Nemi Teas: How to Brew Loose Leaf Without Bitterness
By Bella Barista | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to brew Nemi Teas loose leaf without bitterness. Follow our step-by-step guide to water temperature, steeping time, and leaf quantity for a smooth cup.
Quick answer
To brew Nemi Teas without bitterness, use water just off the boil (around 90–95°C for black tea), steep for 3–5 minutes, and remove the leaves promptly. Measure about one teaspoon of loose leaf per cup and avoid over-steeping.
Why Nemi Teas turn bitter and how to prevent it
Bitterness in black tea comes from tannins released during steeping. The longer the leaves stay in hot water, the more tannins dissolve. Nemi's English Breakfast is described as full-bodied and brisk, so it can become harsh if you treat it like a delicate green tea. Using water that is too hot or steeping for too long are the two most common mistakes.
The fix is simple: control temperature and time. A thermometer helps, but you can also let boiled water rest for a minute or two before pouring. Remove the leaves as soon as the steep time is up—don't let them sit in the cup.
The role of leaf quantity and water quality
Too many leaves can also make tea bitter, while too few leaves make it weak and you may be tempted to steep longer. Start with one teaspoon per 200–250 ml cup and adjust to taste. Fresh, filtered water makes a noticeable difference because chlorine and minerals can mask the tea's flavour.
Step-by-step: brewing Nemi Teas without bitterness
- Measure the leaves: Add one teaspoon (about 2–3 grams) of Nemi Teas loose leaf per 200–250 ml of water. If you prefer a stronger cup, add more leaves rather than steeping longer. Using too few leaves often leads to over-steeping—check your spoon size.
- Heat the water correctly: Bring fresh water to a boil, then let it cool for 1–2 minutes to reach about 90–95°C. For a precise reading, use a thermometer. Boiling water can scorch black tea leaves and amplify bitterness.
- Pour and start timing: Pour the hot water over the leaves and steep for 3–5 minutes. Taste at 3 minutes—if it's already strong enough, stop there. Steeping longer than 5 minutes almost always extracts harsh tannins.
- Remove the leaves: Strain the tea or lift out the infuser as soon as the desired strength is reached. Don't leave leaves in the cup. Even 30 extra seconds can change the balance—set a timer.
- Add milk if desired: For a classic breakfast tea, add a splash of milk after removing the leaves. Milk can soften slight astringency, but it won't fix an over-steeped cup. If the tea tastes bitter before milk, adjust steeping time next round.
Product facts
- Nemi Teas: Nemi Teas English Breakfast is a full-bodied black tea blend in biodegradable pyramids. The robust character means it can handle a splash of milk, but it also needs careful steeping to avoid bitterness.
Nemi Teas
