Making your Chai tea

You will get my blends I prepare in a ready-made tea bag so you can brew it right away.

If you have a large, open tea infuser/strainer (not the small ball closed type), you may try emptying the contents of the bag into the infuser so that the spices/tea has more space to steep.

If you order a blend with tea or a tea substitute, it will be in a separate bag for a few reasons:

First, so that you can play around with the option.

Second, because tea leaves need to be steeped at different temperatures or times, otherwise the tea can turn bitter, astringent, or burnt.

Thirdly, because the tea leaves can be steeped multiple times.

When you finish steeping your tea, as mentioned, use it again to make another cup/pot. It will be lighter in flavor. If you do not plan to make another batch right away, store in a sealed container and place in the refrigerator for later use.

I recommend that you first steep the spice bag first and then the tea leaves second. The spices can be brewed at a full boil and for as long as you like. Typically I would steep it for a minimum of 5 minutes. The longer you steep it, the darker and stronger the flavor.

With tea leaves, the proper way to steep is as follows:

White tea: 160-170 degrees F or 71-76 degrees C (if you do not have a way to read your water temperature, the water should be steaming or with teeny bubbles just starting to form or just before boiling) Steep for 2-3 minutes.

Black tea: 185 degrees F or 85 degrees C (small bubbles, but not a full boil). Steep for 1-3 minutes depending how strong you like your black tea flavor. If adding milk afterwards or during (be careful not to burn your milk), 2-3 minutes is better.

Red tea/Yerba Mate/Spices only: 205 degrees F or higher or 96 degrees C or higher (full rolling boil). Steep for 5 min or longer.

Chamomile: Follow white tea instructions. Can be steeped longer if preferred.

Coffee: 195 degrees F or 90 degrees C (medium bubbles, but not a full boil). Depending how strong you like your coffee, 2-4 minutes.

When brewing iced tea, either steep your tea in half the amount of water to make a concentrated tea OR use twice as much tea (use two tea bags). Sometimes brewing the spices only for a longer period of time can work, but generally the other two methods works better. Once you have a concentrated tea, add ice and enjoy!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Enjoy!