Brewing Guide

Just like wine or chocolate, teas can vary in taste because of how it is grown, the weather, the altitude and soil conditions, all contribute to the final product (i.e. pan frying, steaming, etc.). And like wine and chocolate, there are teas of good, every day drinking style, and special occasion, or rare quality tea.

Being certified organic and maintaining strict standards and govt. certification is an expensive process for tea farms. This is often the reason for the price difference sometimes seen with organic products. When you drink tea as often as we do, there is great comfort in knowing you are drinking in a pure, healthy, and unadulterated cup of tea! The taste difference speaks for itself and we believe you&##39;ll appreciate the difference too. Not all of our teas are certified USDA organic, however many do meet EU standards and there is some debate that these standards are more strict than in the US.

Here are a few tips on getting started, this applies to loose leaf in a pyramid bag, or loose leaf in a filter:

	Black Teas	Oolong Teas	Green Teas	White Teas	Rooibus Tea	Fruit Tisane/ Art Teas
Water Temp	208��	195��	170�C175��	140��	202��	195��
Steep Time	4�C5 min	3�C5 min	1�C2 min	1�C3 min	5 min	5�C7 min
Extra Info		Most oolong teas can be steeped a second or third time after finishing your first pot of tea. Don&##39;t throw your leaves until you’re done!	Many times green tea is ruined by water that is too hot. This burns the tea leaf and changes the flavor to bitter. Steeping too long with green, can also make a bitter cup	White tea is the least processed tea and has many anti-oxidants and little caffeine	Packed with anti-oxidants and no caffeine. Pronounced [roy-bus]

The standard for tea measurement is 1 teaspoon for 4 oz of water. (we like a stronger cup, so for us, it&##39;s 1 and 1/2) If making a pot of tea, add an extra teaspoon. So, if you have an 8 oz pot, you would use 3 teaspoons.

Warming the teapot with warm water then pouring it out before you steep your tea with boiled water will ensure a measure of temperature control. If your teapot is cold, the water temperature will drop to warm the teapot, taking away from the temperature needed for the leaf.

Filtered water vs. tap water. Filtered water will bring you closer to the taste of the tea that has been grown and produced so beautifully for you. It is preferred by tea connoisseurs. Tap water is fine, however, you are then adding other &##39;ingredients&##39; to your tea. But, when you need a cup of tea and tap water is all there is available, it&##39;s then the option of tea or no tea, and of course for us, it&##39;s always tea!

Here at Bingley&##39;s, however, we prefer to use filtered spring water for our tea service.

These suggestions are given to help you get the best out of the tea you have. You&##39;ll find your own tea strength and steep time that works for you. And, many times you may be at work with our tea and have only one temperature of water for your cuppa. If it&##39;s a green or white tea just add a long shot of cold to the hot coffee water dispenser. This is when starting with a quality tea will shine through for you.