No. 11

General Tea Information and Steep Times

Tea leaf is not an herb.  Herbs are tisanes and naturally caffeine free with few exceptions.  Tea leaf naturally contains caffeine, black being the strongest and white the least and most grassy.  Teas are much lower in caffeine than coffee; an individual will not likely get the jitters from tea.  Unlike coffee which is dehydrating, all teas are hydrating and contain considerably more antioxidants & polyphenols than coffee.

White tea contains the highest amounts of these, green second, and black third.  All tea helps with weight loss and a reduction of edema, which is further enhanced when combining it with ginger and/or lemon.

All tea leaf is repeat steeped, meaning you can add water to the same tea leaf an average of 3 times.  Herb tea is a one time steep with the exception of stronger types such as peppermint, which may be steeped twice for full flavor extraction.

Do not add creamer to teas with citrus or they will curdle.  You may however add cream to any tea with bergamot which is a citrus oil, and it will not curdle.

Customers will likely order tea and retain the tea pouch in their cup. However, for your general knowledge, here are the tea steeping times for each kind of tea you may prepare.  Whether black, green, white, or herbal—all types of tea have variable steeping times which either brings out the full flavor and color, or prevents bitterness.  If tea leaf is steeped too long, it results in a bitter note.  Green and white teas are especially fragile compared to black.  Herbal tea does not become bitter, but only strengthens as it steeps to full extraction.    Enjoy!

Herb Teas Including Dessert Teas Which are Caffeine-Free

Steeping Temperature: 206 F degrees
Steep Time:  7 to 15 minutes
Caffeine:  None
Serving Size:  1 rounded tsp/8 oz. wate 

Black Teas

Steeping Temperature: 206 F degrees
Steep Time:  3-5 minutes
Caffeine:  moderate to high
Serving Size:  1 rounded tsp/8 oz. water

Green Teas

Steeping Temperature: 180 to 192 F degrees
Steep Time:  3-4 minutes
Caffeine:  low to moderate
Serving Size:  1 rounded tsp/8 oz. water

White Teas

Steeping Temperature: 170 to 180 F degrees
Steep Time:  2-3 minutes
Caffeine:  low
Serving Size:  1 rounded tsp/8 oz. water

Medicinal Teas General

Steeping Temperature: 180 to 206 F degrees
Steep Time:  20 to 60 minutes, covered or See Tea Concentrates
Caffeine:  none, few exceptions (caffeine or stimulant herbs include those such as;  yohimbe, kola nut, guarana, yerba mate, guayusa, etc)
Serving Size:  1 rounded tsp/8 oz. water to 1 rounded Tbl/quart water or 2 rounded Tbls/one-half gallon water

Dosages for Medicinal Teas Variable 

• Dried Herbs-  1 tablespoon per 1 cup of distilled or filtered water or 6 tablespoons (1/4 cup dried herbs) per 1 quart
• Fresh Herbs-  2 tablespoons per 1 cup of distilled or filtered water or 12 tablespoons per 1 quart
• Chronic Conditions-  3-4 cups of prepared tea daily, one cup per serving spread out throughout the day between meals, use for 4-8 weeks
• Acute Conditions-  1/4 to 1/2 cup prepared tea throughout the day every 2 hours hours or using up to 3-4 cups average, between meals throughout the day
• See POST 2 Tea Concentrate for easy tea preparation making 3 to 6 quarts for a convenient weeks use.