The brewing of your tea impacts the flavour, taste and aroma of your tea. The temperature of the water and brewing time have a significant effect on the end product. Apart from the suggestions below, finding the perfect brewing time for herbal and red bush/green bush teas relies for the most part on personal preference. So don't be shy to play around and experiment!
Red bush and Green bush blends
Red bush and green bush teas should steep for a minimum of 5-8 min in boiling water ( 100 degrees) There is no danger in the tea becoming bitter as they are very low in tannin.
For the sweet blends (Spiced Apple Pie; Mzansi Summer), steep for at least 8 minutes.
Spiced Apple Pie loves a long lazy steep, preferably in a teapot. Don’t rush this one. It really pays in flavour and depth if you give it the time it deserves to brew. At least 8 minutes, but enjoy the tea over half an hour and you’ll be amazed at the ever-evolving flavour.
Mzansi Summer develops a pineapple sweetness beyond 8 minutes, but as a hot tea, the lavender can at some point be too bitter for some palettes. If this happens, chill the tea and enjoy as an iced tea.
With time Roseberry becomes zestier, with the brewing of the Hibiscus and Rosehip, start with 3-5 minutes and test where you like it the best.
Herbal blends:
Depending on the ingredients, most herbal blends can be brewed at 100 degrees and for at least 5-8 minutes. Chill Bill contains wonderful Olive leaf and should not be steeped for more than 5 minutes otherwise the bitterness of the olive leaf can overshadow the beautiful chamomile. But if an astringent taste is what you are after, then brew!
White, Green and Black Teas
Keep in mind that White and Green tea should be brewed in water between 70-80 degrees. Black tea, can be brewed at 100 degrees. White and Green tea, should not brew for longer than 2-3 min. Black tea can brew for 3-5 minutes. ( Time can be increased when using full leaves instead of cut leaves) The temperature of the water and a too long brew can result in a very bitter taste due to the tannin content in the tea. When wanting to do a second brew with your tea leaves, you can add boiling water to the tea, as most of the tannins are already released with the first brew and the tea will not become bitter.