A cup of tea is a cup of peace.A perfect cup of tea needs the right amount of water at the right temperature, the ideal amount of tea leaves, the exact time to allow the leaves to steep. The idea is for the tea leaves to show this magic by disseminating the full flavour and aroma of each sip.

Steeping the Tea
You've probably heard that steeping can bring total success or a complete failure to make a cup of tea. And, this is true. For those who enjoy making tea, steeping is much more important than brewing tea. One reason for this is different steeping times for different types of teas. It's very delicate, and to make a perfect cup of tea, you'll need to master the steeping technique.

So, steeping begins when you pour hot water over a tea strainer, infuser, tea bag, or teapot. The main purpose of steeping is, of course, to infuse the water with tea bags or loose tea leaves. It is important to know that overstepping can lead to bitterness. So, it's crucial to remember the exact steep times for different types of teas.

Steeping Times
Knowing steeping times for different types of teas are going to be of great help. Here are the exact times, temperatures, and measures to steep tea:

● Black Tea - 3-4 mins, 203°F (95°C) - 0.5 tsp/cup

● Green Tea - 2-3 mins, 160°F (74 to 85°C) - 1 tsp/cup

● Oolong Tea - 3 mins, 203°F (95°C) - 0.5 tsp/cup

● Herbal Tea - 2-3 mins, 203°F (95°C) - 1 tsp/cup

● White Tea - 1-2 mins, 185°F (85°C) - 1 tsp/cup

Tips for Successful Tea Steeping:

● The microwave can be used to heat water in a pinch, but it is not recommended for optimal tea steeping results. A proper tea kettle is recommended.
● Instead of adding the tea leaves to a cup or pot that already has hot water, pour the boiling water over them.
● While steeping, make sure the tea infuser is completely submerged beneath the water. This will allow the leaves to expand and open properly, releasing their full flavour.
● To avoid over-steeping, remove the infuser or tea bag as soon as the steeping is complete.
● If you're using tea bags, avoid squeezing them during the steeping process, as this can cause bitterness.
● You may want to preheat your teapot before steeping. This step helps to keep your teapot from cracking as a result of the sudden temperature change. Simply pour some of the hot water into the empty teapot and swirl it around to warm it. The water should then be discarded.

Is over steeping really that bad?
Steeping your tea allows you to impart the nutrients found in the tea leaves to the water or liquid in which the leaves are steeped; however, over-steeping imparts more nutrients and flavours from the tea leaves, according to a study published in the 2007 issue of the Journal of Chromatography. These extra nutrients have various health benefits, some of which are outlined below:
● Cancer-Fighting Property
Over-steeping gives more of the antioxidant properties of the tea to the liquid you consume. These antioxidants, such as ECGC, have been investigated in the field of cancer prevention.
● Mental Alert
Most teas contain caffeine; however, the longer the tea leaves are steep, the more caffeine is given to the liquid. Caffeine is bitter, and it may be a reason why people don't have over-steep tea.
● Prevention of Parkinson's
Overstepping your tea may result in bitter tea, but this can be avoided by using the proper temperature to brew the tea. That means 106 degrees Fahrenheit for green tea and 200 degrees Fahrenheit for black tea, according to Planet Tea.

So next time, if you’re looking for extra nutrients from your cuppa, you could consider over steeping your tea!