Quick answer

To brew blueberry tea, use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf per 8 ounces of water at 205°F, steep for 3-5 minutes, then sweeten to taste. For iced tea, double the leaves, steep, then pour over ice.

Why water temperature matters

Blueberry tea is a black tea blend, so boiling water (212°F) can make it taste bitter and astringent. Letting the water cool to about 205°F—just off a rolling boil—keeps the black tea smooth while still releasing the blueberry and cornflower notes.

Hot vs. iced: what changes

The same blueberry tea works for both hot and iced cups, but the brewing method differs. For iced tea, you need a stronger concentrate so the ice doesn't dilute the flavor. Using double the tea leaves and a longer steep (5 minutes) gives you a bold base that stays fruity when chilled.

How to brew blueberry tea (hot & iced)

  1. Measure the leaves: Use 1 teaspoon of loose leaf blueberry tea per 8 ounces of water. For iced tea, use 2 teaspoons per 8 ounces to create a concentrate. Check that your spoon is level—too much tea makes the cup bitter.
  2. Heat the water: Heat fresh, filtered water to 205°F (just below boiling). If you don't have a thermometer, let a full boil sit for 30 seconds. Boiling water can scorch the black tea leaves, so err on the cooler side.
  3. Pour and steep: Pour the hot water over the tea leaves and steep for 3-5 minutes. For iced tea, steep the full 5 minutes. Set a timer—steeping longer than 5 minutes brings out bitterness.
  4. Strain and serve: Strain the leaves and pour the tea into your cup. For iced tea, let the concentrate cool for a few minutes, then pour over a glass filled with ice. If the iced tea tastes weak, add a little more concentrate rather than more ice.
  5. Sweeten to taste: Blueberry tea is naturally light and bright, but a little honey, sugar, or simple syrup can enhance the berry flavour. Stir in sweetener while the tea is still warm so it dissolves. Taste before adding—you can always add more, but you can't take it out.

The tea we use

  • Blueberry: Blueberry is a black tea blend with cornflower petals, blackberry leaves, and natural blueberry flavour. The black tea base and fruity additions mean it brews best at slightly below boiling and pairs well with a touch of sweetener.

    Blueberry

    Blueberry