Loose leaf tea tastes better than bagged tea for a simple reason: whole leaves have room to unfurl and release their full flavor, while bags mostly hold dust. Brewing it is not complicated. You need leaves, water, something to strain with, and this guide.
What you need
A kettle, a mug or teapot, and an infuser basket, strainer, or French press. That is the whole toolkit. Pre-warm your vessel with a swirl of hot water and discard it; a warm cup keeps the temperature steady while steeping.
The golden ratio
Start with one teaspoon of loose leaves per 8 ounces of water (about one cup). Delicate teas like jasmine can go a little lighter; bold teas like masala chai and hearty herbals like hibiscus can go a little heavier. Adjust to taste after your first cup. There is no wrong answer, only your preference.
Water temperature and steep times
This is the part most beginners get wrong, and it matters more than anything else.
Black teas (English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Masala Chai, Mango Treat): full boil, 212°F. Steep 3 to 5 minutes.
Green teas (Moroccan Mint, Jasmine, Matcha whisking water): cooler, 175°F. Steep 2 to 3 minutes. Boiling water scorches green leaves and turns them bitter.
Herbal infusions (Hibiscus Berry, Apple Cider Rooibos, pure mint): full boil, 212°F. Steep 5 to 7 minutes. Herbs are forgiving; longer is usually better.
Roasted teas (Hojicha): full boil, 212°F. Steep 2 to 3 minutes.
No thermometer? Bring water to a boil, then let it sit: about 2 minutes off the boil lands near 195°F, about 4 minutes near 175°F.
The five-minute ritual
Boil. Measure. Steep. Breathe. Watch the color bloom, notice the aroma, and give the leaves their time. Then strain, sip slowly, and notice that the second cup from the same leaves often tastes different from the first. Many of our teas, especially the green and roasted ones, reward a second steep.
Common mistakes to avoid
Too-hot water on green tea (bitterness), too-short steeps on herbals (weak color and flavor), and not using enough leaf (thin cups). Fix those three and you will brew better tea than most cafes.
Start with our blends
Every bohío blend lists its character on the label to guide you. Browse our botanical blends and put the kettle on. Five minutes from now, you will be a loose leaf person.