Western Brewing with Glass Teapot

How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea with a Glass Teapot

This brewing guide is designed for a single serving using 150 ml (5 oz) of water. For two people, simply increase the water to 300 ml (10 oz) and add an additional 1–2 grams of tea, while keeping the same water temperature and infusion times. This allows you to maintain the same balance, flavor profile, and extraction method when brewing a larger serving.

1. Measure the Tea

For 150 ml (5 oz) of water:

  • Use 3 - 5 grams of loose leaf tea
  • About 1 - 2 heaping teaspoons for most whole leaf teas

2. Heat Fresh Filtered Water

Use high quality filtered or bottled water.

Recommended temperatures:

Temperature directly affects sweetness, bitterness, and aroma of tea.

3. Preheat the Teapot (Recommended)

Add hot water to the empty glass teapot, swirl gently, discard the water.

This stabilizes brewing temperature and improves consistency.

4. Add Leaves Directly to the Teapot

Place the measured leaves directly into the glass teapot.

The glass design allows the leaves to expand fully and circulate evenly.

5. Add 150 ml of Water

Pour evenly over the leaves, ensuring full saturation.

Start timing immediately.

Leaves will begin to unfurl and circulate naturally in the water.

6. Steep

  • White tea:      1 - 2 minutes
  • Green tea:      1 - 2 minutes
  • Oolong tea:   2 - 3 minutes
  • Black tea:       2 - 3 minutes
  • Pu’er tea:       2 - 3 minutes (see rinse note bellow)

If stronger flavor is desired, increase leaf amount slightly rather than extending steep time.

7. Pour Completely

When steeping is finished:

  • Pour all liquid out through the strainer lid into your cup.
  • Do not leave water sitting in the pot with the leaves.

Because the leaves remain inside the teapot, any remaining liquid will continue extracting and cause bitterness.

8. Re-Infusion

High-quality loose leaf tea can typically be steeped 2 - 4 times in 150 ml.

For additional infusions:

  • Use the same temperature.
  • Increase steep time by 30 - 60 seconds with each infusion.

Later infusions often highlight aroma and sweetness more than body.

Adjustment Guide

  • Too bitter → lower temperature or shorten steep time.
  • Too weak → increase leaf amount slightly.
  • Too astringent → pour more quickly and completely after steeping.

This loose-leaf-in-pot method allows full leaf expansion and produces a clean, balanced Western-style infusion.

Special Instructions for Pu’er Tea (Rinse Step)

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Next Steps