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here goes nothing! a quick thread on tea brewing at home and a couple tricks to know when the temperature's right for your cup 
starting with white tea!
the ideal temperature for white tea is 65-70C (150-155F), usual steep time is around two minutes. any higher or longer and it's likely to not taste very good
the ideal temperature for white tea is 65-70C (150-155F), usual steep time is around two minutes. any higher or longer and it's likely to not taste very good
if you're boiling water over the stove: turn off when tiny bubbles start forming. fill the bottom cup with ambient temperature water, about a finger or two - wet the tea too! then pour on top, slowly, to avoid making your teabag float
if you're microwaving water: same deal, be careful about when the water gets too hot. stick a finger into your water if needed - if it's just about lukewarm, it's the right temperature! if not, add colder water
if you have a kettle: same process as boiling over the stove!!
if you have a kettle: same process as boiling over the stove!!
green tea! 
the ideal temperature for the majority of green teas is 75-80C (165-175F) and the brewing time is about two minutes, three max! otherwise it's going to taste very, very bitter. green tea isn't usually bitter! it's a lie! a false myth!!
the ideal temperature for the majority of green teas is 75-80C (165-175F) and the brewing time is about two minutes, three max! otherwise it's going to taste very, very bitter. green tea isn't usually bitter! it's a lie! a false myth!!
if you're boiling water over the stove: very similarly to white tea, turn off when you see it's starting to bubble, and add about a of colder water to your cup. wet your tea!! then pour the rest of the water carefully on top
microwaving/kettle: same as white tea. remember to be very careful with white and green tea, because it's easy to burn them and ruin the whole batch of leaves. do not, and i repeat do Not, trust any label that tells you to pour boiling water on green tea. they're lying to you
black tea!
the ideal temperature for most black teas is 85-95C (185-200F) and around three to four minutes of brewing! they're tricky because they get too strong very quickly, but some people like it like that because it's not necessarily bitter like green tea
the ideal temperature for most black teas is 85-95C (185-200F) and around three to four minutes of brewing! they're tricky because they get too strong very quickly, but some people like it like that because it's not necessarily bitter like green tea
if you're boiling water over the stove: before it starts to boil, the point where you can still stick a finger into it and not burn yourself. when the bubbles at the bottom start rising to the top. pour directly over the tea!
* note and disclaimer: i have a high endurance to heat, so if you don't want to stick your finger into a pot of boiling water (which is completely valid) then just wait until it's starting to bubble with a little vigor, then wait around a minute before pouring!
if you're microwaving your water: i do mine for 1:15 on 600watts and then wait 45 seconds-ish, while i prepare my teabag, before starting to brew!
oolong tea!!
the temperature can vary, but it's usually around 80-85C (170-175F) and brewing for three minutes! i prepare mine similarly to how i prepare black tea, but i usually wet my teabag and add just a liiittle bit of colder water to my cup, just to be sure!
the temperature can vary, but it's usually around 80-85C (170-175F) and brewing for three minutes! i prepare mine similarly to how i prepare black tea, but i usually wet my teabag and add just a liiittle bit of colder water to my cup, just to be sure!
herbal teas! 
herbal teas are trickier, because there can be little to no tea leaves in them. hence temperatures vary a lot, but my rule of thumb when the label says 100C (210F) is to make the water just about boil for a couple seconds, then wait 40 seconds before pouring
herbal teas are trickier, because there can be little to no tea leaves in them. hence temperatures vary a lot, but my rule of thumb when the label says 100C (210F) is to make the water just about boil for a couple seconds, then wait 40 seconds before pouring
and that's just about it! remember to always check what kind of tea you're brewing, and to be honest, after a while it's going to be second nature - you're going to know when the water is ready! but always wet your leaves and add colder water if you're unsure!!
no fancy equipment is needed to enjoy tea, tbh. all i need to make tea is leaves, a stovetop, my finger and a little intuition that comes with brewing a lot of tea dbsbsjwj kettles and teapots are good, but not a staple! all you need is to know how to handle different teas
also when you're making milk tea, remember to warm your vessel first, be it a cup or a teapot. otherwise the milk could curdle if it's cold! and it's really not fun. believe me. pour boiling water in the vessel, wait til it's warm, then discard it, /then/ add the milk
you could also go the big brain route and warm your milk beforehand but i always forget to, so i always go for the warming the cup approach. always add you tea slow and carefully, and brew it just a pinch stronger than you would usually do! i do that with chai and it's divine
