A Perfect Cup
From the four corners of the world, Cornelia Bean brings together some of the finest white, green, pu-erh, oolong, black teas, as well as rooibos, spice, fruit and herbal infusions. The flavour of a good tea is similar to the complexity of a fine wine. Each tea, even from neighbouring gardens produces a leaf with its own unique qualities and nuances.
Cornelia Bean has over 300 loose teas and tisanes to offer. When you visit the store you'll see the front counter laden with sniffing jars for each "tea" we carry. It is our pleasure to guide you through the different groupings and help you find teas that will be most appealing to you. The sniffing jars allow you to use the distinct aroma of each tea as part of your buying decision.
Hot Tea
You'll Need
- Vess6el
- Tea
- Water
Steps
1. Start with cold, filtered water. It's important to understand that cold water contains more oxygen, and oxygen is a key part of the process of releasing the tea's flavour. Never use hot tap water. If possible use filtered water, bottled spring water or sweet well water for the best results.
2. Measure leaves, generally use one level teaspoon of dry leaves for each 8-ounce cup of water.
3. Steep based on the type of tea. Each Cornelia Bean loose leaf tea package indicates the type of tea and provides recommendations for steeping.
Black Tea
Steep between 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your taste, in water temperature of 210° F.
Herbal Infusions, Including Rooibos and Fruit Teas
Steep for a minimum of 5 minutes up to several hours, in water temperature of 210° F.
Green Tea
Steep for 2 minutes or less in water temperature of 180° F.
PuErh Tea
Steep for 4 minutes or less in water temperature of 180° F.
Oolong Tea
Steep between 3 to 5 minutes, depending on your taste, in water temperature of 180° F.
White Tea
Steep upwards of 5 minutes, in water temperature of 160° F.
Green, White and Oolong teas are high in antioxidants as well as other wellness properties. In order to access those properties to the fullest extent, a longer steeping time at a lower water temperature is recommended:
- Let the water cool for up to 2 minutes before adding the tea leaves
- Steep the leaves for 8-10 minutes.
Green and White tea leaves can be re-infused two or three times. Oolong tea leaves can be re-infused up to 7 or 8 times.
Cold Brew Tea
You'll Need
- Vessel
- Tea
- Water
Steps
Measurements based on a 1000ml vessel
1. Measure 2 to 3 tablespoons of loose leaf tea into the vessel. Black, green, oolong, and white teas work best.
2. Add cold or room temperature filtered water.
3. Let steep overnight in your fridge.
Iced Tea
You'll Need
- Vessel
- Tea
- Water
Steps
Use 100g for every 1L of water. We like to make a concentrated brew; that way when you add ice, your tea dilutes to the perfect taste. We do not add any sweetener.
1. Bring the water to a boil, add water to tea leaves.
2. Steep the leaves for 8+ hours.
3. Strain out tea leaves, and store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Matcha
You'll Need
- Bamboo whisk
- Bamboo measuring scoop
- 2 vessels, one soaking the bamboo whisk before/after, one for the matcha
- Ceremonial grade matcha
- Gooseneck kettle
Steps
1. Soak Whisk to soften bristles and cleanse
2. Sift 1tsp of matcha (approx 2 grams) into whisking bowl
3. Add 3oz of water (Temperature between 160-180F, this would be a few minutes off the boil)
4. Whisk matcha until frothy
Additional Tips
Storing Tea
Air and light are two factors that breakdown the beautiful aroma and freshness of tea leaves. Therefore, ideally, tea should be stored in an airtight container that won't let in light. Refrigerating or freezing tea is not recommended. For more, visit this post on our blog!
Use a Reliable Steeper such as:
- Verre Infusion beaker
- The Wall Tea cup
- Bee House Tea Pot
- HARIO Filter-In-Bottle