Water Temperature Guide for Tea
The right water temperature for every tea type - and why it matters.
Recommended temperatures
| Tea Type | Temperature | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Green tea (delicate) | 70–75°C (158–167°F) | Preserves amino acids and avoids extracting bitter catechins |
| Green tea (robust) | 75–85°C (167–185°F) | Stronger flavor extraction for pan-fired greens |
| White tea | 80–90°C (176–194°F) | Gentle extraction to keep delicate aromas |
| Yellow tea | 80–85°C (176–185°F) | Similar to white, with slightly more body |
| Oolong | 85–95°C (185–203°F) | Releases complex aromatics; higher for darker oolongs |
| Black tea | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | Full extraction of tannins and bold flavor compounds |
| Pu-erh | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | Activates microbial compounds and breaks down compressed leaves |
| Dark tea | 95–100°C (203–212°F) | Same reasoning as pu-erh |
Altitude adjustment
Water boils at lower temperatures at altitude. Above 1,500 m / 5,000 ft, you may need to extend steep times by 20–40% to compensate for lower extraction.