The Tea Hearth

Tea Basics

Water, temperature, leaf-to-water ratio, and steep time — the handful of variables that decide whether a cup is bright and sweet or thin and bitter, plus how to buy and store loose leaf so it's still good months from now.

Tea Basics

8 guides
Tea Basics

Why Your Tea Tastes Bitter (and How to Fix It)

Water too hot, steeping too long, or too much leaf? Learn the real causes of bitter tea and the exact fixes for each one.

July 4, 2026
Tea Basics

Loose-Leaf vs. Tea Bags: What's Actually the Difference

Comparing loose leaf tea and tea bags across leaf grade, flavor, cost per cup, and convenience so you can decide which makes sense for your brewing routine.

June 30, 2026
Tea Basics

How to Brew Loose-Leaf Tea: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Learn how to brew loose-leaf tea at home with the right tools, temperatures, ratios, and steep times for any tea type.

June 22, 2026
Tea Basics

How to Store Tea So It Stays Fresh

Keep loose-leaf and bagged tea tasting its best with the right containers and conditions. What actually causes tea to go stale, and how to stop it.

June 20, 2026
Tea Basics

Does Water Quality Matter for Tea? Minerals, Filtering, and Taste

Water makes up 99% of your cup. Here's how minerals, chlorine, and TDS affect tea flavor and what to do about it.

June 17, 2026
Tea Basics

How Long to Steep Tea: Steeping Times by Type

Steep times by tea type, from 1-minute green tea to 5-minute black. Avoid bitterness and get the most from every cup.

June 12, 2026
Tea Basics

How Much Tea to Use: Leaf-to-Water Ratios That Work

A practical tea measurement guide: how much loose leaf tea per cup, grams per 240 ml, ratios by tea type, and when to adjust.

June 8, 2026
Tea Basics

Water Temperature for Tea: The Right Heat for Every Type

Get the right water temperature for every tea type, from green to black. Includes a full brewing temperature chart in °C and °F.

June 4, 2026

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