1. Preheat the teapot by filling with hot water.  Be sure to pour the hot water out of the pot before adding the tea leaves.

2. Add one teaspoon of tea leaves per cup.  You may need to add more depending on your personal taste.

3. If brewing black or oolong tea; bring fresh, cold water to a roaring boil and pour it over the leaves.  If brewing white or green tea, use water that is just starting to steam, since these tea leaves are more delicate than black leaves.  

4. Infusion times:  May need to be adjusted according to taste

Black tea: 3-5 minutes 

Green tea: 2-3 minutes 

White tea: 2-3 minutes 

Oolong tea: 2-5 minutes 

Fruit and Herb Blends: 5-7 minutes

If your cup of tea taste bitter or harsh it may have been over brewed.