling water isn’t always best.

Use this as your guide:

  • Green tea (Parna): 70–80°C
  • Black tea (Eastern Earl, Sona Sunshine): 90–100°C
  • Rooibos (Ruby Sundara): 95–100°C

Water that’s too hot can burn delicate leaves.
Too cool, and the flavour won’t fully develop.

Step 3: Let the leaves expand

Loose leaf tea needs space.

Unlike tea bags, the leaves open up and release their full flavour.

Make sure:

  • Your infuser or teapot isn’t overcrowded
  • Water can circulate freely

This is what gives loose leaf tea its depth and complexity.

Step 4: Steep for the right amount of time

Timing matters more than you think.

General steeping times:

  • Green tea: 2–3 minutes
  • Black tea: 3–5 minutes
  • Rooibos: 5–7 minutes

Too long → bitter
Too short → underdeveloped

Set a timer if you need to. It makes a difference.

Step 5: Remove the leaves and enjoy

Once your tea has steeped:

  • Remove the leaves or infuser
  • Pour and enjoy immediately

Leaving leaves in too long will continue the extraction and affect the taste.

Explore our premium loose leaf tea blends and start brewing tea the way it was meant to be enjoyed.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even good tea can taste bad if these happen:

  • Using boiling water for green tea
  • Letting tea steep too long
  • Using low-quality water
  • Not measuring properly

Fix these, and your tea improves instantly.

Elevating the experience

Once you’ve mastered the basics, it becomes more than just tea.

You start to notice:

  • Aroma
  • Texture
  • Subtle flavour notes

At Chai Society, our teas are:

Globally sourced and locally blended for depth and refined flavour

Each blend is designed to deliver a distinct experience:

  • Parna → light, floral and calming
  • Eastern Earl → smooth, citrus with depth
  • Sona Sunshine → bold, bright and energising
  • Ruby Sundara → fruity, spiced and comforting

The better you brew it, the more you experience it.

Discover our signature blends, each crafted for a distinct flavour experience.

Why brewing properly changes everything

Most people judge tea based on a poor brew.

But when done correctly:

  • The flavour becomes smoother
  • The bitterness disappears
  • The experience becomes intentional

And this is where tea shifts from:
A quick drink
To a daily ritual

From ritual to meaningful gifting

When tea is experienced properly, it becomes something worth sharing.

A beautifully presented tea gift set:

  • Introduces someone to the ritual
  • Creates a moment they return to
  • Feels thoughtful and intentional

It’s not just tea.
It’s an experience they remember.

Discover our luxury tea gift boxes, designed to turn everyday tea into a meaningful experience.

The bottom line

Great tea isn’t complicated.

It’s about:

  • The right tea
  • The right method
  • A little more intention

And once you get it right,
you won’t go back.

Discover the full Chai Society experience through our loose leaf luxury tea sets and curated gift boxes.