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Variables to Consider
Several important variables will determine the outcome and ultimate enjoyment of a cup of tea. These are: (1) The quantity and quality of the tea leaves, (2) Temperature and quality of the water, (3) Steep time, and finally (4) Your own individual preferences.
Quality & Quantity of the Tea Leaves
Quality is #1. It is sometimes asked whether the quality of loose teas are better that those teas used in tea bags. The answer is simply that some loose teas are good, others noty so good, and the same can be said for teas in tea bags. The ultimate test is how a tea finally tastes when brewed and cupped, and this is the real determinate of quality.
At Hawaiian Islands Tea Company we carefully evaluate and select through rigorous cuppings the teas we chose to flavor. The tea must be fresh, aromatic and flavorful but not so strong that it masks added flavors. You will find that our teas in tea bags meet stringent and selective quality standards and stand out in the cup.
How much dry tea you use per unit of water is unquestionably important. We place 2 grams of tropical tea into our tea bags. A rule of thumb is 2 grams of dry tea per 8 to 10 ounces of hot water. (A teaspoon filled to level holds approximately 2 grams of fine cut tea and 1 gram of loose leaf tea.). In a teapot use one tea bag per each 8 ounces of water added.
Temperature and Quality of the water
Water Temperature. Different brewing temperatures are required for black, green and herbal teas:
Black Tea: Heat water to near a full boil, 206 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, but not a full boil. Continuous boiling will rob the water of needed oxygen and make the tea taste flat.
Green Tea: Brewing green tea is a more delicate process. Green teas are much less processed than black teas and more sensitive to temperature and steep time. Green teas must be steeped at a low temperature, 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bitterness.
Herbal Tea: The rooibos herb that we use in our 100% caffeine free Coconut Macadamia Herbal Tea is not particulaly sensitive to temperature or steep time. We recommend near boiling hot water and a steep time from 5 to 15 minutes.
Our black teas can steep five to ten minutes and longer without bitterness.
Water Quality. Water is the largest ingredient in any brewed tea. The water you choose will make a big difference in the finished tea flavor. Spring Water is excellent. If your tap water is hard, use filtered or bottled water. Stay away from heavily filtered water that removes most minerals from the water, the tea will taste flat. Start with cold water since it retains more oxygen for fuller flavor. Spring Water is great. If your tap water is hard, use filtered or bottled water.
Steep Time
Black Tea: Heat water to near a full boil, 206 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, but not a full boil. Continuous boiling will rob the water of needed oxygen and make the tea taste flat. We generally recomend steeping our tropcial black teas for 2 to 5 minutes, the amount of time depends on your preference. Our black teas can steep five to ten minutes and longer without bitterness. Some who like a bold cup of tea will use two tea bags in their cup.
Green Tea: Steep time for green tea is short, 1 to 2 minutes, depending on our preference. Longer steep time will cause a bitter taste. Green teas can be re-infused with water and steeped again several times.
Herbal Tea: We recommend near boiling hot water and a steep time from 5 to 15 minutes for our herbal tea.
Your Personal Preferences
With any tea how to brew it to suit your taste is a personal choice…experiment to find your preferences. There is no single set of tea brewing instructions that is perfect for everyone. A tea that you found unappealing may turn out to be great tasting when you find the brewing temperature and steep time that is right for you. Some people want strong flavor, others strong tea flavor with light fruit flavor. Only you can determine what works for you.