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.
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.
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.
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.
About the author
Written by the Leaf & Steep editorial team. We brew, weigh and re-test everything we publish at home with ordinary kitchen equipment — no lab, no sponsorships influencing the verdict. How we test.
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