Tea Steeping Instructions
Steep This Way (a general guide to steeping your teas) Photo By Al Roy.
To steep or to brew tea is to infuse the tealeaves in hot water for a certain period of time; then to pour out the tea you have created into cups for drinking. Steeping is a process that you repeat several times. The steeping time varies according to the vessel or pot you use, the amount of tea, and the temperature of the water. Keep in mind steeping good tea is an art form, and depends on our preferences and culture influences. I hope you all take the time to experiment and find what taste suits you. When I steep tea, I consider it an interpretation. Follow your intuition and create your own taste as you journey with tea: live like water and enjoy a different taste each steep of the way.
Measurements to keep in mind: 1 heaping teaspoon is approximately 3-5 grams of tea.
One teaspoon is sufficient per person, per cup (10 oz to 20 oz) you decide on quantity and strength. Those who like a milder tea may want to add water. My preference is to steep one teaspoon in 10 oz of hot water for 5 minutes. I feel that combination creates a very good cup of tea.
Tea Leaf Stages.
Still Asleep (rolled up tea leaves)
Gentle Awakening (slight unfurling of the leaves)
Awake (tea leaves begin to stretch)
Tiring (tea leaves are almost fully expanded)
Exhausted (fully expanded, flattened tea leaves)
Unfurled Tea Leaf
You will be surprised at how much tea you can make with one teaspoon, and amazed how big the leaves expand once they have woken up and stretched out in your cup or tea pot.
You don’t need any special pottery to make good tea. Here are some simple methods.
1. You can simply add a teaspoon of tea and steep it in your favorite cup or travel mug.
2. Use a glass Press / or Bodem so you can see the color and leaves as they unfurl. This way you will know by the color and the state of the leaves when it is time to decant the tea. Remember the longer the tea and hot water infuse the stronger the brew.
3. You can also use a tea ball. Personally I don’t like this way because it constricts the leaves and prevents them from expanding.
4.Use empty tea sacs so you can custom make your favorite teas and enjoy them anywhere you can get hot water. These are very convenient and easy to use. I usually confiscate the coffee pot, wash it well, and drop one or two of my personally made tea bags. This creates a nice tea buzz for tea loves and novices, and you’ll receive lots of karma points for this kind gesture.
Note: all the following steeping times are based on the hand picked high mountain teas.
Green Tea Espresso: Taiwanese Tea Taste. 
If you like really strong, biter sweet hot tea use more tea and quicker steeping times in a 4 oz tea vessel. Once the water has boiled allow it cool to approximately 90c. Use three teaspoons or about 9grams of tea. Steep the tea for 40 seconds, then decant. Some tend to wash their teas leaves by decanting the first steeping after a few seconds; I do not do this because I love the honey sweet tea taste of the first steeping, and I know the purity of the high mountain teas I import and drink. After the 3rd infusion extend the time of the steeping.
Milder Green Tea Espresso:
For a strong yet smooth Green tea expresso use only two teaspoons, or about 6 grams of tea and let the water cool to approximately 80c. Steep the tea for about 60 seconds then decant. The lower water temperature will cause the leaves to open a little slower, and will release a milder brew. Reduce your steeping time for the next few infusions to 30 or 40 seconds because the leaves have already opened and less time is needed. After three or four infusions, increase the steeping time to extract more tea flavor. You can also use hotter water. Don’t be afraid to push the temperature and steeping time. Most importantly, enjoy every steep of tea you make.