Certified Organic Black And Herb Teas Recipe

Measure

For 4 servings, measure 4 tsp loose-leaf black tea (1 tsp per 240 ml cup). If using tea bags, use 4 tea bags (one per cup).

Heat water

Bring 960 ml filtered water to a full boil (approx. 100°C / 212°F) in the kettle.

Pre-warm teapot/cups

Pour a small amount of the boiling water into the teapot and cups, swirl to warm, then discard this water. This stabilizes temperature for proper extraction.

Add tea

Place the measured loose-leaf tea in the infuser inside the teapot (or put 4 tea bags directly into the teapot or each cup).

Pour and steep

Pour the boiling water (just off the boil, ~95–100°C) over the tea. Cover and steep for 3–5 minutes; 4 minutes is recommended for balanced flavor. Adjust steep time to taste (shorter for lighter, longer for stronger).

Remove leaves

After steeping, remove the infuser or tea bags to stop extraction. Serve immediately.

Measure

For 4 servings, measure 8 tsp loose-leaf herbal tea (approx. 2 tsp per cup) or use 4 herbal tea bags (one per cup). Herbal blends are typically brewed a bit stronger than black teas.

Heat water

Bring 960 ml filtered water to a full boil (98–100°C / 208–212°F). Herbal teas require near-boiling water to extract flavor and oils.

Pre-warm teapot/cups

Pour a little boiling water into the teapot and cups to warm them, then discard that water.

Add herbal tea

Place the measured loose-leaf herbal tea in the infuser inside the teapot or place 4 herbal tea bags into the teapot or individual cups.

Pour and steep

Pour the boiling water over the herbal tea, cover, and steep for 5–7 minutes (6 minutes recommended). For stronger infusions (e.g., rooibos), steep up to 8–10 minutes if desired.

Remove leaves/bags

Remove the infuser or tea bags after the chosen steep time and serve immediately.

Taste and finish

Taste one serving before adding anything. For black tea, add milk if desired (a splash per cup). For both black and herbal teas, add sweetener (honey, sugar) to taste — note sweeteners add calories. For herbal varieties like peppermint or chamomile, lemon is optional; add 1 slice per cup if preferred.

Presentation

Pour brewed tea into warmed cups. Serve with optional lemon slices, milk and sweeteners on the side so guests can customize. Offer a small spoon for stirring.

Rinse the teapot and infuser immediately after use to avoid staining and trapped oils. For loose-leaf residue, wash with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly.

Temperature and steep time produce the largest flavor differences: use 3–5 minutes for black teas and 5–7+ minutes for herbal blends. Adjust quantities and steep times to match specific tea strength preferences.