How to Press & Brew Tea Bags

If a store-bought tea bag isn't quite right, press your own.

A comforting cup of tea can be brewed several different ways; you can use loose tea in a French press, steep a pot with an infuser, dunk a store-bought tea bag into a hot cup of water or press and brew your own. Enjoying a spot of tea once in while is an occasional treat for some, but for others, collecting, storing, brewing and drinking tea is a passion. Specialty shops cater to tea aficionados, and you can find all the supplies you need to press and brew your tea at home.

Things You'll Need

• Press and brew tea bags
• Iron
• Loose tea
• Spoon

Instructions

1. Fill one press and brew tea bag with your chosen tea blend using a teaspoon or scoop. Tea bags come in various sizes, but a small bag, measuring 2 1/2 inches by 2 3/4 inches will hold about two to four grams of tea.

2. Press the open edges of the bag together with a preheated iron. The seam must be free of loose tea particles.

3. Steep tea in hot water as you would normally brew a cup of tea.

Tips & Warnings

• Fill and seal a few bags ahead of time so that you'll have them on hand.

• Bags come in larger sizes, too; perfect for brewing a pot for two or more tea drinkers.

References

• Superfoods-for-Superhealth: Make your own herbal tea bags
• Tea Brewing Tips