Loose-Leaf Tea Guide: Choosing and Gongfu Brewing
Choosing loose-leaf tea becomes easier when you first consider flavour, brewing style, and how strong you want the tea to be. This guide introduces the main tea types and TeeTao’s starting points for brewing them at home using the traditional Gongfu method.
How do I choose the right loose-leaf tea?
If you enjoy fresh, vegetal flavours, green tea is a good place to start. For a soft and delicate cup, try white tea. Oolong tea ranges from floral and creamy to deeply roasted. For a fuller cup, explore black tea; for deep, earthy flavours, try ripe pu’er tea. If you enjoy floral aromas, jasmine tea is a natural choice.
Gongfu brewing basics
- Use fresh water and a small gaiwan or teapot. The tea-to-water ratio depends on the tea type and product.
- Choose the water temperature according to the tea. Delicate green and jasmine teas are brewed at a lower temperature, while black tea, roasted oolong and ripe pu’er need hotter water.
- Pour each infusion out completely. Gongfu brewing uses more leaves and much shorter infusions than Western-style brewing.
- Most high-quality whole-leaf teas can be infused several times. Adjust later infusions according to taste.
Gongfu ratios, water temperatures and infusion times
- Green tea: about 1 g of tea per 50 ml of water, 70–80 °C. First infusion about 50 seconds.
- White tea: about 1 g per 30 ml, 80 °C. First infusion about 50 seconds.
- Oolong tea: about 1 g per 30 ml, 95–100 °C. First infusion about 50 seconds.
- Black tea: about 1 g per 30 ml, 95–100 °C. Pour out immediately after adding the water. Lengthen later infusions slightly according to taste.
- Ripe pu’er tea: about 1 g per 20 ml, 100 °C. Rinse the loose leaves quickly with hot water and discard the rinse. Pour out the first drinking infusions almost immediately, then gradually lengthen the infusion time as the flavour becomes lighter.
- Jasmine tea: about 1 g per 50 ml, 75–80 °C. First infusion about 50 seconds.
Please note: These instructions are based on a representative TeeTao product from each tea category and are intended as a practical starting point. The ideal amount of leaves, water temperature and infusion time may vary slightly between individual products because of the harvest, leaf size, age and processing method. Always check the product-specific brewing instructions as well.
What equipment do I need?
For Gongfu brewing, use a gaiwan or small teapot, a fairness pitcher and small cups. A kettle with temperature control is helpful for delicate teas. Explore our teaware and choose equipment that suits your brewing habits.
Frequently asked questions about loose-leaf tea
How much loose-leaf tea should I use?
For Gongfu brewing, the starting ratio varies by tea: approximately 1 g per 20–50 ml of water. Use the tea-type guide above and check the product-specific instructions. To make the tea stronger, adjust the amount of leaves slightly rather than making the infusion much longer.
Can loose-leaf tea be infused again?
Yes. High-quality whole tea leaves can usually be infused several times. Adjust later infusions according to the tea’s strength and your taste.
How should tea be stored?
Store tea in an airtight container in a dry, cool place, protected from light and strong odours.
Where can I buy tea in Helsinki?
You can order tea from our online shop or visit Teetao Teehuone at Uudenmaankatu 19–21, LH8, 00120 Helsinki. Read more about our tea house in Helsinki.