How to Measure and Brew Loose Leaf Tea

Loose-leaf tea, crafted from whole or partially broken tea leaves, unfurls as it interacts with hot water, capturing subtle flavor nuances. The type of tea, water temperature, steeping time, and water quality all influence the brewed cup. For the best results, use filtered or spring water.

Getting the ratio of loose-leaf tea to water just right is crucial for brewing the perfect cup. Too many leaves can make the tea overly strong or bitter, while too few can produce a weak brew. The tea industry has established guidelines to help achieve the ideal balance.

A single serving of loose-leaf tea is typically 2 grams per 8 ounces of hot water.

These guidelines ensure consistent professional cupping and tasting standards for evaluating tea quality. However, when brewing tea at home, you may encounter variables, such as needing a scale to measure loose tea or using different cup sizes.

Industry-standard measurements do not consider personal tea preferences. These guidelines are flexible tools that can be adjusted to suit your taste, enabling you to craft your ideal cup of tea. It's essential to consider the amount of tea you're using. We've prepared quick tea measurement guides for different tea types and brewing variables to support your brewing journey.

Tea Type	Weight per 8 oz. cup of hot tea	Volume per 8 oz. cup of hot tea
Black Tea	2 grams	One tablespoon
Black Tea Blends (e.g., Earl Grey, Chai)	2 grams	One tablespoon
Green Tea	2 grams	One tablespoon
Green Tea Blends (e.g., Ginger Green)	2 grams	One tablespoon
White Tea	2 grams	One tablespoon
Oolong Tea	2 grams	One tablespoon
Herbal Teas (e.g. Chamomile, Peppermint)	2 grams	One tablespoon

Variables to consider

Whole-leaf tea size

Tea leaves that are larger and less tightly rolled will take up more space than smaller or partially broken leaves. For instance, you might use a generous tablespoon of needle-like sencha green tea leaves but only a tiny teaspoon of pellet-rolled gunpowder green tea leaves.

Blended teas

Blended teas often contain larger herb pieces, which can enhance the overall volume of the tea. For instance, a chai blend may feature chunky cardamom pods, while a floral blend could include whole rose buds. In such cases, use a heaping tablespoon to fully capture the intended herb flavors.

Fine-cut tea size

Fine-cut tea leaves quickly brew and yield a robust and full-bodied flavor. Therefore, they should steep in a volume closer to one teaspoon per eight ounces of water.

Flavored teas

Teas flavored during processing, such as jasmine or Earl Grey, may infuse their added flavor more rapidly into the brewed tea. Depending on the strength of the flavor in your tea, you can steep more or less than a tablespoon.

Herb size

When making herbal tea, the size of the herb will affect the volume measurement you should use. For instance, you may need a heaping tablespoon of bulky, mild chamomile flowers instead of just a teaspoon of fine-cut, strong peppermint leaves.

Other measuring tips

Consider these suggestions if you're preparing a pot of tea and would like to adjust the strength to your liking.

To brew multiple cups of hot tea in a large teapot, increase the quantity of loose-leaf tea to match the total ounces of water used. For instance, use up to 6 grams or three tablespoons of loose-leaf tea for a 3-cup teapot.

If you prefer your tea stronger or milder, adjust the amount of tea leaves according to the brewing instructions. For a more robust brew, use a heaping tablespoon per 8 ounces of water, or a lighter brew using only a teaspoon. Loose-leaf tea can typically steep multiple times, allowing you to make several cups from the same amount of tea. Each subsequent steeping will produce a slightly lighter flavor than the previous one.

Have a hankering for iced tea?

To brew delicious iced tea, use twice the amount of loose-leaf tea you would for hot tea. Steep 4 grams (instead of 2 grams) of tea in 8 ounces of hot water, then pour the concentrate over ice for a perfect 16-ounce glass of iced tea.

Tea Type	Weight per 8 oz. cup to yield 16 oz. iced tea	Volume per 8 oz. cup to yield 16 oz. iced tea
Black Tea	4 grams	Two tablespoons
Black Tea Blends (e.g., Tulsi Infusion, Neem Nectar)	4 grams	Two tablespoons
Green Tea	4 grams	Two tablespoons
Green Tea Blends (e.g., Ginger Green)	4 grams	Two tablespoons
White Tea	4 grams	Two tablespoons
Oolong Tea	4 grams	Two tablespoons
Herbal Teas (e.g., Lemongrass, Ginger)	4 grams	Two tablespoons