recipes
There is a common misperception that it is complicated or messy making tea from loose leaf rather than from tea bags. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Whether you are making tea for yourself at home or for your customers, loose leaf tea provides a full and flavorful taste experience. The Tea Smith provides the basics for beverages from a cup of hot tea to iced teas in 1-5 gallon batches. We have also developed recipes for making superior-tasting lattes with loose leaf teas.
The perfect cup of tea
Start with clean cold water and quality loose leaf tea (available at The Tea Smith). Bring the water to a rolling boil for about 15 seconds. Follow the directions provided for the type of tea.
General Rules
- Use 1 teaspoon of tea per 6-8 ounces of water. Use 1 tablespoon for most herbals.
- For most white teas, allow water to cool to 175°, then infuse for 3-5 minutes. Most green teas infuse for 2-3 minutes. For black teas and most herbal infusions, use water just "off the boil" and infuse for 4-5 minutes.
Quick Hints
- Warm the teapot with boiling water before placing in tea.
- Avoid microwaving water to heat.
- When in doubt, use cooler water.
- Select an infuser that gives the leaves plenty of room to expand.
Contact us for tea recommendations that work well if you have high volume, or access to only one temperature of water.
Iced tea
By the glass or by the gallon, in America we drink more of our tea iced than anywhere else. Brewing loose leaf teas will enhance your menu offering, as well as your customers' experience.
The Quick Method
- To make iced tea, double the amount of tea recommended for hot beverage and pour over a full glass of ice. For example, use 2 tsp of black tea in 8 ounces of boiling water.
- Infuse as normal, then pour over a tall glass full of ice.
Contact us for ideas on which teas are most popular iced, and how to make iced teas in 1-5 gallon batches.
Coming soon:
- London Fog recipe
- Fruit-tea smoothie recipe