The Ultimate Brewing Guide for Zenya Tea Shop: How to Brew the Perfect Cup Every Time If you’ve just purchased one of our premium loose-leaf teas, welcome! At Zenya Tea Shop, we believe every cup is a moment of calm. Below is a detailed guide to help you get the most out of your tea experience — whether you’re working with black, green, oolong, herbal or matcha. Why Proper Brewing Matters When you brew tea correctly, you unlock three major benefits: Flavor clarity – Proper water temperature, leaf amount, and steep time put the leaves’ full character on display. Aroma & experience – From the first whiff of steam to the final sip, brewing becomes a ritual of mindfulness. Maximized benefit – For antioxidant-rich teas (like many in our “Antioxidant” collection) the brewing method matters for extraction. Optimizing your brewing method is as important as choosing the right tea. And with our curated blends and loose-leaf selections at Zenya Tea Shop, you’ve taken a great first step. How to Brew Loose-Leaf Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide Here’s a universal method you can adapt to most of our teas (Black, Green, Oolong, Herbal). We’ll include variant tweaks for each type further down. Step 1: Choose your tools Use a clean teapot, mug or infuser—and ideally filtered water (to keep flavors pure). Pre-heat your cup or pot by rinsing it with hot water. This helps maintain the proper temperature when you brew. Step 2: Measure your leaves A good starting point: About 1 teaspoon (≈2–3 g) per 8 oz (240 ml) of water For stronger flavor, increase to 1.5 teaspoons (≈4–5 g) per 8 oz Step 3: Heat the water For black teas: use boiling water (≈100 °C / 212 °F) For green teas: use cooler water (≈75-85 °C / 167-185 °F) For oolong teas: somewhere in between (≈90-95 °C / 194-203 °F) For herbal / fruit blends: you can use boiling or near-boiling water Step 4: Steep time Black teas: 3–5 minutes Green teas: 2–3 minutes Oolong teas: 3–4 minutes (or shorter if you’ll re-steep) Herbal/fruit blends: 5–7 minutes or more, as there is no risk of being overly bitter When the time is up, remove the leaves (or stop the infuser). Over-steeping may cause bitterness or astringency. Step 5: Enjoy & optionally re-steep Pour your tea and let the aroma rise. Many loose-leaf teas allow a second or even third steeping: increase the steep time slightly with each reuse of the leaves. Brewing Tips for Specific Tea Types from Zenya Tea Shop 1. Black Tea Use freshly boiled water. Use approx. 1 teaspoon per 8 oz. Steep for around 3–4 minutes (some richer blends 4–5 minutes). Example: Our Elderberry Tea (a black tea blend) features bold fruit and floral notes—this method brings them out nicely. Zenya Tea Shop +2 Zenya Tea Shop +2 2. Green Tea Water should be cooler (≈75-85 °C) to avoid burning the leaves. Use about 1 teaspoon per 8 oz. Steep for 2–3 minutes. Ideal for a light, crisp flavor profile that highlights vegetal or fresh notes. 3. Oolong Tea Use water around 90-95 °C. Use slightly more leaves since oolong tends to be rolled/heavier. Steep 3–4 minutes; many oolongs shine in multiple infusions. At Zenya, our Oolong collection emphasizes hand-rolled leaves and complex flavor layers. Zenya Tea Shop 4. Herbal / Fruit / Caffeine-Free Blends These can generally handle boiling water (≈100 °C). Use about 1 teaspoon per 8 oz (or a bit more if you prefer stronger). Steep 5–7 minutes. Great for relaxation, digestive benefit, or as a caffeine-free alternative. 5. Matcha (if applicable) Use approx. 1 g of matcha per 60–70 ml of water at about 75-80 °C. Whisk in a “W” motion until frothy. Drink immediately. Cold-Brewing Method If you’d like a refreshing iced tea version (especially for delicate leaves or herbal blends): Use approx. ½ teaspoon (≈1–1.5 g) of leaves per 8 oz (240 ml) of cold water. Place leaves and water in the fridge and steep for 4–6 hours or overnight. Strain and enjoy chilled. Bonus: You may then reuse the leaves for a hot brew later. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Q: Can I use tea bags instead of loose‐leaf? A: Yes—but loose-leaf gives more room for the leaves to expand and release flavor. Our Zenya Tea Shop blends are crafted for loose-leaf performance. Q: How many times can I re-steep the leaves? A: It depends on the tea type. Many oolongs and high-quality green teas can go 2-3 infusions. Increase the steep time by ~30 seconds each time. Q: My tea tastes bitter—what did I do wrong? A: Likely one of these: over-steeped (time too long), water too hot (for green or delicate teas), or too many leaves. Try reducing one of those variables. Q: How do I store my loose-leaf tea? A: Keep it in an airtight container, away from light, strong odors, and extreme temperature/humidity. This preserves flavor and freshness. Why Choose Zenya Tea Shop for Your Brewing Journey At Zenya Tea Shop we believe tea is more than a drink—it’s a moment of calm, a ritual, a pause in the day. Our site emphasizes this ethos: “Pause. Brew. Sip.” Zenya Tea Shop We carry a wide range of categories: Organic Tea, Black, Green, Matcha, Herbal, Oolong, Caffeine-Free. Zenya Tea Shop Our “Tea Time” section even highlights a dedicated Brewing Guide (like this one) so you can get things right from the start. Zenya Tea Shop Final Thoughts & Brewing Ritual Remember: brewing tea isn’t just about mechanics. It’s also about mindset. Choose a moment to pause. Measure thoughtfully. Watch the leaves unfurl. Breathe in the aroma. Sip with intention. Follow the guide above, and you’ll get consistently great results from our Zenya Tea Shop blends. Once you have your preferred steep time and leaf amount dialed in, you’ll find that making tea becomes a soothing ritual—not just a beverage. Enjoy every sip. May your cup bring calm, clarity and enjoyment. — The Zenya Tea Shop Team
