Page 2 - Tea Basics Brochure

THE ELEMENTS OF TEA STEEPING
WATER
All tea, both hot and iced, is affected by water quality. Because of tea’s light flavor, the quality of input water is crucial to the beverage.
TEMPERATURE
Temperature is critical to tea steeping and varies based on the type of tea being steeped. Recommended steeping temperatures range from 160°F (71.1°C) to 210°F (98.9 oC).
TIME
In order for the leaves to unfurl during steeping, tea needs to be exposed to hot water for a certain amount of time. This time will vary depending on the type of tea and the temperature of the water.
Actual steeping times will vary with the preferences of the individual tea consumer.
TEA
Today, iced tea accounts for 75-80 percent of America’s tea consumption. Of the more than 240 million pounds of tea packaged for consumption in the United States, over 65 percent comes in tea bags.
CLEANING
To protect tea flavor and to avoid bacterial contamination and growth, the Tea Association of the USA recommends that storage and dispensing equipment for tea be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day. Detailed cleaning instructions are given under “The Importance of Routine Cleaning.”