Tea timer
Choose your tea and press Start when the water goes on the leaves. Each preset shows the best water temperature, and the timer rings when it is time to take the leaves or bag out, before the tea turns bitter.
Tea steeping times and temperatures
| Tea | Water | Steep |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 70–80 °C (160–175 °F) | 1–3 min |
| White | 75–85 °C (165–185 °F) | 2–4 min |
| Oolong | 85–95 °C (185–205 °F) | 2–4 min |
| Black | 95–100 °C (200–212 °F) | 3–5 min |
| Herbal | 100 °C (212 °F) | 5–7 min |
| Rooibos | 100 °C (212 °F) | 5–6 min |
These are common starting points; follow the packet for a particular tea, and steep longer for stronger tea rather than adding more heat. Too-hot water and long steeps pull out more bitterness, especially from green tea. No thermometer? Let boiled water stand for 2 to 3 minutes for green or white tea.
Questions people ask
How long should you steep tea?
Roughly 1 to 3 minutes for green tea, 2 to 4 for white and oolong, 3 to 5 for black, and 5 to 7 for herbal teas.
Why does my green tea taste bitter?
Usually the water is too hot or it steeped too long. Use water around 70 to 80 °C and steep for about 2 minutes.
Can you steep tea too long?
Yes. Black and green teas turn bitter and astringent when steeped too long. Herbal teas and rooibos are much more forgiving.
Coffee drinker? The coffee timer has French press, pour-over and AeroPress steps.