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Black Tea Brewing: Water Temperature, Time, and Techniques

Tea News · May 06, 2025

Black Tea, with its unique aroma and gentle nature, is beloved by many tea enthusiasts. How can we Brew it to perfectly bring out its aroma and flavor? Today, we share the key points of brewing black tea.

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To enjoy a good Cup of black tea, we need to master certain brewing techniques.

For brewing utensils, we recommend using a large Teapot or a lidded bowl. When brewing, first warm the teapot and cups with boiling water, then add an appropriate amount of tea leaves.

When brewing, pay attention to the water temperature and control the pouring time. You may even need to time it to brew black tea infusions of different concentrations. Of course, you can also add Sugar or milk according to your taste for a flavored drink.

Water Temperature

Fill the kettle with fresh cold water and boil it until it reaches 100°C for brewing. Fresh water that meets drinking standards contains air, which can fully release the aroma of black tea. Overnight water, re-boiled water, or hot water from a thermos are not suitable for brewing black tea.

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Warming Utensils

Pour boiling water into the teapot and cups to increase their own temperature, helping the aroma to be released when brewing later. The best way to pour water is in a gradual, intermittent manner to avoid significant changes in temperature.

The body of the teapot is generally short and stout, allowing the tea leaves space to fully expand and move during brewing.

Adding Tea Leaves

If you want a strong tea, use 1 teaspoon (about 2.5 grams) per person. However, to brew great black tea, we suggest using the amount for 2 cups (about 5 grams) to brew 2 cups, which brings out the rich flavor of black tea and allows you to enjoy refills.

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Brewing

Pour boiling water over the tea leaves in the pot. Generally, after the water boils, wait about 30 seconds until the bubbles form a circle the size of a one-yuan coin, which is the best time to brew black tea.

Timing (Brewing Time)

Professional tea cans will indicate the concentration of the tea, and you can decide the brewing time based on the concentration level, ranging from 1 to 4, corresponding to 2 to 3 and a half minutes.

Pouring the Infusion

Pour the brewed tea into your favorite cup. Choose a cup with a shallow bottom and a wide rim, which allows you to fully appreciate the aroma and captivating color of the black tea.

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Flavoring

Add sugar or milk to taste. Teas with milk usually have a stronger flavor and a slightly astringent taste. However, adding rich milk reduces the astringency and enhances the texture.

The above are the principles for brewing black tea. Whether you prefer brewing in a large teapot or a lidded bowl, adjust according to your preferences.

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