TEA HOW-TO
How to Make Tea with a French Press
Step By Step
Step 1 - Heat water
POUR FRESH WATER INTO A KETTLE AND HEAT TO EXACT TEMPERATURE.
We would recommend using low mineral, low chemical, spring or glacier-fed water.
To find the full water temperature instructions please refer to our Steeping Chart.
Heat the water by boiling it. Please do not microwave it, no matter what your Great Aunt Josephine says, as it results in unevenly hot water. Take care not to over-boil or re-boil your water, which results in stale-tasting tea from an imbalance of elements in the water. Water temperature also has a profound impact on infusion quality; for example, unfermented (green) teas can be easily bruised by overly hot water which extracts too many tannic acids, rendering a bitter palate.
Step 2 - Add tea and steep precisely
USE 1 TSP OF TEA LEAVES PER 1 CUP OF WATER.
To find the detailed steeping instructions please refer to our Steeping Chart.
Steeping times are the difference between a proper balance of flavors (as our blenders intend) and incorrect emphasis on certain flavor profiles of different ingredients.
TEA STORAGE 101
Store tea and herbs in a cool, dark, and dry (low humidity) place. Proper storage of tea lowers the deterioration rate of the fragile essential oils – hot, humid conditions with exposure to UV destroys tea. Once opened, we recommend consuming the tea within the year.
Step 3 - Press down gently
STRAIN THE LEAVES AND SERVE.
With Camellia sinensis leaves, as long as they are in contact with water, they will continue to infuse and, at the very least, result in the over-extraction of tannins, resulting in bitterness.
Step 4 - Savor the moment
TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THE CHARACTER AND AROMA.
We recommend tasting the tea first on it's own, so that you may appreciate the flavor profile as our Master Blenders intended. Then, from there, if you are craving a drop of local honey, a dollop of raspberry jam, or a splash of your favorite milk option, be our guest! Find peace in a teacup.