Tea steeping timer
Choose a tea and how strong you like it. The timer sets a steeping time and shows the water temperature to start from, then counts down and beeps. The figures are rule-of-thumb starting points: the advice on your tea's pack comes first.
Runs in your browser: nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How to use it
- Pick a tea and a strength.
- Heat the water to the temperature shown.
- Pour the water on the tea, press Start, and remove the tea when it beeps.
How it works
The base time per tea is adjusted by −30 seconds for mild, +60 for strong. Temperatures are shown in both degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit. This is a guide, not a standard.
Worked example
Green tea at standard strength: 2:00 at 80 °C (176 °F). Black tea strong: 4:00 at 95 °C (203 °F).
Tips
- Use fresh water and a clean cup.
- Do not leave the leaves in the cup if you do not want a stronger brew.
- Many loose-leaf teas can be steeped again, often a little longer.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I steep tea?
As a rule of thumb: green 2 minutes, white and oolong 3, black and pu-erh 3, herbal 5. Mild takes 30 seconds off and strong adds a minute. Pack instructions, tea quality and taste all matter, so adjust.
What water temperature should I use?
Rule-of-thumb values here are 80 °C (176 °F) for green and white, 90 °C (194 °F) for oolong, 95 °C (203 °F) for black and 100 °C (212 °F) for pu-erh and herbal. Cooler water for green tea tends to reduce bitterness.
Why does tea turn bitter?
Too long a steep or water that is too hot for delicate teas draws out more bitter compounds. If a cup is bitter, shorten the time or cool the water a little.
Does the timer run in a background tab?
The countdown is worked out from the clock, so it stays correct, but browsers may delay the beep in a background tab. Keep the tab visible if you need the sound on time.