We’ve all found ourselves in this conundrum - how do we make our tea if we don’t have a set of measuring spoons laying around or just can’t ever find them when we need them? Forget about ‘em! Instead, there’s tons of alternative ways to measure loose leaf tea using simple items around your kitchen.
In this situation, you might be tempted to eyeball and freely pour tea into your infuser or cup when making loose leaf tea. This can work, but it takes practice and knowing the differences between certain types of tea. Your highly-anticipated, and most likely expensive, cup of tea could turn out bitter or too weak. Or, it's possible that you’ve simply stayed away from trying loose leaf tea because it seems like too much of a hassle. We understand, but trust us - once you get the hang of it the delicious taste is worth a few extra steeping steps, and we’re here to make the process even easier!
Sips by is a personalized tea discovery subscription. Each month, we match tea drinkers across the U.S. with delicious teas from over 150 global tea brands that we’re sure they’ll love. Members receive 4 teas chosen just for them in every box. Learn more about our tea subscription service.
HOW TO MEASURE TEA
First, take a look at the instructions on your tea package to get an idea of what to measure. If your loose tea is small, broken leaves it will probably call for less tea - as little as 1 teaspoon - per 8 oz cup. But if your tea is large, unbroken leaves or has pieces of fruit or dried flowers you might need to add 1 or 2 teaspoons (tsp) to 1 tablespoon (tbsp) to make your perfect cup. For reference, a teaspoon is about the size of the tip of your finger or a quarter in your hand and a tablespoon is approximately half the size of a ping pong ball.
MEASURING SPOON EQUIVALENTS
Need an alternative way to measure out your tea? Look to your cutlery drawer! If you need...
- 1 teaspoon ~ fill a small spoon approximately halfway with tea
- 1.5 teaspoons ~ fill a small spoon with tea (keep level)
- 2 teaspoons ~ lightly heap an entire small spoon with tea
- 2.5 teaspoons ~ fill a large spoon approximately halfway with tea
- 1 tablespoon (3 tsp = 1 tbsp) ~ completely fill a large spoon with tea
IN A PINCH
- You can use bottle caps to measure out your tea. 1 bottle cap filled with tea will equal around 1 teaspoon.
- A standard shot glass equals three tablespoons, which means you can fill ⅓ of the glass with tea for 1 tbsp, or further divide the measurements for teaspoons.
- A standard size ice cream scoop equals 6.5 tablespoons, which you can use to contain and measure out your tea. Remember, approximate half of a ping pong ball for 1 tbsp or barely fill the bottom with tea and eyeball the size of 1-2 quarters for 1-2 teaspoons.
- The Pinch Method: When you're in a pinch, you can literally pinch your tea! This method works best with large leaf teas and herbal blends with big pieces of dried fruit and flowers. Use your front three fingers to pinch a bit of tea and add it to your infuser. We recommend 3-5 good sized pinches to equal 1 teaspoon.
BEST LOOSE LEAF TEA SHOP
Discover the best loose leaf teas as rated by Sips by's 700,000 tea-loving Members. Across all tea types, from black tea to green tea to herbal tea and more, these are the best loose leaf teas from different tea brands around the world. Find your favorite loose leaf tea - no matter the type or flavor of loose leaf tea you're searching for, Sips by has options you'll love. Discover your new favorite loose leaf tea, as well as disposable tea bag kits to make brewing loose leaf tea easy.
Interested in trying these teas and others? Subscribers receive 4 teas chosen just for them in every box. Learn more about our tea subscription box or explore the loose leaf tea shop.
About Sips by: We’re a female-founded and led startup that makes discovering tea fun, personalized, and affordable. The Sips by Box is the only multi-brand, personalized tea subscription box. Each month, we match tea drinkers across the U.S. with delicious teas from over 150 global tea brands that we’re sure they’ll love. Based out of Austin, Texas, we are adept at savoring a hot mug even when it’s seasonally inappropriate.
