Whether you’re starting your morning, winding down after work, or just craving a comforting cuppa, knowing how to make a cup of tea with simple steps can turn an ordinary moment into a small daily ritual.
It’s more than just adding hot water to leaves. With just a bit of know-how — from choosing the right tea ingredients to getting your brew time spot on — you can elevate your tea game in no time. So, if you’ve been wondering, “how do I make a cup of tea?” or looking for clear steps for making tea, you’re in the right place.
Here's a quick instruction for every chai tea recipe, for a quick sip of healing after a stressful day.
How to Make a Cup of Tea (Simple Steps to Brew It Right)
Step 1: Select Your Tea Type
The first step in any tea preparation is choosing your tea base. Here are the main players and what they bring to the table:
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Black Tea – Strong, bold, and perfect with milk or a slice of lemon. Great for morning energy.
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Green Tea – Light, grassy, and refreshing. Best enjoyed without milk.
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White Tea – Delicate and subtle. Minimal processing, maximum elegance.
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Herbal Tea – Naturally caffeine-free, often floral, fruity or earthy. Think chamomile, peppermint, or rooibos.
Each type of tea has its own ideal brew method — so don’t skip the next step.
Step 2: Measure Your Ingredients
To make a great cup of tea, you’ll need:
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1 teaspoon (roughly 2 grams) of loose-leaf tea per 250ml cup, or
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1 tea bag for one standard cup
Tip: If you're using a teapot, scale it up — 1 teaspoon per person, plus one for the pot.
Using a mug? Standard Aussie mugs hold about 300ml — feel free to round up the tea if you like it strong.
Step 3: Heat the Water — But Not Too Hot
Getting the water temperature right is one of the most underrated steps for making tea. Here's your water heating cheat sheet:
| Tea Type | Water Temp | Brewing Note |
|---|---|---|
| Black Tea | 90–98°C | Use freshly boiled water |
| Green Tea | 80–85°C | Let boiled water sit for 30–60 secs first |
| White Tea | 75–80°C | Delicate – don’t scorch the leaves |
| Herbal Tea | 98°C | A full boil brings out the best flavours |
Don’t reboil water — it loses oxygen, which can leave your tea tasting flat and lifeless. Always start with cold, fresh tap water.
And yes, if you’ve ever thought about how to cook tea, this is the part where you’re technically “cooking” those leaves with precision.
Step 4: Brew Time – Let It Steep
This is where the magic happens. Steeping extracts all the goodness from the leaves. Here's how long to let it brew:
| Tea Type | Brew Time |
|---|---|
| Black Tea | 3–5 minutes |
| Green Tea | 2–3 minutes |
| White Tea | 2–4 minutes |
| Herbal Tea | 5–7 minutes |
The longer you steep, the stronger the flavour — but overdo it, and you risk bitterness (especially with green or black teas). Taste as you go to find your sweet spot.
Step 5: Strain, Sip, and Savour
Once steeped, remove the tea bag or strain out the loose leaves. This is your moment to personalise:
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Add milk (for black teas)
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A slice of lemon (never with milk)
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Honey or sugar if you like it sweet
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Or just enjoy it pure and unadorned
No matter how you serve it, brewing tea should be as enjoyable as drinking it. It’s your daily dose of calm in a cup.
How to Make a Cup of Chai Tea (the Cosy Way)
Let’s talk chai. Not just tea — spiced, milky magic in a mug. It’s warm, comforting, and deeply rooted in tradition. And if you’re wondering how to make tea step by step when it comes to chai? It’s easier than you think, especially with a ready-to-go chai blend like Monk’s Chai.
Made with real spices and black tea, Monk’s Chai gives you that full-bodied flavour without the 20-minute stovetop commitment.
What You’ll Need
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1 heaped teaspoon Monk’s Chai blend (per cup)
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½ cup water
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½ cup milk or plant-based alternative
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Small saucepan
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Strainer or tea infuser
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Optional: sweetener (honey, sugar, maple syrup). Please note that Monk’s Chai has already got that flavour.
Step-by-Step Chai Instructions
1. Boil Water
Start with fresh water and bring it to a boil. Use about ½ cup (120ml) for one serving.
2. Add Chai Blend
Once boiling, stir in 1 heaped teaspoon of Monk’s Chai. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes — this is where the tea and spices start to cook and come alive.
3. Add Milk
Pour in ½ cup milk (or your go-to alt-milk). Stir and let the whole thing brew gently for another 2–3 minutes. The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavour.
4. Strain and Serve
Turn off the heat. Strain your chai into a cup using a fine mesh strainer to catch the spices. Add sweetener if desired.
5. Sip and Melt Into the Moment
Chai is best enjoyed hot, fresh, and ideally with a snack and a quiet moment to yourself.
Iced Chai? Yes, Please.
Craving something chilled? Here’s how to prepare iced chai in seconds:
Mix equal parts brewed chai and cold milk, pour over ice, stir, and sip. No need to heat — just chill and enjoy.
Take Your Chai Experience to the Next Level
Want to find the best snacks and drinks to pair with your cup?
Don’t miss: The Ultimate Guide to Chai Snacks & Drinks Pairings
Monk’s Chai – Real Chai, No Compromises
There’s tea, and then there’s chai — bold, spiced, and soul-hugging. If you’re hunting for the best chai tea Melbourne has to offer, Monk’s Chai is your go-to. Made with whole spices and brewed for full flavour, it's real chai — no shortcuts, no compromises.
Whether you want to make it hot, cold, or frothy like a café-style latte, Monk’s Chai lets you enjoy the art of chai at home with ease.
👉 Discover Monk’s Chai and taste the difference. Your perfect chai moment starts now.
