Cooking Tools
Tea Steeping Guide
Browse recommended water temperatures and steep times for common tea types.
| Tea type | Water temperature | Steep time |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea | 175°F (80°C) | 2-3 minutes |
| White tea | 175°F (80°C) | 1-3 minutes |
| Oolong tea | 195°F (90°C) | 2-3 minutes |
| Black tea | 212°F (100°C) | 3-5 minutes |
| Herbal / tisane | 212°F (100°C) | 5-7 minutes |
| Pu-erh tea | 212°F (100°C) | 3-5 minutes |
| Rooibos | 212°F (100°C) | 5-6 minutes |
General starting points — steep longer for a stronger cup, shorter to avoid bitterness. Delicate green and white teas are especially sensitive to over-steeping and too-hot water.
How to use this tool
- 1Find your tea type in the table.
- 2Match the recommended water temperature and steep time.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I steep green tea too long or too hot?+
It tends to pull out excess tannins, making the tea taste bitter or astringent — cooler water and shorter steep times help avoid that.