Tea Infusers
World PARTEA always recommend using an infuser to brew Teas, Tisanes and Infusions. Whether brewing in a pot or cup, we recommend you place the ingredients in an infuser, so the leaves and flavours have room to expand and can be removed easily with no mess at the end of the brew time. This stops the brew from becoming over-brewed and bitter. Tea baskets or balls of various sizes and shapes can be used in pots, cups or mugs which do not have an infuser. Or for extra convenience World PARTEA has a range of blends in biodegradable pyramid tea bags.
First step for brewing. Boil the water. Warm the teapot, cup or mug with the boiling water and empty. Then follow the instructions for the type of Tea, Tisane or Infusion you are making. General instructions are given below, and more specific instructions are given with every World PARTEA product – see website for details.
BLACK TEAS
Generally use 1 teaspoon (2g) per cups or round 2.5g for 400ml pot). Please note: we find where tea is to be drunk without milk slightly less tea is needed, or the brew becomes too strong. This especially applies to the flavoured teas. Vary the amount of tea to suit your taste.
Water temperature: Always boil your water and let sit for 1 minute, then pour onto leaves – otherwise, it will scald the leaves and you will end up with a bitter tea.
Brew times: Small-leaf teas need 2 to 3 minutes; Large-leaf teas need 3 to 4 minutes.
These brew times can be varied. Choose a time to suit your taste. Longer brewing times will give a stronger tea, but if you over-brew, the tea will become bitter. Shorter brewing times will give a lighter tea. Remove the infuser and leaves from the teapot at the end of the bring time
Milk & sugar: Flavoured teas are not generally served with milk. Large-leaf, high grade unflavoured teas do not require milk, but it can be added if you wish. Add milk to the empty cup first and pour the tea over the milk. Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey, stir and drink.
GREEN TEAS
The bitter flavour that often accompanies Green teas is prized in Asia but is not often to Western taste. Rinse the teas first to avoid this bitterness, and use less leaf and a shorter brew time. It is usual to use 1 teaspoon (2g) per cup, slightly more for a 400 ml pot or 2 cups. Stronger Green teas, require less leaf; other very light teas may require more. Adjust the amount to your taste.
Do not use boiling water. Boiling water will scald the leaves and give the tea a bitter flavour. Use water at about 80 to 85 degrees for Green teas. The easiest way to do this is to add 20% cold water to the pot or cup, top up with boiling water so the water temperature is correct, and then add the infuser with the leaves.
Generally Green teas need between 2-3 minutes. Choose a brewing time to suit your taste.Longer brewing times will give a stronger tea but if you over-brew, the tea will become bitter. Shorter brewing times will give a lighter tea. Green teas can be re-infused up to three times. Not all teas will take three or more brews, so re-infuse the leaf until it no longer produces a tea that suits your taste. The first serve highlights the aroma. The second brew will strengthen the flavour. The third brew will taste sweeter, with a stronger flavour.
Green tea is taken without milk or sugar.
WHITE TEAS
The mildness of white teas is often not fully appreciated by people who consume strong black teas or coffee. Rinse the teas first to avoid the ‘bitter’ taste and use less leaf and a shorter brew time. It is usual to use 1 teaspoon (2g) per cup and around 2.5g for 400 ml pot or 2 cups. Adjust the amount to your taste.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Do not use boiling water. Boiling water will scald the leaves and give the tea a bitter flavour. Use water at about 80 to 85 degrees for White teas. The easiest way to do this is to add 20% cold water to the pot or cup, top up with boiling water so the temperature is correct, and then add the infuser with the leaves.
BREW TIMES: Brew times vary. Some white teas need 2 to 6 minutes and others up to 10 minutes. The time can be varied to suit your taste. Longer brewing times will give a stronger tea, but if you over-brew, the tea will become bitter. Shorter brewing times will give a lighter tea. White teas can be re-infused up to six times. Not all teas will take three or more brews so re-infuse the leaves until the tea no longer suits your taste. The first serve highlights the aroma. The second brew will be delicate. Later brews add character.
MILK AND SUGAR: White tea is taken without milk or sugar.
OOLONG TEA
The bitter flavour that often accompanies these teas is prized in Asia, but is not often to Western taste. Rinse the teas first to avoid this bitterness and use less leaf and a shorter brew time. It is usual to use 1 teaspoon (2g) per 200 ml cup. Adjust the amount to your taste.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Do not use boiling water. Boiling water will scald the leaves and the qualities which give oolong tea its flavour. Use water at about 80 to 90 degrees Centigrade.
The easiest way to do this is to add approximately 20% cold water to the pot or cup, top up with boiling water so the temperature is correct, and then add the infuser with the leaves.
BREW TIMES: 1½ to 2 minutes. These brew times can be varied. Oolong tea leaves can be re-infused up to three times. Not all teas will take three or more brews, so re-infuse until the tea no longer suits your taste. The first serve highlights the aroma. The second brew will strengthen the flavour. The third brew will taste sweeter, with a stronger flavour
MILK AND SUGAR: Oolong tea is generally taken without milk or sugar.
PEARLS – JDP – BUDDHA TEARS
Fill a tea glass with hot water (75 to 80 deg C). The easiest way to do this is to add 20% cold water to the pot or cup and top up with boiling water. Add 2 to 3 pearls for each 200 ml cup.Brew for 3 to 4 minutes. The pearls can be brewed three or four times.Vary the number of pearls and brew time to vary the taste.
ARTISTIC TEA – TEA BLOSSOMS
Each artistic tea ball will make 2 litres of tea. Make the tea in a glass container/teapot so the flowering ball can be seen as the tea steeps. Fill a glass teapot or carafe with hot water (80 to 90 deg C). The easiest way to do this is to add 15% cold water to the pot or cup and top up with boiling water so the temperature is correct. Place 1 flavoured tea blossom into the water.
Brew for couple of minutes, until the leaves of the ball have unfurled and the natural dried flower blossoms opens in the cup. These teas can also be re-infused a number of times.
TISANES & INFUSIONS
Generally use 1 teaspoon (2g) per cup or 2.5g for 400 ml pot or 2 cups. You can vary the amount to suit your taste. The more herb or fruit, the stronger the flavour. Use a large infuser as the leaves and flowers need room to expand.
WATER TEMPERATURE: Use boiling water for Tisanes & Infusions. .
BREW TIMES: Tisanes & Infusion blends can be brewed for 5 to 10 minutes or more. Choose a time to suit your taste. Longer brewing times will give a stronger flavour. Remove the infuser and leaves from the pot or cup and serve. Refrigerate any remaining brew for a delicious cold drink.
ICED TEAS, TISANES & INFUSIONS
Many of our premium quality loose leaf Teas Tisanes & Infusions can be served iced to make a sumptuously delicious and refreshing summer drink. Or enjoyed iced all year round. Click separate page for ICED TEA BREWINGAYURVEDIC
stir up the blend and place the correct amount of loose leaves and ingredients into an infuser in a teapot (or you can use a coffee plunger or small infuser in a cup or mug). Add boiling water, steep for around five minutes (Longer for stronger taste, a shorter time for a milder brew. Adjust brew time to suit your tastebuds.) Then, sit back, relax and enjoy.
Remember Ayurvedics can be re-infused a number of times – just add more boiling water to the leaves to top up your drink. Not usually taken
with milk. Can be sweetened with pure sugar or honey. Use approx 1 teaspoon (2g) per cup and adjust to personal taste..
