Taste of Tea Academy

Tea 101: Learn About Tea, Step by Step

The easiest way to get into tea: try one tea of each main type, brew each at the right temperature and time, and taste them side by side. This free course walks you through it in 7 short lessons, using our tea guides, a tea timer and brewing calculators.

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  1. Lesson 1 of 7

    What tea is

    All true tea comes from one plant, Camellia sinensis. Black, green, white, oolong and pu-erh teas differ in how the leaves are processed after picking. Herbal teas (tisanes) are made from other plants; most, like chamomile, peppermint and rooibos, are naturally caffeine-free, while yerba mate and guayusa do contain caffeine.

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    Tea with Tae 7-Days of Tea Sampler Pack

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    Tea with Tae 7-Days of Tea Sampler Pack

    Taste seven teas, from herbal to black

  2. Lesson 2 of 7

    How to brew

    Water temperature and steeping time matter most. Black tea likes water at a full boil (200–212°F) for 3–5 minutes; green tea needs cooler water (160–180°F) for 1–3 minutes. Start with about 1 teaspoon (2–3 g) of loose leaf per 8 oz cup and adjust to taste.

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    Open the tea timer →

    Culinary Teas Personal 1 Pot 1 3/4 inch mesh ball Infuser

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    Culinary Teas Personal 1 Pot 1 3/4 inch mesh ball Infuser

    A simple infuser for your first loose leaf cups

  3. Lesson 3 of 7

    What tea tastes like

    Each type has its own flavor: black tea is bold and malty, green tea fresh and grassy or toasty, oolong anywhere from floral to roasted, and white tea light and gently sweet. Tasting two of them side by side is the easiest way to find what you like.

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    Harney & Sons Harney Heritage – Wrapped Sachet Sampler Black Box

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    Harney & Sons Harney Heritage – Wrapped Sachet Sampler Black Box

    Several teas to compare side by side

  4. Lesson 4 of 7

    Caffeine and your day

    An 8 oz cup of black tea has about 47 mg of caffeine and green tea about 28 mg, compared with about 95 mg in brewed coffee (USDA). Rooibos, chamomile and peppermint have none, which makes them an easy evening cup; yerba mate and guayusa are herbal but do contain caffeine.

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    Count your caffeine →

    Beach House Apple Orchard Cider Herbal Tea

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    Beach House Apple Orchard Cider Herbal Tea

    A caffeine-free rooibos blend for the evening

  5. Lesson 5 of 7

    Iced tea, cold brew and sweet tea

    For a gallon of iced tea, use about 16 regular tea bags or 4 family-size bags. Cold brewing in the fridge takes several hours and gives a smoother cup. Keep iced tea in the fridge (40°F or below) and drink it within 2–3 days.

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    Use the iced tea calculator →

    Tea with Tae Traditional Iced Black Tea Pouch

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    Tea with Tae Traditional Iced Black Tea Pouch

    Pillow bags made for a pitcher of iced tea

  6. Lesson 6 of 7

    Matcha and Japanese teas

    Matcha is powdered green tea that you whisk into water instead of steeping, so you drink the whole leaf. Ceremonial grades are made for drinking plain; culinary grades suit lattes and baking.

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    Wight Tea Matcha

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    Wight Tea Matcha

    Japanese matcha in a small pouch

  7. Lesson 7 of 7

    Find your tea

    Take our 6-question tea quiz for four picks that match your taste, or start with a sampler and note what you liked. Our buying guides compare the teas we carry, brand by brand.

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    Take the tea quiz →

    Tea with Tae Bestsellers Tea Sampler: Bento Box | 6-pack

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    Tea with Tae Bestsellers Tea Sampler: Bento Box | 6-pack

    Six bestselling teas in one box