Brewing
How Much Loose Leaf Tea Should You Use Per Cup?
Begin with about one rounded teaspoon of loose tea per cup, then adjust to the leaf and your taste. Weighing the tea makes repeat brews easier, but a spoon is enough to start.
Why a spoon is only a starting point
A teaspoon of tightly rolled tea holds more leaf than a teaspoon of long, airy leaves. Cup sizes also vary. That is why a single spoon rule cannot be exact for every tea. If you own a kitchen scale, note the weight that makes a good cup and use it again.
The UK Tea & Infusions Association offers a rounded teaspoon per cup as a simple starting measure. Follow the producer’s directions when available, especially for a delicate leaf or a large mug.
Adjust strength without losing balance
If your tea is thin, add a little more leaf before steeping much longer. If it is bitter, try less leaf or a shorter time. Changing one variable at a time will show which adjustment helped.
When making a pot for guests, measure for the water you will actually pour. A half-filled pot with a full-pot measure can become needlessly strong.