Key Facts
- The right preparation influences the taste, effect, and aromas of the tea
- Water temperature, steeping time, and vessel choice are crucial
- Lid yes or no? Depends on the type of tea
- High-quality tea needs space, time, and attention
With or without lid?
The question of whether you should steep tea with or without a lid is not trivial – it determines the temperature profile, aroma depth, and texture.
With lid:
- Keeps the temperature constant
- Promotes the unfolding of volatile aromas
- Ideal for delicate teas: Oolong, Green tea, white tea
Without lid:
- Enables gentle cooling
- Reduces bitterness in stronger varieties
- Ideal for: Pu Erh, Black tea, flavored teas
Temperature & Steeping time: The Quick Guide
Type of tea |
Temperature | Steeping time | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green tea | 70–80°C | 1–2 minutes | Cooler, otherwise bitter |
| Oolong | 85–95°C | 2–4 minutes | Multiple infusions possible |
| White Tea | 70–90°C | 2–5 minutes | Delicate leaves, mild |
| Black tea | 90–100°C | 3–5 minutes | Strong, often without a lid |
| Pu Erh (Shu) | 95–100°C | 20–40 seconds | Short, but multiple times |
| Pu Erh (Sheng) | 90–95°C | up to 2 minutes | Younger: shorter, milder infusion |
Recommendations from the Noema range
Variety |
Ziehweise |
Deckel? |
| Tie Guan Yin | 85–90°C, 2–3 Min, 2x | Yes |
| Milky Oolong | 90°C, 2–4 Min, 2x | Yes |
| Da Hong Pao | 90–95°C, 2–3 Min, 2x | Yes |
| Yunnan Pu Erh | 95–100°C, 20 Sek., 3x | No |
| Pu Erh Menghai (Sheng) | 90–95°C, 1–2 Min, 4x | No |
| Moonlit Sencha | 75°C, 1–2 Min | Yes |
