Depending on its origin, black tea should steep for 2 to 7 minutes. Use hot water, never boiling, to preserve its flavour and quality.

Black tea steeping times by origin

Brewing black tea is something of a ritual. Teapot, leaves, water, infusion time — every detail matters when you're after a perfectly aromatic cup.

The type of black tea is the key factor in determining steeping time. Darjeeling black tea, for example, calls for 2 to 5 minutes. Broken or crushed leaves also infuse more quickly than whole-leaf varieties. Those who prefer a bolder, more intense cup sometimes steep for up to 7 minutes. Spiced teas, on the other hand, are best kept under 5 minutes.

Steeping black tea: water temperature matters

Water temperature plays an equally important role in brewing a great cup of tea. Hot water allows the aromas to unfold more readily — but boiling water can dull the flavour and diminish its benefits. That said, water below 80 °C won't release the full depth of the tea's character either.