There’s something magical about the moment hot water meets tea leaves — aroma rises, flavors bloom, and your cup becomes a quiet form of connection.
But if you’re not brewing it right, you could be missing the full expression of your tea.
Brewing loose leaf tea, especially single-origin teas from Nepal, is both simple and deeply rewarding. Unlike generic tea bags, loose leaf teas require just a little more care to unlock their full depth — and trust us, it’s worth it.
Nepal’s Ilam region is known for its high elevation, pristine soil, and small tea gardens where leaves are hand-plucked and hand-rolled.
Here’s why brewing matters even more for Nepali tea:
🌄 Grown at altitude — slower leaf growth = more flavor
🌿 Not machine-blended — each tea is delicate and deserves precise brewing
🚫 No additives — what you taste is pure, so brewing is key to balance
For a full deep-dive into terroir and tea types, visit our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Loose Leaf Tea.
Loose leaf tea (choose your favorite — we’ll guide you below)
Fresh, filtered water
A kettle
A strainer, infuser, or teapot with built-in filter
Fancy scale
Thermometer (you can eyeball temperatures using our guide below)
Timer app (your phone works great)
| Tea Type | Temp | Visual Cue |
|---|---|---|
| White (e.g., Rara Willow) | 180°F (82°C) | Steam rising, no bubbles |
| Green (e.g., Pokhara Classic) | 160°F (71°C) | Just before simmer |
| Oolong (e.g., Annapurna Amber) | 190°F (88°C) | Small bubbles |
| Black (e.g., Sherpa Breakfast) | 195°F (90°C) | Full boil |
💡 Tip: If you don’t have a thermometer, boil the water and let it sit for 30–60 seconds before pouring for white/green teas.
1 heaping teaspoon per 8 oz cup
Or 2–3 grams per 8 oz (if you want to be precise)
For bolder teas like Sherpa Breakfast, a slightly rounded spoon enhances richness. For delicate teas like Rara Willow, stick to 1 flat spoon.
| Tea Type | Steep Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| White | 2–3 min | Light and subtle |
| Green | 1.5–2.5 min | Don’t oversteep |
| Oolong | 3–5 min | Can handle longer infusions |
| Black | 3–4 min | Bold, malty flavors emerge |
⏳ Want to re-steep? Go ahead — most of our teas can be steeped 2–3 times.
Bring filtered water to the right temperature based on your tea type.
Use 1 tsp of loose leaf tea per cup, or adjust to taste.
Place tea in a strainer, infuser basket, or directly in your pot if using a built-in filter.
Gently pour water over the leaves and let them steep for the correct time.
Remove the leaves (or pour through strainer) and enjoy your tea as-is — or with milk and honey for heartier teas like Sherpa Breakfast.
A high-caffeine black tea with assertive notes of malt, bran, and red grape. Perfect for mornings.
Medium-bodied oolong with stone fruit and roasted almond. Great for sipping slowly.
One bud, one leaf — hand-rolled and high-heat dried. Expect apricot, clover honey, and citrusy brightness.
Use a French press, kitchen strainer, or simply steep the tea directly in a cup and strain it through a sieve.
Over-steeping leads to bitterness and can mask the natural complexity of your tea.
Yes! Most of our teas can be re-steeped 2–3 times — flavor evolves with each infusion.
Not necessary with Nepali teas. They’re clean, fresh, and don’t need a rinse like some aged teas.
No. White and green teas require lower temps. Boiling water can burn the leaves.
Yes — especially with black teas like Sherpa Breakfast. White, green, and oolong teas are best enjoyed plain.
Great tea starts with great leaves — but it's your brew that brings it to life.
With these tips, you’ll unlock the true beauty of Nepali loose leaf tea: bold flavors, calming energy, and a ritual worth repeating.
Ready to steep something special?
Or return to the Beginner’s Guide to Choosing Loose Leaf Tea for even more tea wisdom.
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