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If you’re new to loose-leaf herbal tea, you might wonder: How much do I use? How long do I steep it? Do I need a special infuser? And when am I actually supposed to drink it?

The good news is that brewing loose-leaf herbal tea is much easier than it looks. You don’t need fancy equipment or a complicated tea ritual. Once you know how much tea to use, how long to steep it, and a few simple brewing basics, you’re set.

But there’s another part of making herbal tea that doesn’t get talked about enough: when should you drink it? If you’re drinking herbal tea for a specific wellness goal, timing can help you get into a routine that makes sense. An energizing tea might be perfect first thing in the morning, while a digestive tea makes more sense around meals and a calming herbal blend is better saved for the evening.

So whether you’re completely new to loose leaf tea or you just want to get more out of the teas you already have, let’s go over the basics.

 

How to Brew Herbal Loose Leaf Tea Step by Step

 

Step 1: Measure Your Tea

Measure 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf herbal tea for every 8 ounces of water.

Because herbal blends contain different leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, and other botanicals, some blends are fluffier than others. Your teaspoon doesn’t have to be perfectly level every single time. A slightly rounded teaspoon is perfectly fine.

 

Step 2: Heat Your Water

Bring water to a boil. We love using an electric kettle for this.

Using properly heated water helps draw the flavor and naturally occurring plant compounds out of the herbs and into your cup.

 

Step 3: Add Your Tea

Place your loose-leaf tea into a tea infuser, paper tea filters, or mug with a built-in infuser.

If you’re using an infuser, give those herbs some room! Water needs to be able to circulate around the herbs while they steep.

If you love the convenience of a traditional tea bag, our paper tea filters are an easy way to get started. Simply add your loose-leaf tea, pull the drawstring, and place it in your cup.

 

Step 4: Add 8 Ounces of Hot Water

Pour 8 ounces of hot water over your herbs.

If you’re making a larger mug, just adjust the amount of tea accordingly. For example, a 16-ounce mug would use approximately 2 teaspoons of tea.

 

Step 5: Steep for 7–10 Minutes

Let your herbal tea steep for 7 to 10 minutes or whatever time is advised on the packaging.

You can steep it a little longer when you want a stronger cup; the longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor will be.

 

Step 6: Remove the Herbs and Enjoy

Remove your infuser or tea filter and your tea is ready!

Enjoy it warm, add honey, let it cool, or pour it over ice. Once you have the basic brewing method down, you can start experimenting to find exactly how you like your tea.

 

 

What Do You Need to Make Loose Leaf Tea?

You really don’t need much. At the most basic level, you need hot water, loose-leaf tea, a mug, and a way to separate the herbs from the water.

A few accessories can make the process even easier:

• A super-fine tea infuser that sits directly inside your mug

• Paper tea filters for the convenience of a tea bag

• A measuring teaspoon so you get a consistent cup every time

• An electric kettle to make heating water quick and easy

• An infuser mug if you drink loose leaf tea regularly

You definitely don’t need to buy everything at once. Start simple. As drinking tea becomes part of your routine, you’ll quickly figure out which accessories make the most sense for you.

 

 

 

When Is the Best Time to Drink Herbal Tea?

Now that you know how to brew it, when should you drink it?

There isn’t one perfect time to drink herbal tea. The best time depends on the blend.

Instead of thinking about tea as something you have to squeeze into your day, think about what you already do every day. You wake up. You eat meals. You take an afternoon break. You get ready for bed. Those are all natural opportunities to make tea part of your routine.

 

Herbal Tea in the Morning

Morning is a great time for teas that support energy, metabolism, focus, or your body’s response to everyday stress.

If you want a little caffeine, Sleek & Slender Tea is our caffeinated wellness tea and contains white tea along with herbs traditionally used to support digestion and metabolism.

If stress is your main concern, Cortisol Daytime Tea is designed for daytime use with adaptogenic and nervine herbs to support a healthier stress response.

Pairing your morning tea with something you already do, like making breakfast or getting ready for work, can also make it much easier to stay consistent.

 

Herbal Tea Around or After Meals

If digestion is your goal, meals give you an easy reminder to reach for your tea.

Feeling overly full, gassy, or bloated after eating can be a sign that your digestive system could use a little extra support. A digestive herbal blend like Bye Bye, Bloat Tea can fit naturally into your routine around meals.

This can be especially helpful after a heavier meal, or whenever you know certain foods tend to leave your stomach feeling uncomfortable.

 

Herbal Tea During the Day

Some herbal teas are flexible enough to fit wherever they make the most sense in your daytime routine.

Teas that support general wellness, like our Cleanse & Detox Tea Bundle, inflammation like Joint Support Tea, stress like Cortisol Daytime Tea, or blood pressure like Blood Pressure Support Tea can be enjoyed at a time that works for you. That might be during your midmorning break, with lunch, during the afternoon slump, or whenever you would normally reach for another snack or beverage.

The important thing here is consistency over perfection. You don’t have to drink your tea at the same time every single day to get the benefits from it. If you drink it at 10 a.m. one day and 2 p.m. the next, that’s okay. Finding a time that realistically fits into your day is more important than creating a rigid schedule you’ll abandon after three days.

 

Herbal Tea in the Evening

If you struggle to shut your brain off at night, feel wired but tired, or regularly carry the stress of the day into bed with you, a calming herbal tea can become part of your wind-down routine.

Cortisol Evening Tea, for example, was created specifically for evening use with calming herbs that support relaxation and restful sleep.

Try making your tea part of the signal that the day is winding down. Put away your phone, make your tea, dim the lights, read a book, or do something else that helps your nervous system transition out of the busyness of the day.

 

 

How Many Cups of Herbal Tea Should You Drink a Day?

For most people, 1–2 cups of herbal tea a day is a great place to start. Aim for two cups, but if you only get one cup in that day, that still counts!

Consistency is more important than trying to drink a large amount all at once. Herbs are something you incorporate into your routine over time, so having one or two cups regularly makes more sense than drinking four cups one day and none for the rest of the week.

Just remember that every herbal blend is different. Some herbs and formulas have specific serving recommendations, so always follow the directions on the tea you’re drinking rather than assuming that more tea means more benefits.

 

Common Loose Leaf Tea Brewing Mistakes

Loose leaf herbal tea is pretty forgiving, but there are a few common mistakes beginners make.

Using too little tea: If you’re filling a giant mug with water but only adding a teaspoon of tea, your cup may taste weak. Remember the basic ratio of 1 teaspoon for every 8 ounces of water.

Not steeping long enough: Dunking your herbs in hot water for a minute or two isn’t the same as properly steeping them. Give your herbal tea the full 7 to 10 minutes.

Using an infuser that’s too small: Herbs need room to expand and move around as they steep. A larger basket-style infuser works especially well for loose leaf herbal blends.

Forgetting about your tea: We’ve all made a cup of tea and discovered it sitting on the counter an hour later. Set a timer if you need the reminder!

Making your routine too complicated: You don’t need a different tea every hour of the day. Choose the teas that align with your biggest health goals and focus on making them a consistent part of your routine.

 

 

 

Why Choose Loose Leaf Herbal Tea Over Store-Bought Tea Bags?

If you’ve only ever bought tea from the grocery store, you might be wondering if loose leaf tea is really that different. It is, and you can usually see the difference as soon as you open the package.

Many conventional tea bags contain very small, finely cut pieces of tea and herbs. With loose leaf herbal tea, you can actually see the ingredients you’re brewing: leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, spices, and other botanicals. And this also results in a fresher and more medicinal cup of tea.

Loose leaf also gives you more control. You can see the quality of the ingredients, adjust how much tea you use, and make your cup stronger or lighter depending on your preference.

And then there’s the tea bag itself. Some conventional tea bags are made with or contain plastic materials that leach into your water.

Once you make the switch to loose leaf, that dusty little grocery-store tea bag just isn’t quite as exciting anymore.

In Summary...

Brewing loose-leaf herbal tea doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by choosing a tea that matches what you want support with. Then think about when that tea makes the most sense in your routine, and choose the brewing accessory that you prefer.

As for brewing, just remember the basics:

1 teaspoon of loose-leaf herbal tea.
8 ounces of hot water.
Steep for 7–10 minutes.

That’s it! Choose your tea, brew yourself a cup, and make it a part of your day.

Happy healthy sipping!

Shop all Loose Leaf Tea Market herbal teas

 

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or replace professional medical care. If you are pregnant or nursing, are under the care of a physician, or take prescription medication, talk to your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet or wellness routine.