How to Brew Orthodox Tea
Orthodox tea's whole or long-broken leaves release flavour more gradually than CTC, which means the brewing approach is a little different — a bit more patience, a bit more precision.
What You'll Need
- 1 heaped teaspoon Orthodox leaf tea per cup (roughly 2.5-3g, since whole leaf is less dense)
- Fresh, filtered water, just off the boil
- No milk recommended, to appreciate the leaf's character
Method
- Bring water to a boil, then let it rest for 30 seconds off heat.
- Add the tea leaves to a teapot or infuser, giving them room to unfurl.
- Pour water over the leaves and steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you prefer it.
- Strain and pour into your cup, tasting partway through your usual steep time to find your ideal strength.
- Save the leaves — many Orthodox teas can be re-steeped for a second, slightly different infusion.
Tips for a Better Cup
Give the leaves enough water and space to fully unfurl rather than cramming them into a small infuser, which limits how much flavour they can release. Taste as you go the first few times you brew a new batch, since steep time preference varies more with Orthodox tea than with CTC.
Shop our Orthodox Loose Leaf collection to try this brewing method.