Brewing black tea at home doesn’t just save you money—as long as you nail the key steps, it tastes every bit as good as what you get at a professional drinks shop. Plus, the tea you brew makes a great base for milk tea, boba tea, and other drinks. Give this guide a try:
Pro-Level Black Tea Brewing Method
Most commercial black tea bags on the market weigh around 40 to 75 grams. The recipe below uses a standard 40-gram tea bag:
Keep in mind that even though we call it “brewing” black tea, you’re actually just steeping it. Boiling the tea leaves directly in boiling water will make the tea astringent. Don’t stir it while it steeps, and don’t squeeze the liquid out of the bag when you take it out—that leftover liquid carries a harsh bitterness. Don’t let a frugal mindset ruin a great pot of tea!
Use 2,000 cc of water. Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat, and let it sit for 1 minute so it cools down slightly. Then, drop in the 40-gram tea bag and let it steep with the lid on for 10 minutes.
Note: Letting the boiled water sit for 1 minute helps lower the temperature; water that is too hot easily turns the tea bitter and astringent.
Sugar Ratio for Black Tea
Sticking with the 2,000 cc water and 40 grams of tea ratio, you’ll want about 150 grams of sugar. There’s no strict rule for the sugar ratio—feel free to adjust it to your taste.
The key is to add the sugar right before drinking; adding it too early causes the tea to turn sour and astringent if left sitting. Pro tip: Stir-fry or caramelize the sugar in a pan beforehand to give it a rich, toasted aroma. If you want a next-level cup of tea, try swapping the sugar for honey instead!
If you’re brewing at home using loose-leaf tea, simply scale down the water and tea proportionally. A good ratio is 7.5 grams of black tea leaves to 1,000 cc of water. The steeping time and method stay pretty much the same. Once you strain out the leaves, feel free to add your favorite sweeteners or toppings. Alternatively, let it cool down, pop it in the fridge, and you’ll have a delicious iced black tea ready for tomorrow!