How many times can you brew the same tea leaves?
Loose-leaf tea is brewed several times. How many infusions sencha, gyokuro, white, oolong and black tea can take, and how to lengthen each infusion after the first.
1 min read, 14 October 2026
Good loose-leaf tea is brewed several times. Each infusion draws something different from the leaves: the first brings aroma and sweetness, the next ones more structure, the last ones lightness. That's why a 50 g pack makes far more cups than you'd think.
How many infusions for which tea
- Sencha: 3 infusions (60 seconds, then 10–15 seconds, then 60 seconds).
- Gyokuro: 4 infusions.
- Hojicha and genmaicha: 2 infusions.
- White tea, such as Bai Mu Dan: 3–4 infusions, each a little longer.
- Oolong rolled into balls, such as Jin Xuan: 5 infusions or more, because the leaves unfurl gradually.
- Black loose-leaf tea: 2–3 infusions.
- Matcha: one, because you drink all the powder.
The rules
- Each time, pour out the infusion down to the last drop. Leaves left in water keep brewing and turn bitter.
- Make the next infusions within a few hours. Wet leaves left overnight lose their flavour.
- With green teas the second infusion is shorter than the first, because the leaves are already open. With oolongs, white and black teas, add a dozen or so seconds with each infusion.
How many cups is that
50 g of sencha makes about 12 servings of 4 g. With three infusions, that's around 36 cups from one pack. That's why loose-leaf tea, even good tea, costs less per cup than you might think.
Parameters for each of our teas: how to brew.
