How to Brew Japanese Tea

Japanese tea can be steeped several times and you only need to raise the temperature/time with each steeping to make the most of the leaves.

Hot Water Steeping

Suitable for all Japanese Green Tea

  • Water amount: 180 cc / 180 ml / 1 tea cup / 6 oz
  • Water temperature: 90–100˚C / 194–212˚F
  • Amount of tea leaves: 5 g / 1 tbsp
  1. Place dry tea leaves in teapot.
  2. Pour hot water in teapot in a circular motion in order to soak all tea leaves evenly.
  3. Wait 25–30 seconds (the longer you wait, the stronger the tea will be).
  4. Pour into cup and enjoy!

Warm Water Steeping

Recommended for Gyokuro and High Quality Sencha

  • Water amount: 80 cc / 80 ml / 1/3 cup / 3 oz
  • Water temperature: 60–70˚C / 140–156˚F
  • Amount of tea leaves: 5 g / 1 tbsp
  1. Pour warm water into empty teapot.
  2. When teapot is warm, pour water into tea cup. This will enable you to warm the cup while cooling the water.
  3. Place dry tea leaves in teapot and wait 1 minute. After several seconds, lift lid and inhale the flavors of the tea leaves.
  4. Pour water from tea cup back into teapot in a circular motion in order to soak all tea leaves evenly.
  5. Wait 1 to 1.5 minutes (the longer you wait, the stronger the tea will be).
  6. Pour into cup and enjoy!

Cold Water Steeping

Recommended for Hojicha, Genmaicha and Wakoucha

  • Water amount: 1000 cc / 1 L / 4 cups / 34 oz
  • Water temperature: 5–20˚C / 41–68˚F
  • Amount of tea leaves: 10 g / 2 tbsp
  1. Place dry tea leaves into pitcher (you can also use a tea strainer or tea bag).
  2. Pour cold water over tea leaves.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
  4. Pour into cup and enjoy!

Ice Steeping

Recommended for Kabuse Sencha

  • Water amount: 10 ice cubes
  • Water temperature: 0˚C / 32˚F
  • Amount of tea leaves: 8 g / 1.5 tbsp
  1. Place dry tea leaves into a glass.
  2. Place ice cubes on top of tea leaves.
  3. Wait 30 to 60 minutes at room temperature for ice to melt.
  4. Collect melted drops into tea cup and enjoy The Essence of Tea!

Sakura Tea (Salted)

  • Water amount: 180 cc / 180 ml / 1 tea cup / 6 oz
  • Water temperature: 90˚C / 195˚F
  • Amount of tea leaves: 2 Sakura blossoms (salted)
  1. Take several Sakura blossoms and soak them in warm water for about 3 minutes to remove the salt. Save the water for later to adjust flavor.
  2. Place blossoms in a tea cup.
  3. Pour hot water (about 90C/195F) into the cup containing the blossoms and let steep 30 seconds.
  4. Feel free to add some of the saved salted Sakura water from the previous cup if desired.
  5. Enjoy!