Next to water, tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. Although tea bags are commonly seen in grocery stores, loose leaf teas are the better of the two. Since they come in their natural form without being broken down, loose leaf teas retain their essential oils and nutrients, plus have a richer taste and aroma. And, they’re just as easy to work with. Best of all, you can combine loose leaf teas to make exotic flavors.

Loose leaf teas need the proper storage to keep them fresh. They need to be kept away from heat, light, air and moisture. To do so, place the leaves in an airtight container, which should be kept at room temperature. Although people are apt to presenting their teas in a decorative manner, this will cause the leaves to lose their flavor. Choosing canisters that are specifically designed for loose tea leaves will feature tight-fitting lids and double walls made from stainless steel. 

When preparing loose leaf teas, it’s important to recognize which type of tea you will be brewing. Not all teas are prepared in the same way and utilizing the right method will ensure that you get create the best taste possible. 

For green and white teas, bring cold, filtered water to a rolling boil. Allow the water to cool to a temperature of 165-185 degrees before pouring it over the tea leaves. This usually takes about 30-60 seconds. Don’t pour boiling water onto leaves, as this will destroy the taste. You will need approximately 1 teaspoon of tea for every 6 to 8 ounces of water. 

For green teas, steep the tea for 1 to 2 minutes, while white teas will need 4 to 15 minutes with the leaves fully immersed. Green teas are also an excellent choice for summer drinks, but will need to be made a bit stronger. Let the leaves steep for an extra 2 ½ minutes, and the leaves will need to be cooled down before the ice is added. 

For black and oolong teas, boil fresh, filtered cold water and bring to a rapid boil for one minute. Measure out the tea, which is 1 teaspoon for every 6 to 8 ounces of water. When making black tea, pour the boiling water over the tea leaves and allow them to steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the leaves using a strainer. By overcooking the leaves, the taste of the tea can become bitter. 

For oolong varieties, steep for 30 to 60 seconds for 9 minutes or less, depending on how strong you want the tea to be. Remove the leaves with a strainer and reuse them for steeping. In general, green oolong varieties will need to be steeped 30 seconds longer, while amber selections can be steeped between 1 and 9 minutes. 

Remember, you will need to experiment with how long the leaves should be steeped in order to achieve a particular taste. Purchasing a cupping set is a great idea for experimenting without wasting the tea leaves.