Tea Equipment & Brewing Guide: Complete Guide to Tea Tools

Essential Tea Equipment

To brew loose leaf tea properly, you need a few essential pieces of equipment. While you can start simple, having the right tools makes a significant difference in the quality of your tea.

Must-Have Equipment:

Teapot or mug: Vessel for brewing and serving
Tea infuser or strainer: Essential for containing loose leaves
Tea kettle: For heating water (temperature control is helpful)
Timer: Essential for proper steeping times

For a complete beginner's guide, read our How to Make Tea guide.

Choosing a Teapot

The teapot is the centerpiece of your tea service. Choosing the right one depends on how many people you serve, your tea preferences, and your aesthetic taste.

Porcelain/Ceramic

Excellent heat retention, doesn't affect flavor, elegant appearance.

Best for: Most tea types, traditional afternoon tea

Glass

Beautiful for green/white teas, allows you to see the tea, modern aesthetic.

Best for: Green tea, white tea, visual appeal

Cast Iron

Keeps tea hot longest, durable, traditional Japanese style.

Best for: Strong teas, keeping tea warm

Size Considerations

3-4 cup for 2-3 people, 6-8 cup for larger gatherings.

Note: "Cup" refers to 6-ounce cups

For detailed guidance, read our complete guide to choosing a teapot.

Tea Infusers & Strainers

A tea infuser or strainer is essential for brewing loose leaf tea. It allows the leaves to expand fully while keeping them contained, so you can remove them at the perfect time.

Types of Infusers:

• Basket infusers: Best for expansion, easy to use
• Ball infusers: Compact, good for travel
• Strainers: Used when pouring from teapot
• Built-in infusers: Convenient in teapots

Learn more in our Tea Infusers 101 guide.

Complete Tea Sets

A complete tea set includes everything you need for proper afternoon tea service: teapot, tea cups and saucers, sugar bowl, creamer, and often serving plates.

What's Included:

• Teapot (with or without infuser)
• Tea cups and saucers (typically 4-6 pieces)
• Sugar bowl with lid
• Creamer or milk jug
• Serving tray (sometimes)

For guidance on choosing a tea set, read our complete tea set guide.

Brewing Basics

Making great tea involves four simple steps: choosing your tea, heating water to the right temperature, steeping for the recommended time, and removing the tea leaves.

Basic Steps:

1.Measure 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces of water
2.Heat water to the correct temperature for your tea type
3.Pour water over tea leaves and steep for recommended time
4.Remove tea leaves promptly when steeping is complete

For detailed instructions, read our complete brewing guide.

Water Temperature Guide

Water temperature is crucial for making great tea. Different types of tea require different temperatures to extract the best flavor without bitterness.

Boiling (212°F / 100°C)

Black tea, Herbal tea, Rooibos

Just Below Boiling (195-205°F / 90-96°C)

Oolong tea (darker oolongs can handle full boil)

Simmering (175-185°F / 80-85°C)

Green tea, White tea, Delicate teas

Steeping Times by Tea Type

Black Tea: 3-5 minutes

Stronger teas (Assam): 4-5 min | Delicate (Darjeeling): 3-4 min

Green Tea: 2-3 minutes

Can become bitter if overstepped. Start with 2 minutes and adjust.

White Tea: 4-5 minutes

Delicate flavor, needs longer steep to develop.

Oolong Tea: 3-5 minutes

Depends on oxidation level.

Herbal Tea: 5-7 minutes

No tannins, so won't become bitter. Can steep longer for stronger flavor.

Pro Tip: Set a timer! It's easy to forget and oversteep your tea, which can make it bitter.

Common Brewing Mistakes

❌Using water that's too hot for green tea - Makes it bitter
❌Oversteeping - Especially black tea becomes astringent
❌Not warming the teapot - Cold pot = lukewarm tea
❌Using stale water - Always use fresh, cold water
❌Reboiling water - Reduces oxygen, affects flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment do I need to brew loose leaf tea?

To brew loose leaf tea, you need a teapot or mug, a tea infuser or strainer, loose leaf tea, and hot water. Optional but helpful equipment includes a tea kettle with temperature control, a timer, and a tea cozy to keep your tea warm.

What is the best teapot material?

Porcelain and ceramic teapots offer excellent heat retention without affecting flavor. Glass teapots are beautiful for green and white teas, while cast iron keeps tea hot longer but can affect delicate flavors.

Do I need a tea infuser?

Yes, a tea infuser or strainer is essential for brewing loose leaf tea. It allows the tea leaves to expand fully while keeping them contained, so you can remove them at the perfect time for optimal flavor.

What temperature should I use for different teas?

Use boiling water (212°F) for black tea and herbal tea. Use 195-205°F for oolong tea. Use 175-185°F for green and white teas. Water temperature is crucial - too hot water can make green tea bitter.

How long should I steep tea?

Steep black tea for 3-5 minutes, green tea for 2-3 minutes, white tea for 4-5 minutes, oolong tea for 3-5 minutes, and herbal tea for 5-7 minutes. Set a timer to avoid oversteeping, which can make tea bitter.