How to Brew Black Tea: A Guide to a Bold, Flavourful Cup
Black tea is celebrated for its robust, rich flavour and deep amber colour, making it a favourite among tea enthusiasts worldwide. Brewing a perfect cup of black tea is a simple process, but with a few thoughtful steps, you can bring out its bold, satisfying taste and savour each sip.
1. Start with Quality Black Tea Leaves
The foundation of a great cup of black tea lies in quality tea leaves. Loose leaf varieties, such as our Imperial black Shan, Assam, Darjeeling, or Earl Grey, provide a more complex, fuller flavour than tea bags, allowing you to enjoy the true essence of each variety.
2. Boil Fresh, Filtered Water
Black tea is best brewed with fully boiled water, which draws out its rich flavours. Start with fresh, filtered water for the cleanest taste, avoiding any metallic or chlorine notes.
- Ideal Temperature: Black tea needs water at 95–100°C (203–212°F).
- Tip: Bring the water to a full boil. This high heat is essential for releasing black tea’s depth of flavour.
3. Measure Your Tea
For a well-balanced cup, use 3-5g of loose black tea for every cup (250ml) of water. Adjust to taste—a bit more tea for a stronger flavour, or a little less for a lighter brew.
4. Steep with Patience
Black tea develops its full-bodied taste with a longer steeping time, but it’s easy to customise.
- Steeping Time: 3–5 minutes is ideal for most black teas. A shorter time will give you a milder flavour, while a longer steep brings out deeper, more robust notes.
- Pro Tip: Check the flavour midway by tasting your tea. This lets you find the balance that suits your taste.
5. Re-Steeping Black Tea
While black tea is known for its robust first infusion, you can enjoy additional, lighter cups with re-steeping, especially with high-quality whole-leaf varieties. Here’s how:
- Increase Steeping Time: For each additional steep, add an extra minute or two to the previous steeping time. Re-steeping may reveal subtler notes, though it will be milder than the first cup.
- Keep the Water Temperature Consistent: Use the same temperature (95–100°C) to maintain warmth and flavour in each infusion.
- Discover New Flavours: Re-steeped black tea often brings out lighter, sometimes floral or sweet undertones, offering a unique tasting experience with every cup.
6. Serve and Savour
Once your tea has steeped to perfection, pour it into your favourite cup and enjoy. Black tea’s bold flavour pairs beautifully with milk, a slice of lemon, or a touch of honey. Or, simply enjoy it plain to experience its naturally rich taste.
Black tea is versatile, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different steeping times, amounts, and re-steeps until you find your perfect cup. Every sip offers a journey of warmth, strength, and comfort—a beautiful ritual for any time of day.
Happy brewing!