Steeping time directly affects the extraction of tannins, caffeine, and flavor compounds. Too short and the tea tastes weak; too long and it becomes bitter and astringent. Each tea type has an optimal window — green teas release bitterness quickly, while herbal infusions need more time to fully develop their flavors.

Green tea is best brewed at 160–180°F (70–80°C). Using boiling water scorches the delicate leaves, resulting in a bitter, unpleasant taste. If you don't have a temperature-controlled kettle, let boiling water sit for about 2 minutes before pouring over green tea leaves.

It depends on the tea type. Oolong and Pu-erh can often be steeped 5–8+ times, with each infusion revealing new flavor layers. Green and white teas typically yield 2–4 good infusions. Black tea usually gives 1–3 infusions. Add 15–30 seconds per subsequent steep for best results.

Yes — but strength doesn't equal quality. Extended steeping extracts more caffeine and tannins, making tea stronger but also increasingly bitter and astringent. Beyond the recommended time, you're mostly extracting undesirable compounds rather than pleasant flavors. Use the timer to hit the sweet spot.

Steeping refers to soaking tea leaves in hot water below boiling point for a relatively short time (usually 1–7 minutes). Brewing is a broader term that can include boiling (like for chai or some herbal teas). For most teas, "steeping" is the correct term — gentle extraction without active boiling.

This timer is optimized for hot steeping (up to 15 minutes). Cold brew tea typically requires 6–12 hours in the refrigerator. For cold brew, we recommend using a kitchen timer or phone alarm instead. However, you can use this timer for quick cold-brew methods like flash-chilling over ice.

Bitterness can come from several factors: water too hot (especially for green/white teas), too many leaves relative to water, low-quality tea with broken leaves that release tannins faster, or water quality issues. Try lowering the temperature by 10–15°F and using filtered water for a cleaner taste.

The steep counter tracks which infusion you're on. After completing your first steep, click the + button to move to Steep #2. This is especially useful for oolong and pu-erh teas that benefit from multiple infusions. The counter is for your reference only and doesn't affect the timer — adjust the time manually for subsequent steeps.