How to Brew Loose-Leaf Tea with Tea Sub and Tulip Infusers
By OTOTO DESIGN | Published: 2026-10-14
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step guide to brewing loose-leaf tea with OTOTO's Tea Sub and Tulip infusers, including fill levels, steep times, and cleanup tips that prevent floating and bitterness.
Quick answer
Fill your Tea Sub or Tulip infuser about halfway with loose leaves, leaving room for them to expand. Steep in hot water for 2–4 minutes depending on the tea type, then lift the infuser out and rest it on its base or a small dish. Both are silicone tea strainers designed by OTOTO, so they work best with medium to large leaf teas and a gentle hand wash.
Pick the right leaf size for your infuser
Silicone tea strainers like the Tulip and Tea Sub have small openings that hold back most leaves, but very fine teas such as fannings or dusty matcha can slip through and leave grit in your cup. For best results, choose whole-leaf or broken-leaf teas: rolled oolong, full-leaf black, large-leaf white, or chunky herbal blends. If you only have fine tea, use a slightly coarser cut or accept that some sediment will settle at the bottom—this is a limitation of the infuser style, not a defect.
Preheat your cup and measure the leaves
Pour a little hot water into your mug, swirl, and discard it. This warms the cup so your tea stays hot longer. Then add loose leaves to the infuser: about 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water for most teas, or 1.5 teaspoons for large-leaf whites and oolongs. Don't pack the infuser more than half full—leaves need room to unfurl. If you overfill, the tea will taste weak because water can't circulate.
Steep at the right temperature and time
Heat water to the right temperature for your tea: around 175°F (80°C) for green and white, 195°F (90°C) for oolong, and 200–212°F (93–100°C) for black and herbal. Lower the filled infuser into the cup, leaving the top above the rim if possible. Steep 2–3 minutes for green and white, 3–4 minutes for oolong, and 4–5 minutes for black or herbal. Taste at the shorter end—over-steeping is the most common mistake and makes tea bitter.
Remove, rest, and reuse
Lift the infuser straight up and let it drain over the cup for a second. Rest it on a small saucer or its base to avoid dripping on the counter. Many whole-leaf teas can be steeped a second or third time; just add fresh hot water and increase the time slightly. Between steeps, don't leave the wet leaves sitting in the infuser for hours—they can turn sour. If you're brewing for a crowd, the Tea Sub, Tulip, and Red gift set gives you three infusers so everyone can steep their own cup.
Step-by-step brewing with Tea Sub or Tulip
- Warm the cup: Fill your mug with hot tap water, let it sit for 30 seconds, then dump it. This prevents your tea from cooling too fast. Checkpoint: the cup should feel warm to the touch before you add tea.
- Fill the infuser halfway: Add 1 teaspoon of loose leaves per 8 ounces of water. Leave the top half empty so leaves can expand. Common mistake: packing the infuser full, which blocks water flow and leaves the tea weak.
- Lower into hot water: Place the filled infuser into the cup and pour hot water over the leaves, or lower it into already-heated water. Keep the top above the rim if it hooks on. Checkpoint: the infuser should sit upright, not tip over and spill leaves.
- Time your steep: Steep 2–3 minutes for green/white, 3–4 for oolong, 4–5 for black/herbal. Set a timer—don't guess. Common mistake: steeping too long, which releases tannins and makes tea bitter.
- Remove and rest: Lift the infuser out and set it on a saucer or its base. Don't squeeze the leaves; that adds harsh flavors. Next step: taste the tea. If it's too strong, shorten the steep next time; if too weak, add more leaves or a few seconds.
- Clean promptly: Empty the leaves into the trash (not the sink, which can clog), then rinse the infuser with warm water. For a deeper clean, wash with mild dish soap and a soft sponge. Checkpoint: silicone can hold odors if left dirty, so rinse within an hour of use.
Product facts
- Tulip: Tulip is a tea infuser designed by OTOTO in collaboration with Orr Dagan, available in multiple colors. The color option lets you match your kitchen or assign a personal infuser to each tea drinker.
- Tea Sub, Tulip, Red: The Tea Sub, Tulip, Red set includes three infusers: Tea Sub, Tulip, and Red, designed by OTOTO. A three-piece set is practical for households where several people brew different teas at the same time.
- Katie, Tulip, Fun Guy: The Katie, Tulip, Fun Guy set includes three whimsical kitchen companions designed by OTOTO, suitable for Valentine's Day gifting or a cheerful treat. If you want a gift that covers steeping and other kitchen tasks, this trio offers more variety than a single infuser.
