{"slug":"black-tea","name":"Black Tea","steep_time":{"low_seconds":180,"high_seconds":300},"steep_temperature":{"low_c":95,"high_c":100,"low_f":203,"high_f":212},"web_url":"https://timebeforetea.com/teas/black-tea","title":"How to Brew Black Tea","description":"Steep Black Tea for 3m – 5m at 95°C – 100°C (203°F – 212°F). A step-by-step brewing guide from Time Before Tea.","steps":[{"name":"Measure your tea","text":"Use about one teaspoon of Black Tea leaves per 8 oz cup."},{"name":"Heat the water","text":"Bring fresh water to 95°C – 100°C (203°F – 212°F). Water that is too hot will scorch the leaves."},{"name":"Steep","text":"Pour the water over the leaves and steep for 3m – 5m. Start at the shorter time and taste as you go."},{"name":"Strain and serve","text":"Remove the leaves as soon as the steep is done so the tea does not turn bitter."}],"faqs":[{"question":"How long should you steep black tea?","answer":"3 to 5 minutes. Three minutes gives a brisk, lighter cup for drinking plain; 4–5 minutes gives a fuller cup that stands up to milk. Past 5 minutes most black teas turn bitter."},{"question":"What temperature should water be for black tea?","answer":"203–212°F (95–100°C), water at or just off a full boil. Black tea is fully oxidized and sturdy, and cooler water leaves it thin and flat."},{"question":"How much black tea should I use per cup?","answer":"One teaspoon (about 2–3 g) of loose leaf or one bag per 8 oz (240 ml) cup. If you want it stronger, add leaf rather than steeping longer, which only adds bitterness."},{"question":"How much caffeine is in black tea?","answer":"Usually about 40–70 mg per 8 oz cup, roughly half to two-thirds of a cup of coffee. Longer steeps, hotter water, and broken-leaf tea all pull out more."},{"question":"Is it bad to leave the tea bag in?","answer":"It won't hurt you, but the tea keeps extracting tannins and turns bitter and drying. Take the bag out when the time is up, and don't squeeze it."},{"question":"Can you cold brew black tea?","answer":"Yes. Use about twice the usual amount of leaf and steep it in the fridge for 8–12 hours. Cold brewing pulls out less tannin, so the tea is smoother and sweeter, and it doesn't go cloudy."}],"product_handles":[],"store_available":false}