Brewing

Whole rose buds need more leaf and gentler water than people expect. Quantities, temperature and timing for a rose tea that tastes floral, not soapy.

Cold brewing ratios and times for pandan, lemongrass, peppermint, roselle and butterfly pea — plus the one botanical that will not work cold.

A teaspoon of rose buds and a teaspoon of pandan do not weigh the same. Per-botanical measurements for loose leaf tea, with and without scales.

How many dried stevia leaves per cup, when to add them, and why stevia will not sweeten a cold brew. A practical dosing guide for whole leaf.

Bitter lemongrass tea is almost always a brewing fault, not bad lemongrass. The four usual causes and how to fix each one.

The Thai tea sock and the fine-mesh strainer do different jobs. Which one you need, how to use it, and how to clean it so it does not taint the next brew.