And for all of those olive leaf tea newcomers – and we entirely understand why you are! – Shall we give you a promise? Because, we kid you not, this process is astonishingly easy and, frankly, far easier, we think, than making up a decent cuppa of green tea. There's no delicate temperature window to worry about and no risk of it turning bitter if you get distracted for an extra minute. Here's precisely how to make olive leaf tea in your own home- plus an alternative take to put on it once you get the basics down.
The Basic Method: How to Make Olive Leaf Tea
Brewing olive leaf tea in the simplest terms consists of: water, leaves (dried), a tea bag, and a little patience. Here's what you'll require, and how to do it:
Here's what you'll require:
- One olive leaf tea bag, or a spoon of loose dried olive leaves
- One cup of hot water, just off the boil
- A mug or teapot
- A strainer, if you're using loose leaves
How to make:
- Bring water to a boil, then rest for half a minute or so before you pour, as water immediately after a boil can burn the delicate tea leaves.
- Pour water into your tea bag or loose leaves in your cup or teapot.
- Steep tea leaves for 4 to 5 minutes so the flavour can be released from them.
- Strain out the tea leaves (if applicable) if desired after steeping.
- Sip a bit, and if desired, let it steep for an additional minute or two to increase strength if desired rather than adding more leaves.
That's pretty much it! Unlike green tea, which goes bitter in about 2 minutes if steeped too long, you don't really need to watch olive tea, set a timer, or stand over it while it brews, as overstepping it may just make a slightly stronger cup, not a bad one. This is great tea to make when you have a few morning things you need to do - pack lunch, get dressed, anything really that you may be doing over and above making your cup of tea.
1 small suggestion: because olive leaf tea is smooth, it's generally enjoyed with nothing at all: no sugar, honey, or milk. But if you'd prefer a little sweetness, stir a little honey in.
Alternative Brewing Methods for Olive Leaf Tea
Feeling adventurous? Or is the weather acting up? If so, then by all means, experiment! The simple hot brew isn't the only way to enjoy a cup of olive leaf tea:
If there's one easy substitution to start, it's the cold brewing method: just pop your loose-leaf tea or tea bag in a pitcher with some cold water and stash it in the fridge overnight (give it around eight hours to infuse). And that, my friends, you can simply strain and pour over ice first thing in the morning. It ends up just a little bit lighter, sweeter, and more refreshing. Perfect when you don't really feel like something warm to sip on.
Or, for a more flavourful cup of tea but not a longer brew, simply toss in an additional teabag to your recipe, or a small scoop or so more, and that will bring up the flavour a bit without a much longer steep time.
Want an intense iced tea option instead of adding hot to iced, brew a strong cuppa (for the hot version), let it simmer to room temperature, and add it to a glass filled to the brim with ice cubes. This will prevent your tea from becoming too diluted, which happens at times with iced teas. If you feel inclined, you could add some mint leaves with some fresh, ice-cubed lemon slices for something more refreshing, or you can trust me that the tea alone would sing your heart out.
Quick Tip: Don't make this brew with boiling water - it can be a bit overpowering for the leaf, and you can be left with something slightly murky at the bottom. Also, avoid steeping for more than 8 to 10 minutes at a time, since beyond a certain point, extra steeping mostly just adds strength without adding much new flavour. And if you're using loose leaves rather than a tea bag, make sure to strain them out once you're done steeping; leaving them in the cup for too long can make the tea taste heavier than intended.
Whether you keep it simple with the basic hot brew or start experimenting with cold brews and stronger cups, the process stays fairly forgiving throughout, which is part of what makes olive leaf tea an easy one to actually stick with. If you're ready to try it yourself, our Classic Olive Tea is a straightforward place to start, made from single-sourced leaves and simple enough to brew exactly the way described above, whether that's your first cup or your fiftieth.
