In France and across the Western world, we tend to brew tea leaves just once. So it often comes as a pleasant surprise to learn that brewing your tea multiple times is not only possible, but widely practiced throughout Asia.
What are the benefits of multiple infusions?
Brewing your tea more than once unlocks a range of benefits. From a sensory perspective, each infusion offers a new layer of flavor, allowing you to experience your tea in its full depth and complexity.
There is also an economic advantage: by reusing your leaves, you naturally get more value from your tea. And from a wellness standpoint, the levels of tannins and caffeine are noticeably lower in subsequent infusions.
How do you brew tea multiple times?
It is straightforward. Simply increase the steeping time slightly with each infusion. For example, if a tea calls for a 3-minute steep, allow 4 minutes for the second infusion.
For multiple infusions, a small teapot works beautifully, though a tea filter works just as well.
Which teas are best suited for multiple infusions?
Not all teas are ideal for re-steeping. We recommend opting for whole-leaf teas, as they release their flavor far more gradually than broken leaves.
We also suggest choosing unflavored teas, which are perfectly suited to multiple infusions. Flavored teas, by contrast, tend to release most of their taste in the very first steep.