How to Make Loose Leaf Tea: A Complete Beginner’s Guide

Making loose leaf tea at home is a simple and rewarding experience that allows you to enjoy a more flavorful and aromatic cup than with bagged teas.

Whether you're new to loose leaf tea or just need a quick refresher, this step-by-step guide will show you how to brew the perfect cup using your favorite loose leaf teas, like those from Avodah.

Why Choose Loose Leaf Tea?

Loose leaf tea offers a richer flavor profile compared to bagged tea. The leaves are larger, which allows for better extraction of the tea's essential oils, giving you a more aromatic and flavorful cup. Additionally, loose leaf tea is a more eco-friendly option, as it typically comes without the waste of individually packaged bags.

At Avodah, we offer a wide range of loose leaf teas that cater to different wellness needs and flavor preferences. Whether you’re looking to unwind with Quiet Mind Tea or boost your energy with Sparkling Sunrise, there’s a perfect brew waiting for you.

What You’ll Need

To brew the perfect cup of loose leaf tea, you’ll need the following:

Loose Leaf Tea: Choose your favorite Avodah tea, such as Beauty Duo for healthy hair or Pure Detox for digestion support. Each tea offers a unique health benefit and flavor.
A Tea Infuser or Filter: This will keep the leaves contained while letting them expand as they steep.
A Tea Kettle: Either electric or stovetop, this will help you heat your water to the perfect temperature.
A Cup, Mug, or Teapot: The vessel where your tea will steep.
Tea Measuring Spoon (optional): If you want to be precise, this tool ensures you use the right amount of tea.

Step 1: Gather Your Tools

Before brewing, assemble everything you’ll need. If you don’t have a dedicated tea infuser or filter, you can easily use everyday kitchen tools such as a fine mesh strainer, coffee filter, or even a colander.

Step 2: Heat Your Water

The water temperature is crucial to making the perfect cup of tea. Too hot, and it will burn the delicate leaves; too cool, and you’ll get a bland brew. Here are the ideal temperatures for different types of tea:

Black Tea (like Ruby Radiance): 212°F (boiling)
Green Tea (such as Green Zen): 175–180°F
Herbal Tea (like Serene Tranquility): 212°F
White Tea: 175–180°F

If you don’t have a thermometer, look for the right visual cues: for green tea, water should be steaming briskly but not boiling, while black tea should come to a full boil.

Step 3: Measure Your Tea Leaves

While the standard amount is 1 teaspoon of tea per 6 oz of water, you can adjust this depending on your preferences. If you like a stronger flavor, feel free to use a little more tea. For instance:

Black Tea: 1 level tsp per 6 oz
Herbal Teas (like Belly Balance): 1 heaping tsp per 6 oz

Don’t worry about measuring too precisely—once you’ve brewed a few cups, you’ll develop a feel for the right amount.

Step 4: Steep Your Tea

Once your water is at the right temperature, pour it over your tea leaves. Make sure the leaves are fully submerged for an even extraction. The steeping time will depend on the type of tea:

Black Tea: Steep for 3–5 minutes.
Green Tea: Steep for 1–2 minutes.
Herbal Teas: Steep for 5+ minutes.

If you’re using Avodah's Milky Moon Tea (which supports lactation), a slightly longer steep may help extract all its beneficial properties. For Quiet Mind, a short steep time will yield a soothing, gentle cup.

Step 5: Remove Your Tea Leaves

Once your tea has steeped, remove the infuser or strain the leaves from the cup or pot. If you left the leaves directly in the pot, you can pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer to prevent over-brewing. Leaving the leaves in for too long can make the tea bitter, especially with more delicate teas like Green Zen.

Step 6: Enjoy!

Your perfect cup of loose leaf tea is ready to enjoy! Whether you’re drinking it hot or chilled, feel free to pair it with your favorite Avodah mug or tumbler for an elevated tea experience.

How to Make Loose Leaf Tea Without an Infuser

If you don't have an infuser, you can still make delicious loose leaf tea. Simply add the leaves directly to your teapot or cup. After steeping, strain the tea using a mesh strainer, coffee filter, or colander. While this method might not be as convenient, it's still an easy and effective way to brew tea.

A Few Tips for the Perfect Cup

Experiment with Steeping Times: For a stronger flavor, you can steep your tea longer. For a lighter brew, reduce the time.
Reusing Leaves: Many loose leaf teas can be brewed multiple times. Just make sure to increase the steeping time with each infusion to extract the flavors.

Avodah’s Teas: A Perfect Fit for Any Occasion

Whether you need a calming cup like Quiet Mind Tea before bed, or a refreshing pick-me-up with Sparkling Sunrise, Avodah's loose leaf teas offer something for everyone. Explore our full range of teas and tea accessories to enhance your tea-making experience today.