How to Steep the Perfect Cup of Tea {with Free Printable Guide}

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Bigelow Tea. 

All opinions are mine alone.

Have you ever wondered how to steep the perfect cup of tea?

It's not too difficult to create the perfect cup of deliciousness...

#BigelowVIP, #AmericasTea, #CollectiveBias

"Tea time is a simple luxury best left unhurried."
-Eunice and David Bigelow

Read below the best way to create your own simple luxury.

Before chatting about steeping...some of the magic of a delicious cup of tea actually starts before the water boils. I love that Bigelow Tea has this special foil pouch to ensure maximum freshness for each cup. When we were at Bigelow's headquarters in Fairfield, Connecticut, we were able to see the tea going into the foil pouches...so neat! One of my favorite tea moments is the fragrance that is released once the pouch is torn!

It was also really helpful to learn the differences in the different types of teas. Each one has a slightly different steeping time, for the perfect cup!

• Black Tea is the result of leaves that are crushed and exposed to air for several hours. It is fully oxidized.
• Oolong Tea {which is fun to say!} is the result of leaves that only receive a few hours of exposure to the air. It is semi-oxidized.
• Green Tea is the result of leaves that are immediately pan-fired or steamed.
• White Tea is made from select tender leaves and silvery buds that are air dried. White tea is the lease processed of all of the teas.
• Herb Tea is the delicious infusion that results from the blending of fine herbs, fruits, and spices. It's not actually made from the tea bush.
• Rooibos Tea is a red-colored herb tea made from fermented leaves of the South African Aspalathus linearis bush.

source: Bigelow Tea: For Mind, Body and Spirit brochure

If you'd ever like to see Bigelow Tea up close and personal, Bigelow Tea’s Charleston Tea Plantation is America’s largest working tea garden. Guests are invited to the Charleston Tea Plantation for weddings, tours and even a variety of music festivals. It’s a tea-riffic way to experience historic Southern culture and a living piece of American history!

To steep the perfect cup of tea, you'll want to start with fresh, cold water {it's essential!}. The air bubbles in the water are what make the tea leaves unfurl and release their flavor.

• Black, Oolong, Herb, and Rooibos Teas: always bring water to a rolling boil, then immediately pour over tea. Black teas are best enjoyed when steeped for 1-2 minutes. Herb teas are best enjoyed when steeped for 3-5 minutes.
• Green and White Teas: Bring water just to the point where tiny bubbles are beginning to form, then pour over tea. Green teas are best enjoyed when steeped for 2-4 minutes.

source: Bigelow Tea: For Mind, Body and Spirit brochure

I also created a simple chalkboard printable to keep these instructions close to my tea kettle...it makes it easy to make the perfect cup.

Feel free to download your own tea steeping printable below.

What is your favorite kind of tea? 

Bigelow Tea is All American: 100% American made by an American Family; an American Company for the American consumer. And, it's available at an American Retailer, Walmart. To learn more about Bigelow, click here for their Facebook page and here for their Twitter. 

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