Tea Brewing
Tea-to-Water Ratios That Actually Work
How much leaf per cup, why teaspoons lie, and the cheap scale habit that fixed our inconsistent brews.
Key takeaways
- Start at 2g of leaf per 7 oz (200 ml) of water and adjust from there.
- Volume measures are unreliable because leaf density varies wildly.
- Stronger tea means more leaf, not longer steeping.
The starting ratio
2 grams per 7 oz (200 ml) (roughly 1 teaspoon per cup) is the western baseline. Fluffy white teas may need double that by volume; dense rolled oolong needs far less. Whatever ratio you choose, match it with the right heat — our tea water temperature guide covers each type.
Recommended products
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Digital tea timer with presets
Magnetic kitchen timer with multiple channels and preset steep times.
Why we recommend it: Thirty seconds too long turns a good green tea bitter — a timer fixes most beginner mistakes.
Variable-temperature gooseneck kettle
Electric gooseneck kettle with presets from 160°F to boiling and a hold-temp setting.
Why we recommend it: Green and white tea scorch above 180°F — presets take the guesswork out of every steep.
Why a scale beats a teaspoon
A teaspoon of gunpowder green weighs about three times a teaspoon of white peony. A $12 kitchen scale removes the guesswork and pays for itself in wasted tea.
Also worth having
Wide-basket stainless tea infuser
Fine-mesh basket infuser that fits most mugs and small teapots.
Why we recommend it: Room for leaves to unfurl is the single biggest flavor upgrade for loose-leaf.
Making tea stronger the right way
If your cup is weak, add leaf. Extending the steep instead pulls tannins and gives you strength with a bitter edge attached.
Recommended products to get started
Double-wall glass tea mug with lid
12 oz insulated borosilicate mug with an infuser basket and lid.
Why we recommend it: Keeps tea hot, stays cool to hold, and you can judge strength by color.
Stainless electric kettle, 1.7 L
Fast-boiling cordless kettle with a concealed element and auto shut-off.
Why we recommend it: The cheapest reliable way to get hot water; rest it a few minutes for delicate leaf.
Frequently asked questions
- What ratio for a large teapot?
- Scale linearly: a 24 oz (700 ml) pot wants about 7g. Slightly reduce it if the pot will sit for a while before the last cup is poured.
- Is gongfu brewing different?
- Very. Gongfu uses around 5g per 3.5 oz (100 ml) with steeps measured in seconds. It is worth trying once you are comfortable with the basics.
Free Tea Brewing Cheat Sheet: Temps, Times & Ratios
Keep the numbers from this guide on one printable page — water temperatures, steep times and leaf-to-water ratios for 10 kinds of tea.
Related reading
Loose-Leaf Tea Water Temperature Guide
The single biggest cause of bitter tea is water that is too hot. Here are the temperatures we brew at, by tea type.
7 min read
Steeping Time Guide: How Long to Brew Each Tea
Timing charts for every major tea type, plus how to re-steep leaves so one scoop makes three good cups.
6 min read
Cold Brew Tea: The Easiest Method for Beginners
Cold brewing is nearly impossible to get wrong, needs no kettle, and produces a sweeter, smoother cup.
5 min readMore in Tea Brewing, browse all tea guides, or use the tea converter to scale this recipe to your teapot.