When brewed properly, loose leaf tea makes for an amazing experience - something that can't be achieved by standard tea bags. And for this reason, most tea enthusiasts prefer buying the more expensive loose leaf tea which has tons of flavor. But, the way you brew your tea also does impact its flavor.
So, if you want to enjoy your favorite tea in new ways, why not try a new brewing style? Here are 5 loose leaf tea brewing methods that you can try out.
1. Try A French Press
While you would generally associate a French press with coffee, you can make an amazing cup of tea in it, too! But before you start, make sure you clean the French press thoroughly - you don't want a coffee-flavored tea after all!
Making tea with this device is easy. Measure the quantity of tea leaves you will need (approximately around 1 teaspoon for each cup) and put it in, and then pour hot water over it. Let the tea steep for a few minutes before pouring it out through the strainer into your cup. Here you should note that the steeping time varies according to the type of tea used - over or under-steeping won't get you your desired flavor.
2. Get Some Nice Infusers
If you are someone who prefers drinking flavored teas, getting a tea infuser might help you make the perfect cup. These are small devices in which you can place loose leaf tea along with any other ingredients you like and dip it into a teapot or cup to infuse all the flavor.
This method is equally useful for making large quantities of tea for guests and a small cup for your own consumption. And the best part is that you get lots of choice when selecting an infuser. You could choose from the more common stainless steel infusers in quirky shapes. Or even a strawberry-shaped silicone tea infuser to make brewing more fun.
3. Use A Tetsubin
A traditional Japanese kettle, the Tetsubin helps brew tea with a distinct flavor. These are large cast iron kettles without any enamel coating on the inside. When you boil water in the tetsubin for brewing tea, a small amount of iron gets infused into the water, adding both flavor and healthy benefits. Traditionally, tetsubins were used only for heating water and not making tea, but in modern times, it's used for both.
Just boil some water in the kettle and add tea leaves after turning off the heat. Let it steep until you get the perfect brew.
4. Try Making Your Own Tea Bags
Love the convenience of using tea bags but want the stronger and more flavorful taste of loose leaf tea? Why not have the best of both worlds! You can easily create your own tea bags to make loose leaf tea brewing easier than ever.
All you need is a piece of cheesecloth or some fine muslin and some thread. Cut the cloth in small square pieces and put one teaspoon (or more) of your favorite loose leaf tea in the center. Now, hold all the edges together and tie it tightly with a piece of string - and your tea bag is ready! Make sure to keep the string long enough to make it easy to dip in hot water. You can also use coffee filters - they work just as well for making some quick tea bags.
Make a few home-made tea pouches in advance when you are expecting guests, and enjoy brewing the perfect tea together!
5. Make A Cold Brew
Cold brew is a healthy loose leaf tea brewing method that's gaining rapid popularity. Not only is it a good idea for enjoying your favorite beverage during the hot summer months, but it also has lower amounts of caffeine. And the best part - it's super easy to make!
All you need to do is add a few teaspoons of loose leaf tea into a jar or bottle of cold water, and let it steep for 6-8 hours or more, depending on the type of tea used.