How long do our teas steep?

• A. 15 minutes
• B. 5 minutes
• C. 10 minutes
• D. 20 minutes

Answer: (A)

Steeping time controls how much flavor, aroma compounds, and other elements are drawn out of the tea leaves. A longer steep generally yields a stronger, fuller cup with more caffeine, but it can also bring out bitterness and astringency if pushed too far. In this set, 15 minutes is used as the standard to produce a consistently robust cup across the teas we offer. Shorter times, like five minutes, tend to give a lighter brew and may under-extract certain flavors. Ten minutes can be satisfactory for some blends but may still vary in strength between varieties. Twenty minutes often over-extracts for many teas, resulting in a harsher, overly tannic finish. By standardizing at 15 minutes, the goal is reliable flavor, aroma, and caffeine levels every time, even if the blend or water conditions vary slightly.