How Many Times Should You Brew Tea? Different Brewing Times fo Tea Leaves

Tea leaves can be brewed multiple times, but it is best to brew bagged tea only once, while loose leaf tea should not be brewed more than three times.

Some people like to repeatedly brew tea leaves until the flavor is gone, while others prefer to change the leaves after one or two brews. Which method is correct? How many times should a cup of tea be brewed? According to experts, although the number of times tea leaves can be brewed depends largely on personal taste—some prefer weak tea while others like it strong—from a nutritional absorption perspective, it is best to brew bagged tea only once and loose leaf tea no more than three times.

Tea leaves contain cancer-inhibiting polyphenols, blood sugar-lowering polysaccharides, caffeine that stimulates the central nervous system, and various amino acids and vitamins. The amount of these nutrients that are extracted depends on the number of brews. Generally, the larger the tea leaf particles, the slower the nutrients are released; the smaller the particles, the faster they are released.

Compared to loose leaf tea, bagged tea leaves are processed through cutting and rolling, which thoroughly breaks down the leaf cells and results in smaller particles. During the first 3-5 minute brew, 80%-90% of the nutrients are released. By the second brew, the remaining 10% of nutrients are also mostly extracted. Therefore, experts recommend brewing bagged tea only once to avoid losing nutritional benefits and compromising flavor. Loose leaf tea, with its larger particles, should be brewed longer the first time, around 5 minutes, to release 60%-80% of its nutrients. By the second brew, 80%-90% of the nutrients will be extracted, and after the third brew, the extraction rate will exceed 95%, making further brews nutritionally pointless.

Recommended Brewing Times for Different Types of Tea

• Green Tea: Rich in polyphenols and caffeine, green tea should be brewed 2-3 times. Use water at 70-80°C (158-176°F) for 1-2 minutes for the first brew. Increase the temperature and steeping time slightly with each subsequent brew.

• Black Tea: Fermented black tea has lower polyphenol content and higher caffeine content. It can be brewed 3-5 times. Use water at 90-95°C (194-203°F) and steep for 2-3 minutes.

• White Tea: Delicate white tea, rich in theanine and polysaccharides, should be brewed 1-2 times. Use water at 70-80°C (158-176°F) and steep for 1-2 minutes.

• Dark Tea (Pu-erh): With its post-fermentation process, dark tea has low polyphenol content and becomes more mellow with age. It can be brewed 7-10 times. Use boiling water and steep for 5-10 minutes.

Other Factors Affecting Brewing Times

• Tea Quality: Higher quality tea leaves are more resilient to multiple brews.
• Personal Preference: Those who prefer strong tea can increase the number of brews, while those who like weaker tea can reduce the brews.

Suggestions:

• Adjust the number of brews based on the type of tea and personal preference.
• Avoid brewing the same tea leaves too many times to prevent loss of nutrients and flavor.
• Observe the color, aroma, and taste of the tea. If there is a noticeable change, it's time to replace the tea leaves.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you enjoy the optimal flavor and nutritional benefits from your tea.