The Finest Gear for Brewing and Consuming Tea

Tea	Water Temperature	Steep Time
Black tea	180° to 212° F	3-5 minutes
Natural tea	212°F	3-5 minutes
Inexperienced tea	150° to 180° F	2-3 minutes
White tea	160° F	2-3 minutes
Oolong tea	190° to 200° F	1-5 minutes
Pu-erh tea	205° F	3-5 minutes

The brewing course of differs significantly when making matcha, which is sifted and whisked into sizzling water moderately than steeped. “Utilizing water that is too sizzling or not sizzling sufficient can damage matcha upon contact,” Cheng says. It’s additionally vital to whisk vigorously, so the powder integrates into the new water; that mentioned, Cheng warns in opposition to over-whisking, which may trigger “large bubbles as an alternative of microfoam.”

Our Favourite Gear for Brewing and Consuming Tea

This stovetop tea kettle from Fellow received our assessments due to its comfy, heat-proof deal with (coated in sturdy silicone). In contrast to some kettles, which function spout covers it’s a must to toggle to open, the Fellow’s robotically opens when pouring, resulting in a clean, constant stream of water (and no fussing). We additionally love the straightforward, enticing kind and the harmonic whistle it makes when it hits the boiling level. 

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel, silicone
• Acknowledged Capability: 1.8 quarts
• Max Capability: 1.95 quarts to precise max fill line (58 ounces)
• Weight (when empty): 1 pound, 13.4 ounces
• Weight (when at capability): 5 kilos, 12 ounces
• Diameter of the kettle’s opening: 4 3/8 inches
• Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 8 inches
• Appropriate cooktops: Gasoline, electrical

Variable kettles permit the person to set a selected water temperature, so if you would like a wonderfully bloomed cup of oolong, this fashion can get your water to precisely 195°F. Throughout testing, the Fellow Corvo shortly reached every assigned temperature, and it was tremendous simple to make use of: simply push the dial, then flip it to your required temperature. We additionally like that this vessel can maintain water at a temperature for as much as an hour after heating (we even examined its accuracy on this realm, and located it was inside a level the entire time).

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel; plastic
• Acknowledged capability: 0.9 liters
• Good to know: Variable temperature vary of 135°F-212°F

Non-variable kettles have a easy job: convey water to a boil. In our assessments, we appreciated this feature from Breville, which heated water shortly and was tremendous simple to make use of: simply toggle the swap and wait to listen to the ding when the water is prepared.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Glass; chrome steel; plastic
• Acknowledged capability: 1.7 liters
• Good to know: Has dual-sided “water home windows” with measurement markings

In the event you’re into looseleaf tea, a tea infuser is a useful little doodad to have in your drawer. There are two kinds of infusers: baskets and ball-style infusers. A ball-style infuser is separated into two halves that you simply fill with looseleaf tea after which decrease into your cup or teapot. Our favourite ball tea infuser is from Norpro; it is simple to open, fill, shut, and take away, because of its hooked up chain (and the lovable mini ceramic teapot on the finish).  

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel
• Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Dimensions: 3 x 2.5 x 2.5 inches
• Care directions: Hand wash solely

A basket is one other traditional kind of tea infuser that rests on the lip of a tea cup or pot. The Fenshine is our prime decide since it is simple to fill and clear, and it did a wonderful job protecting even the tiniest specks of tea leaves contained. Plus, we like that it has two arms that stretch over the lip of the mug so the infuser stays tremendous regular.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Stainless-steel and rubber
• Consists of: Infuser and lid
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe

A sturdy thermos, like this one from Zojirushi, lets us convey our (piping! sizzling!) tea with us wherever we’re going. And this factor can hold tea HOT: in our assessments, it held sizzling water above 175°F for six hours—that is nearly a complete workday. Plus, it is petite and leakproof, so you may toss it into your bag and do not have to fret concerning the lid popping open and spilling sizzling tea in all places. It additionally comes with a lid that doubles as a cup—cute!

Key Specs

• Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Supplies: Stainless-steel, plastic
• Dimensions: 11.5 x 3.5 inches
• Acknowledged capability: 1 liter
• Lid kind: Cup lid
• Care directions: Hand wash solely

We love a superb matcha latte: the mixture of the marginally bitter matcha and the nice and cozy embrace of milk is a match[a] made in heaven (hehe). However to make a matcha (or tea or espresso) latte, you want silky microfoam that will not dissolve when it hits the new water. Enter the frother. Our favourite is from On the spot and has a number of warmth and froth degree settings and an easy-to-navigate interface; it additionally whips up clean, luscious foam that holds its construction when poured over tea.

Key Specs

• Capability: 17 ounces
• Weight: 2.2 kilos
• Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.2 x 6 inches
• Temperature settings: Chilly, heat, sizzling
• Foam settings: Stir solely, latte, cappuccino
• Care directions: Dishwasher-safe milk pitcher, wipe base clear with a humid fabric

Nobody likes clumpy matcha (or, not less than, nobody we all know), and an vital a part of making a silky cup is vigorously whisking the powder with sizzling water. “In case you are seeking to elevate your matcha latte at house,” says Cheng, “then investing in a superb whisk is essential.”

Key Specs

• Materials: Bamboo
• Dimensions: 4 x 2.3 inches
• Dishwasher-safe: Sure

“My go-to vessel to brew tea is a porcelain Gaiwan,” says Cheng. “Gaiwans are very versatile; they can be utilized to brew an unroasted oolong or an aged pu-erh.” This Chinese language vessel consists of a bowl with a lid and a saucer, a form of hybrid tea cup/pot. To make use of it, the bowl is warmed with sizzling water earlier than rinsed tea leaves are added; then, sizzling water is poured inside and the lid is about on prime because the tea steeps, You possibly can pour tea into separate cups to serve, utilizing the lid to catch the tea leaves, or just drink it straight from the Gaiwan itself.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Glazed ceramic
• Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.25 inches
• Acknowledged capability: 4 ounces

When you can sip tea out of your favourite mug (you already know, the one with a sassy saying on it), generally it is good to kick it up a notch with a chic cup and saucer. This set from Pilivuyt has a traditional look and, because it’s fabricated from ceramic, has nice warmth retention.

Key Specs

• Supplies: Porcelain
• Saucer diameter: 6.25 inches
• Acknowledged cup capability: 10 ounces

FAQs

Do totally different teas require totally different water temperatures?

The quick reply is sure; totally different teas require totally different water temperatures for optimum taste. Natural teas, for instance, require boiling water to precise their subtleties, whereas inexperienced tea sings with temperatures between 150°F to 180°F.

How lengthy do you have to steep tea?

Tea steeping instances differ in response to tea kind. Typically, steeping ranges from two to eight minutes. Inexperienced tea requires the least period of time–two to 4 minutes–whereas oolong requires the dedication of 5 to eight minutes. Black teas, white teas, and natural teas vary from 4 to 6 minutes.

Is an electrical kettle or stovetop kettle higher?

Neither is healthier. Electrical kettles are plugged in and, in the event that they’re a variable temperature kettle, will be set to a selected water temperature. They typically flip off after a set time frame, so you may set it and neglect it (although your water may go chilly). Stovetop kettles, as their title implies, are heated on a stovetop, making them a less complicated (although typically longer) method of brewing sizzling water.  

Why We’re the Specialists 

• Abigail Clarkin is a contributing author for Critical Eats. 
• She is an avid tea drinker and has fairly a set of teas and tea gear. She’s additionally examined tea infusers for Critical Eats. 
• For this story, Abigail interviewed Michelle Cheng, proprietor of Ceremony, a tea store in Windfall, Rhode Island.
• We have written extensively about tea and tea-adjacent merchandise over time, together with kettles of every kind.
• Grace Kelly is a commerce editor for Critical Eats.
• She’s examined a ton of drugs, together with grilling tongs, Deba knives, and tamagoyaki pans.