Use Fresh Cold Water: Don’t use stale water that has been sitting in the kettle.

Don’t Use Boiling Water: Boiling water can ruin the delicate flavor of white tea. Most experts agree that the ideal water temperature for white tea is between 170 – 185 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 85 degrees Celsius). For best results, bring the water to a rolling boil and let it sit for up to one minute, then pour the water over the leaves.

Be Generous When Adding Tea Leaves: White tea leaves are much less dense and compact than other types, which means that you’ll probably want to increase the amount of tea leaves that you normally use. Start by using 2 teaspoons of white tea leaves for every cup (8 ounces) of water. Do a taste test and then add or subtract more leaves as desired.

When it Comes to Steeping Times, More is Better: Specific times can vary depending on the brand of white tea you are using. However, 5 to 8 minutes for the first steeping is generally recommended, with another 2 to 3 minutes for each additional cup. Purveyors of specialty brands such as Silver Needles frequently recommend steeping the tea for up to 15 minutes.