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Tea is, at its heart, a simple pleasure. On its core, hot water and a leaf is all it takes. And yet, in that simplicity lies enormous possibility. The difference between a cup that is merely warm and brown and one that is truly alive, comes down almost entirely to how you brew it.
Every Dilmah tea begins with a handpicked leaf. The topmost, freshest shoot of the plant, selected with the care that only a family of tea growers can give. That leaf deserves to be treated well. Here is how.
What you need
You do not need much. A good loose leaf tea, an infuser or strainer, a kettle, and a cup. The Dilmah Perfect Cup Infuser was designed precisely for this. It sits over your cup, gives the leaves room to breathe and expand, and lifts away cleanly when the time is right. Simple, honest, effective.
Water temperature
This is where most people go wrong, and it is a small thing that makes an enormous difference. Boiling water (100°C) is too aggressive for most teas. It scalds the leaf and draws bitterness to the surface, masking the actual flavours.
A simple guide:
- Black tea — 95–100°C. Robust and full-bodied, black tea welcomes near-boiling water. Brew for 3–5 minutes.
- Green tea — 75–85°C. Cooler water preserves the fresh, grassy character that makes green tea so alive. Brew for 2–3 minutes.
- White tea — 70–80°C. The most delicate of all. Treat it gently. Brew for 2–4 minutes.
- Herbal infusions (chamomile, peppermint) — 95–100°C. These are not true teas but they welcome full boiling water. Brew for 5 minutes.
Without a thermometer, bring the kettle to a full boil, then allow it to rest for 2–3 minutes before brewing green tea, or 1 minute for white tea.
Never re-boil your water
This is a principle Dilmah has always championed. Water contains dissolved gases, carbon dioxide in particular, that affect how the tea's polyphenols express themselves in the cup. Re-boiling drives out those gases, leaving water that is chemically flat. The result is a brew that lacks brightness and character. Use freshly boiled water, always.
How much tea
Begin with one teaspoon (approximately 2–3 grams) per 200ml of water. From there, adjust to your preference. More leaf for strength, less for subtlety. Unlike a tea bag, you are entirely in control.
Give the leaves room
This is the gift of loose leaf tea. The leaves can unfurl to release their full character. They can double or triple in size when they meet hot water. A cramped infuser produces a cramped cup.
The result
A properly brewed cup of loose leaf tea is unmistakably different. More complex, more alive.
If you are new to loose leaf, the Dilmah t-Series range is a place to begin. The Moroccan Mint Green Tea and Pure Chamomile Flowers are calming, and deeply enjoyable from the very first cup.