How to Make Loose Leaf Tea

Learning how to make loose leaf tea is easy with this three step tutorial. Included are tips for making the best tasting cup of British tea just like the Royals enjoy!

There’s absolutely no need to feel intimidated about making loose leaf tea.  You also can make loose leaf tea without an infuser, honest!

As a Scottish Grocer affiliate and Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I received the Coronation cup and saucer and tea towel from The Bee’s Knees British Imports as part of our collaboration.

There’s also no need for any special equipment, other than a teapot, to make a satisfying cup of British tea using loose leaf tea versus teabags. You may have already read my tutorial on how to make a proper cup of British tea using teabags.

The Bees Knees British Imports offered this fabulous giveaway: a Victoria Eggs Coronation cup and saucer, and matching tea towel (over $60 value) to celebrate the upcoming British Coronation.

(Plus a 10% discount code below.)

CONGRATULATIONS TO BONNIE FROM MONROE, MI, WHO WON THIS GIVEAWAY!

My Qualifications as a “British Tea Expert”

I have both experience and knowledge in regards to British tea, in more ways than one. I’ve been drinking tea practically since I was born! Babies are/were given bottles with milk and a little tea in the UK. I even have a scar on my left arm (from when I was 3 or 4 years old) from reaching up for a cup of tea which had just been poured.

Apparently, I really wanted my tea in a hurry and spilled the hot liquid, which didn’t have milk in it, onto my arm. The reason I still have a scar is because a.) boiling water was used to make the tea, and b.) my grandmother put butter on it 😫.

I have had tea all over the UK: in homes, restaurants, and 5 star hotels (for afternoon tea). My tea-making tutorial is trustworthy, and I double-checked my method in Paul Burrell’s book, In the Royal Manner, and it’s spot on (he was Princess Diana’s butler).

You Have Probably Never Tasted Good Tea! (If you Think you Don’t Like Tea)

I want to preface this with saying that if you have only tasted tea that’s made in the US with Lipton tea bags and hot water, and decided it’s not your cup of tea (sorry, couldn’t resist!) I DO NOT BLAME YOU! This “tea” is a travesty and it’s definitely not British! Honestly, it’s nothing like a real cup of British tea! 

Do you really think the tradition would have lasted as long and the Royal Family would be having tea every day if it wasn’t an enjoyable experience? I have converted many non-tea drinkers who have visited me. When they tell me they don’t like tea, but I convince them to try a cup, they are always stunned (even if it’s made with teabags). Speaking of teabags, have you tried Taylor Swift’s chai cookie recipe or these Earl Grey cookies? They’re perfect with a cup of tea.

If you have read my “how to make a proper cup of (British) tea” post, then you’ll already have the basic idea and simplicity of how to make loose leaf tea. I think most people may think there’s more to it than there really is! However, there are a few things that will definitely impact the flavor of your cup of tea. 

“If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are excited, it will calm you.”

-William Ewart Gladstone, former Prime Minister of Great Britain

What Makes the Best Tasting Cup of Tea?

There are several things that need to be checked off when making British loose leaf tea (or even when using tea bags). 

1.  Use boiling water. I don’t mean hot water, I mean 212℉ (100℃) water. If you don’t think it makes a difference, then make tea using very hot water, and make another pot using boiling water, and you’ll understand. There’s a reason every British home has an electric kettle.

NOTE: do not make your tea in your kettle; you should only use water in your kettle.

2. Use a teapot. You can’t get the same outcome when brewing tea in a cup, or mug. It doesn’t need to be fancy, but you do need a pot. Don’t try making it in another container or a pot, as you won’t have the same outcome. 

3. As always, use good quality loose leaf tea. How will you end up with a good cup of tea if you don’t start with good quality tea leaves?

Here’s an example, and a tea I really enjoy: Brodie’s teas from Scotland.

The Scottish Grocer online will provide you with an array of choices for loose leaf teas, and as I’m an affiliate, if you place an order, use this link THE SCOTTISH GROCER and code CHRISTINASCUCINA for 10% off your entire purchase. Isn’t it a beautiful caddy? I think it makes a perfect hostess gift! 

What Does Loose Leaf Tea Look Like?

Here are two samples of loose leaf tea. The one on the left is a black Assam tea, and the one on the right is the black Scottish breakfast tea from Brodies.

Afternoon tea is just so civilized, especially when you add scones, cream and jam.

Once you learn how to make loose leaf tea, all you need next is a little afternoon tea time! You can have your tea with (British) biscuits. You can make afternoon tea scones to enjoy with your cuppa. You can also make finger sandwiches and have a full on English party, for example, to celebrate the Coronation! 

“Tea is the only simple pleasure left on us.”
                                                                  – Oscar Wilde

When Should you Have Tea?

Afternoon tea time is different than asking when should you have tea. You can make a pot of loose leaf tea (or use teabags) any time of day. It’s perfect with breakfast, instead of coffee. In fact, it’s always a part of a full British breakfast, like this Scottish fry-up with Lorne sausage.

Now I’m excited to show you how to make loose leaf tea, so you can try it and see what you think! And if you’re lucky, you may end up with the beautiful Victoria Eggs brand, Charles III Coronation cup and saucer, and the matching tea towel! Don’t forget to check out all the amazing china, housewares, textiles and even British food at The Bee’s Knees British Imports.  GIVEAWAY DETAILS BELOW.

How to Make Loose Leaf Tea

by Christina Conte                                makes 2 cups
FULL PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS BELOW

What you Need to Make Loose Leaf Tea

• a 2 or 4 cup teapot (preferably made in the UK or Europe/USA) 
• loose leaf tea
• a kettle 

Step 1. WARM THE TEAPOT: Boil about a cup of water in the kettle, and pour it into the teapot. Put the lid on and leave it.

Step 2. MAKE THE TEA: Add about 2 cups of COLD water to the kettle and just before it comes to a boil, empty the hot water from the teapot, and bring it over to the kettle. Add 2 to 3 teaspoonfuls of loose leaf tea directly into the teapot (or you can use an infuser if you have one). Pour the boiling water into the teapot, close the lid. Note: I never measure my water for tea. Once you have made tea a few times, you will get a feel for how you like to make it: more or less tea leaves, or water, how long to steep it, etc.

Step 3. STEEP THE TEA: Set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes (I prefer 5 minutes), and allow the loose leaf tea to brew. If you have a tea cosy, you can put it on the teapot.

That’s it: you’ve made loose leaf tea! I told you there was nothing to it! Now all that’s left to do is to pour and enjoy.

If you have a tea strainer, you can use it to catch any stray leaves that may go into your cup. However, as you can see here, the tea leaves fall to the bottom of the pot, so it’s not necessary. Any stray leaves that may go into your cup will also fall to the bottom, so just give your tea a second to settle if you stir it with a spoon.

I take my tea with milk only, but it’s perfectly acceptable to add a little sugar. I highly recommend trying out any of my scone recipes. My afternoon tea scones are a classic, but you can also make these apple scones, which are very easy to make. Take your pick from any of these scone recipes.

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How to Make Loose Leaf Tea

Servings: 2 cups

Prep Time: 3 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute minute

Additional Time: 4 minutes minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes minutes

The proper way to make British loose leaf tea.

5 from 10 votes

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Special Equipment

• 1 teapot (2-4 cups, preferably made in the UK or Europe/USA) 
• 1 kettle

Ingredients

• 3 tsp loose leaf tea (quality)
• 2 cups water (cold)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Warm the teapot:

• Boil about a cup of water in the kettle, and pour it into the teapot. Put the lid on and leave it.

Make the tea:

• Add the cold water to the kettle and just before it comes to a boil, empty the hot water from the teapot, and bring it over to the kettle. Add the loose leaf tea directly into the teapot (or you can use an infuser if you have one). Pour the boiling water into the teapot, and close the lid. 

Steep the tea:

• Set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes (I prefer 5 minutes), and allow the loose leaf tea to brew. If you have a tea cosy, you can put it on the teapot.

Notes

• It is critical to the flavor of the tea for the water to be boiling, but don't let it boil for long. Don't re-boil water, either.
• Use good quality loose leaf tea for the best results.
• Add the milk after pouring the tea. (Do not add cream to British tea, only whole milk.)
• Sugar is optional.
• If you have a tea strainer, you can use it to catch any stray leaves that may go into your cup. However, the tea leaves fall to the bottom of the pot, so it's not necessary. Any stray leaves that may go into your cup will also fall to the bottom, so just give your tea a second to settle if you stir it with a spoon.
Once you have made tea a few times, you will get a feel for how you like to make it: more or less tea leaves, or water, how long to steep it, etc.

Did you Make this Recipe?

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Author: Christina Conte

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