Why Loose Leaf Tea?
Loose leaf tea offers a richer, more complex flavour than bagged tea. Because the leaves are whole or minimally processed, they retain more of their natural oils, antioxidants, and aroma. The result is a cup that's noticeably more nuanced — whether you're brewing a delicate white tea or a robust Assam black.
What You'll Need
- Quality loose leaf tea
- A glass teapot with an infuser (ideal for watching the leaves unfurl)
- Filtered water
- A thermometer or temperature-controlled kettle
- A timer
A glass teapot is particularly well-suited to loose leaf brewing — you can watch the colour develop and know exactly when your tea is ready. Our AK Bloom 720ml Glass Teapot with Magnetic Infuser and 600ml/800ml Glass Teapot are designed specifically for loose leaf brewing, with a fine magnetic infuser that keeps leaves contained while allowing full water circulation.
Water Temperature: The Most Important Variable
Using boiling water for every tea is one of the most common mistakes. Different teas require different temperatures to extract the best flavour without bitterness.
- White tea: 70–75°C — very delicate; high heat destroys the subtle floral notes
- Green tea: 75–80°C — boiling water makes green tea bitter and grassy
- Oolong tea: 85–90°C — partially oxidised; needs more heat than green but less than black
- Black tea: 95–100°C — fully oxidised and robust; can handle near-boiling water
- Herbal & fruit infusions: 95–100°C — not true teas, but benefit from full boiling water
- Pu-erh tea: 95–100°C — aged and earthy; needs high heat to open up
Tip: If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, boil the water and let it sit for 2–3 minutes before pouring over green or white tea.
How Much Tea to Use
A general starting point is 1 teaspoon (2–3g) of loose leaf tea per 200ml of water. Adjust to taste — more tea gives a stronger brew, less gives a lighter cup. With a 720ml teapot, you'd use approximately 3 teaspoons.
Steeping Times by Tea Type
- White tea: 2–3 minutes
- Green tea: 1–3 minutes (shorter for delicate varieties like Gyokuro)
- Oolong tea: 2–4 minutes
- Black tea: 3–5 minutes
- Herbal infusions: 5–7 minutes
- Pu-erh: 3–5 minutes
Remove the infuser as soon as steeping is complete. Leaving leaves in the water too long leads to bitterness — especially with green and black teas.
Re-Steeping: Getting More from Your Leaves
Quality loose leaf teas can often be steeped 2–3 times. Each subsequent steep may require slightly higher temperature or longer steeping time. This is one of the great advantages of loose leaf over bagged tea — better value and a subtly different flavour profile with each cup.
Cleaning Your Glass Teapot
Rinse your teapot with warm water after each use. For a deeper clean, use a soft brush or cloth with mild dish soap — avoid abrasive scrubbers on the glass. The magnetic infuser can be rinsed under running water. Never put your glass teapot in the dishwasher.
