Brewing ManualNo. 003 · Revised May 2026
A small ceremony,
three minutes long.
notes on water, leaves & patience
Brewing tea is not complicated. But it is precise. Water temperature, steep time, leaf ratio — these small decisions separate a good cup from a great one. This manual exists so you never have to guess.
01Clean waterFiltered. Hard water flattens muscatel.
02Right ratio1 tsp per 200 ml. Loose-leaf, never dust.
03A timerSet it. Tea forgives a lot, not over-steeping.
Water temp92 °C
Leaf ratio1 tsp / 200 ml
Steep time3 min exactly
steep00:00left
Pick a tea
The Method
Darjeeling
- 01Heat filtered water to 92 °C — just off the boil. Hard water mutes the muscatel, so filter if possible.
- 02Warm the teapot or cup by swirling a splash of hot water in it, then discard.
- 03Add 1 level teaspoon of loose-leaf Darjeeling per 200 ml of water.
- 04Pour the hot water over the leaves in a gentle circular motion to ensure even saturation.
- 05Steep for exactly 3–4 minutes. Set the timer now — over-steeping turns it bitter.
- 06Strain into your cup and sip immediately. Add milk only after tasting the bare cup first.
Darjeeling03:00of 3 min
Brewing cheat-sheet
Every brew, one page.
A quick reference for the kettle-curious.
01
Darjeeling Premium
Singell Estate · First Flush
Water92 °CJust off the boil
Ratio1 tsp / 200 mlLoose-leaf only
Steep3–4 minSet a timer
Add-onsOptional milkAfter steeping
Best timeMorningFirst cup of the day
02
Kashmiri Noon Chai
Pampore Co-op · Pink salt
WaterRolling boilFull 100 °C
Ratio1 tbsp / cupGenerous measure
Steep20–30 minPatience required
Add-onsEqual milk · SaltBaking soda optional
Best timeAfternoon · WinterWith company
03
Iced Darjeeling
Cold-brew · No heat needed
WaterCold · FridgeNo boiling needed
Ratio2 tsp / 500 mlDouble the leaves
Steep8 hoursOvernight works best
Add-onsNoneOr a slice of lemon
Best timeSummer afternoonsServe over ice
Brewing questions
Things people
ask the kettle.
Why does my Darjeeling taste bitter?
Almost always over-steeping. Pull the leaves at 3 minutes sharp — 92 °C water, no lid, no lingering. Bitter means tannins ran. The sweetness and muscatel come through fast once you stop on time.