Your first cup of loose leaf tea doesn’t need to be complicated. You need a mug, fresh water, your tea, and a tea filter or infuser to hold the leaves. The key is to follow the directions for your particular blend: tea amounts, water temperatures, and steeping times are not identical across the collection.
Start with the directions on your pouch
Before heating the water, check how much tea to use, how much water to pour, and how long to steep. A teaspoon is a useful starting measure when the blend’s directions call for it, but different leaves and ingredients take up different amounts of space. Use the specified amount rather than assuming every tea needs the same scoop.
Four steps to your first cup
- Measure your tea into a tea filter or infuser, following the blend’s directions.
- Heat fresh water to the temperature listed for that blend.
- Pour the measured water over the tea and set a timer for its recommended steeping time.
- Remove the filter or infuser when the time is up, then taste your cup before deciding whether to add milk or a sweetener.
Brewing examples from our collection
Beach House Black
For a bold, classic black tea, try Beach House Black. Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 fl oz of water heated to 205°F. Steep for 4–6 minutes. Its single listed ingredient is organic black tea, and it contains caffeine.
Blueberry Beach Breeze
Blueberry Beach Breeze is a fruity green tea blend with blueberries and botanicals, including stevia. Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 fl oz of water heated to 180°F. Steep for 3–5 minutes. Notice that its brewing temperature is lower than the black tea example above.
Beach House Rooibos
For a single-ingredient, naturally caffeine-free infusion, choose Beach House Rooibos. Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 fl oz of water heated to 212°F. Steep for 5–7 minutes.
Beach Cottage Comfort
Beach Cottage Comfort is a caffeine-free herbal blend with licorice sweetness, peppermint, and gentle lemon notes. Use 1 heaping teaspoon per 8 fl oz of water heated to 212°F. Steep for 6–8 minutes.
Tea filters or an infuser?
Either can hold the loose tea while water steeps through it. Choose the option that suits your routine and follow its use instructions. If you’re just getting started, our Pick your Blends Loose Leaf Tea Starter Kit includes 20 tea filters, four teas of your choice in ½ oz pouches, and four tasting note cards, along with other tea-time extras.
What if the cup isn’t quite right?
First check the tea amount, water volume, temperature, and steeping time against the blend’s directions. Make a note of what you used so you can compare your next cup. Where the directions allow adjustment to taste, change one variable at a time rather than changing everything at once.
Can you steep the leaves again?
The four blends featured above list 1–2 steeps in their product directions. Follow your own pouch’s guidance, and use fresh leaves often. Re-steeping guidance may differ for other blends.
Build your own tea ritual
Start with one blend, follow its directions, and take a moment to notice the aroma and flavor. Then explore a different tea style. Keeping a few tasting notes helps you remember which cups you’d like to brew again, whether that’s a bold black tea, fruity green tea, or caffeine-free herbal infusion.
