Tea timer: how long to steep tea

Steep black tea for 3 to 5 minutes in boiling water, and green tea for 2 to 3 minutes in water just off the boil. These times are for one tea bag, or about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf, per 8 oz (240 ml) cup. Check the packet too; some teas give their own time.

Getting the water right

No thermometer? Boil the kettle and let it stand: about 1 minute off the boil is right for oolong, and 2-3 minutes for green and white tea. Water that is too hot makes green tea bitter.

Stronger, not bitter

Steeping longer mostly adds bitterness, especially with green tea. For a stronger cup, use more tea instead of more time. Take the bag or leaves out when the timer goes.

French press coffee

Use coarsely ground coffee, about 1 tablespoon per 4 oz (120 ml) of water, and water just off the boil, around 200°F (93°C). Pour, stir, put the lid on, and steep for 4 minutes before pressing the plunger down slowly. Start 4 min

Pour it all out once pressed; coffee left sitting on the grounds keeps brewing and turns bitter.

Making a pot for several people?

Brewing a black tea and a green tea side by side? Give each its own named timer so you know which is which. Add "Tea for two" to Kitchen Timer · Run several timers at once

Questions

More: Egg timer · Bacon timer · All cooking timers
Run several timers at once