Key Takeaways:
- Measuring Properly Improves Every Cup: Using the correct ratio—1 teaspoon of tea per 8 oz of water, is essential for balanced flavor. Measuring consistently ensures you're not overpowering or under-delivering on taste.
- Choosing the Right Tea Enhances the Experience: Your tea choice should match the moment—whether it's energy, relaxation, or refreshment. Revival Tea Company offers both caffeinated and herbal blends to suit any time of day.
- High-Quality Accessories Make a Difference: Using the right tools enhances steeping and serving. Better equipment allows whole-leaf tea to fully expand and infuse properly.
Trying to get the most out of your loose leaf tea, but something always feels… off? Maybe the flavor falls flat, the caffeine hit is too weak, or the texture doesn’t hit right. Brewing loose leaf tea isn’t complicated, but it does require a little know-how, like tuning a guitar. The quality is there, but the harmony only happens when everything comes together just right.
At Revival Tea Company, we don’t cut corners. We craft our blends with premium whole-leaf ingredients and pack them fresh for full-bodied flavor in every sip. Our teas don’t just perform well, they outperform. That’s why our customers return cup after cup—for bold taste, clean ingredients, and a brew that lives up to the hype.
In this piece, you’ll learn how to make loose leaf tea from the ground up. We’ll break it down into simple steps, explain how long it takes to steep loose leaf tea, and show you how to make iced tea with loose leaf tea so you can confidently enjoy homemade iced tea.
What You’ll Need To Brew Loose Leaf Tea
Before learning how to make loose leaf tea, start with the essentials. The right tools and ingredients are key to crafting a flavorful and balanced cup, whether you’re preparing hot tea or homemade iced tea.
- Loose leaf tea: Choose a high-quality blend based on your flavor preferences and caffeine needs. From energizing black teas like Fresh Crafted Spiced Chai to caffeine-free herbal blends like Wild Berry Hibiscus, fresh, premium tea leaves are the foundation for a perfect brew.
- Teaspoon or scale: The general rule is to use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of water, but this can vary depending on the strength you like. A small kitchen scale can also help ensure consistency for more precision or larger servings.
- Kettle or pot: Heat your water to the ideal temperature for your tea type, 200℉ for most black teas and herbals. Using the right temperature helps extract the best flavor without bitterness.
- Infuser, tea ball, or teapot with strainer: These tools keep the tea leaves contained while allowing them to fully expand and release flavor during steeping. A spacious infuser or teapot is ideal, especially for larger loose leaves like those in our blends.
- Cup or mug: Use a heat-safe mug or teacup from which you enjoy drinking. The sensory experience of drinking tea starts with the cup in your hand, so make it feel intentional and enjoyable.
- Iced Tea Pitcher (Optional): If you're learning how to make iced tea with loose leaf tea, our Iced Tea Pitcher accessory is a game-changer. It’s designed for easy steeping, chilling, and serving, making homemade iced tea more convenient.
Step 1: Choose Your Tea
The first—and arguably most important—step in learning how to make loose leaf tea is picking the right tea for your moment. Whether you're looking for a burst of energy or a caffeine-free unwind, your experience begins with choosing a blend that matches your taste and intention.
We offer a wide range of premium loose leaf teas at Revival Tea Company. Want something energizing and smooth? Try our Earl Grey, infused with real bergamot and perfect for mornings. Prefer something bold and spicy with a touch of natural sweetness? Our Fresh Crafted Spiced Chai delivers, steeped in cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. For a caffeine-free option packed with antioxidants, go with Wild Berry Hibiscus, a tart and fruity blend made with elderberry and rose hips—ideal for late nights or soothing sips.
When selecting your tea, consider the caffeine content, the time of day, and how you plan to enjoy it—hot or iced. If you're preparing homemade iced tea, bold teas like our Mango Tea or Orange Spice Cinnamon Tea hold their flavor beautifully even when chilled. For sore throats or caffeine-free evenings, stick with our herbal blends—and always check the ingredients to match your needs.
Step 2: Measure The Right Amount
Now that you’ve selected your tea, the next step in learning how to make loose leaf tea is to balance tea leaves and water. This is where precision makes a difference in both flavor and strength.
The standard ratio is 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water. This works well for most blends, including black teas like our Orange Spice Cinnamon and herbals like Wild Berry Hibiscus. If you prefer a stronger brew or use a larger mug, feel free to adjust slightly, but don’t overdo it. Too much tea can lead to bitterness, especially in more robust blends.
For consistent results, especially when making homemade iced tea or brewing for multiple people, you can use a digital kitchen scale to weigh the tea leaves. This method ensures accuracy across batches and helps get the most out of our 6 oz and 1 lb bags, which yield approximately 60 to 160 servings, respectively.
Always refer to the instructions on our tea bag or loose leaf pouch, as some blends may benefit from slight adjustments in quantity based on leaf size or ingredients.
Step 3: Heat Your Water To The Right Temperature
Getting the water temperature right is crucial to mastering how to make loose leaf tea. Too hot, and you’ll scorch delicate ingredients. Too cool, and the flavor won’t fully release. This step is where a little attention pays off in a big way.
For most of our teas at Revival Tea Company, 200℉ is the sweet spot—just off a rolling boil. That includes black teas like our Earl Grey, Fresh Crafted Spiced Chai, Mango Tea, and Orange Spice Cinnamon Tea, as well as our herbal options like Wild Berry Hibiscus. Heating your water to the correct temperature ensures the leaves unfurl properly and release the full depth of flavor.
If you’re using a kettle without a temperature gauge, simply bring the water to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds before pouring. This keeps you close to 200℉ without overheating the leaves. And remember—always refer to the instructions on the bag for blend-specific guidance, as some herbal infusions may benefit from slight variations in steeping conditions.
Step 4: Steep The Tea
This is the heart of the process—where hot water meets premium tea leaves and transformation happens. Steeping brings out the flavor, aroma, and character of the tea, and knowing how long to steep loose leaf tea is just as important as knowing how much to use.
For most Revival Tea Company blends, a steep time of 5 to 6 minutes is ideal. Black teas like Earl Grey, Spiced Chai, and Mango Tea hit their full flavor potential around the 5-minute. Herbal blends like Wild Berry Hibiscus usually need a little less, around 4 minutes, to stay vibrant without turning overly tart. Again, refer to the steeping time listed on our tea packaging for exact instructions specific to your chosen blend.
Use an infuser, tea ball, or teapot with a built-in strainer to give the leaves enough room to expand. This is especially important with high-quality whole-leaf teas like ours, where the leaves are full-sized and not broken. A cramped infuser can mute the experience, so choose one that allows the tea to move freely as it steeps.
Step 5: Strain And Serve
Once your tea has steeped for the right amount of time, it’s time to strain the leaves and enjoy. This step is where everything comes together—aroma, flavor, and warmth in one final pour.
If you’re using an infuser or tea ball, remove it from your cup or teapot and discard the leaves. For teapots with built-in strainers, pour slowly to avoid overflow and ensure a smooth finish. You’ll notice that our whole-leaf teas retain their shape and structure, unlike the broken leaves used in lower-quality blends—another reason straining is clean and easy.
Pour your tea into your favorite cup and enjoy as is—or add a splash of milk, honey, or citrus if the blend allows. For example, our Fresh Crafted Spiced Chai pairs beautifully with steamed milk, while Wild Berry Hibiscus shines with nothing added.
Making homemade iced tea? Now’s the time to chill your brew. Let it cool to room temperature, then pour over ice or refrigerate.
Final Thoughts
Loose leaf tea invites you to slow down, engage your senses, and connect with what’s in your cup. It’s more than just a beverage—it’s a practice rooted in quality, intention, and a bit of everyday artistry. When you choose whole-leaf tea and brew it carefully, you choose an experience that honors flavor and craftsmanship.
Learning how to make loose leaf tea is about appreciating the details—from the shape of the leaves to the way aromas unfold with heat. Once you understand the rhythm of the process, brewing becomes second nature, and every cup becomes a moment worth pausing for.
Read also:
- Green Tea Vs Black Tea: Benefits, Caffeine & Flavor Compared
- The Top Teas To Soothe A Scratchy Or Sore Throat
- Best Green Tea To Buy: Flavor, Quality & Health Benefits
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Make Loose Leaf Tea
How much caffeine is in loose leaf tea?
Caffeine content varies by type—black teas like Earl Grey and Spiced Chai from Revival Tea Company typically contain around 50 mg per serving. Herbal teas such as Wild Berry Hibiscus are naturally caffeine-free. Always check the blend's ingredient list for caffeine details.
Do loose leaf teas expire?
Loose leaf tea doesn’t “expire” like perishable food, but it does lose freshness over time. Revival Tea Company teas have a 2-year shelf life from the production date when stored properly. After that, expect diminished aroma and flavor rather than spoilage.
Why does my loose leaf tea taste weak?
Weak tea can result from too little leaf, low water temperature, or short steeping time. Make sure you’re using 1 teaspoon per 8 oz, steeping at 200℉, and following the time listed on the bag. Use a larger infuser so the leaves can fully open.
How do I clean my infuser or teapot?
Rinse it out after each use and deep clean it weekly using baking soda or a gentle dish soap. Teapots and infusers that hold spiced or flavored teas (like Mango Tea or Chai) can retain aromas, so regular cleaning preserves taste purity. Avoid using vinegar with metal mesh infusers, as it may cause corrosion.
Why does my tea look cloudy after cooling?
Cloudiness in tea, especially iced tea, can result from hard water or cooling too quickly. It’s harmless but can affect appearance. Using filtered water and allowing the tea to cool before refrigerating helps prevent this.
How do I travel with loose leaf tea?
Pack your favorite loose leaf tea in a sealed tin or pouch and bring a travel infuser or collapsible tea steeper. Many Revival Tea Company customers keep their favorite blends on hand for hotel stays or long days at work. Just add hot water and you’re set.
Can I mix loose leaf tea with juice or lemonade?
Yes, especially when making homemade iced tea. Brew a strong batch of tea and mix it with lemonade or fruit juice to create your own tea blends—great with Wild Berry Hibiscus or Mango Tea. Just avoid mixing different loose leaf blends directly before steeping.
Why does loose leaf tea cost more than bagged tea?
Loose leaf tea often contains higher-quality, whole leaves than mass-market tea bags filled with fannings or dust. The result is better flavor and aroma, and multiple infusions per serving. You're paying for craftsmanship, not just convenience.
How do I know when I’ve added too much tea?
You may have used too many leaves if your tea tastes overly strong, bitter, or leaves a dry mouthfeel. Start with 1 teaspoon per 8 oz of water and adjust to taste. Measuring helps reduce waste while maintaining consistent flavor.
What’s the difference between herbal and black loose leaf tea?
Black tea is oxidized and contains caffeine—ideal for energy and bold flavor, like our Earl Grey or Spiced Chai. Herbal teas, like Wild Berry Hibiscus, are naturally caffeine-free and often made from flowers, fruit, and spices. Your choice depends on your desired taste and time of day.
