How many grams of tea for 2 cups? The ultimate guide to perfect brewing

January 6, 2026 •

4 min read

The industry standard for brewing loose leaf tea is approximately 2 to 3 grams per 8-ounce cup, which means you typically need 4 to 6 grams of tea for 2 cups. However, this is just a starting point, as factors like tea type, leaf density, and personal preference can alter the optimal amount for a perfectly balanced infusion.

Quick Summary

The ideal amount of tea for two cups generally falls between 4 and 6 grams for a standard brew, but varies depending on the specific tea and desired flavor intensity. Using a digital scale offers the most consistent results, providing more accuracy than volume-based measurements like a teaspoon. Adjustments are crucial for different tea types and personal taste.

Key Points

Start with 4-6 Grams: A good baseline for brewing 2 standard 8-ounce cups of tea is 4 to 6 grams of loose leaf tea.
Weigh Your Tea for Accuracy: Using a digital scale is far more accurate than a teaspoon, as tea leaf density varies greatly between types.
Adjust for Tea Type: Fluffy teas like white tea require more volume, while dense oolongs and black teas might use less volume for the same weight.
Scale for Strength: If you prefer a stronger brew, add slightly more tea rather than increasing the steeping time, which can lead to bitterness.
Customize Your Brew: The 'perfect' amount is subjective. Use the recommended ratios as a starting point and adjust based on your personal taste.

Understanding the Standard Tea-to-Water Ratio

For a delicious, balanced cup of tea, consistency is key. The most reliable method involves weighing your tea leaves rather than relying on volume measurements like teaspoons, which can vary wildly depending on the type and size of the leaf. The widely accepted Western brewing standard suggests using 2 to 3 grams of loose leaf tea per 8 ounces (240 ml) of water. Following this standard, the answer to how many grams of tea for 2 cups is a straightforward calculation: 4 to 6 grams of loose leaf tea.

This simple math provides a solid foundation for your brewing, but is just the first step. The perfect cup is subjective, and you can and should adjust this ratio based on your preferences. If you desire a stronger, bolder brew, you can use slightly more tea, while a lighter, more delicate infusion may call for less.

The Problem with Teaspoons

While the "one teaspoon per cup" rule has been passed down for generations, it's a deeply flawed metric for achieving precision. Here's why using a digital scale is superior:

Varying Leaf Density: Teas come in a vast range of shapes and sizes. A teaspoon of fluffy, voluminous white tea like Bai Mudan weighs significantly less than a teaspoon of dense, tightly rolled gunpowder green tea or dark, compressed Pu-erh. This makes the teaspoon a highly inaccurate tool for consistent brewing.
Standardization: Measuring in grams provides a universal unit of measurement. When you read a brewing guide or recipe, a gram is always a gram, regardless of the tea or the utensil used. This eliminates guesswork and ensures you can replicate a perfect cup every time.
Precision and Control: A small kitchen or pocket scale allows you to make precise adjustments. Want a slightly stronger brew? Add an extra half-gram. Prefer it lighter? Reduce the amount. This level of control is impossible to achieve with a teaspoon.

How Tea Type Affects Your Measurement

The optimal weight of tea for 2 cups is not a one-size-fits-all figure. Different tea varieties require adjustments to achieve their best flavor profile.

Black Tea and Oolong: Many black teas and rolled oolongs are denser. The standard 2-3 grams per 8 oz cup is a good starting point. For two cups, aim for the 5-6 gram range.
Green and White Tea: These teas, especially fluffy white teas like Silver Needle, are often much less dense. They require more volume to reach the same weight. You may need to use a slightly higher gram count for a similar flavor intensity, or stick with the 4-6 gram range for a softer brew. Using water that is too hot will scorch the delicate leaves and create bitterness, so temperature is just as important as weight here.
Herbal Infusions: Herbs, flowers, and fruits vary wildly in density. For two cups of a chamomile or peppermint blend, you might start with 6-8 grams to ensure a robust flavor, as they are often lighter and require more material to extract their full taste.

Brewing for 2 Cups: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making tea for two doesn't need to be complicated. Here's how to ensure a perfect brew every time:

Gather Your Tools: A small digital scale, your favorite loose leaf tea, a 16-ounce (or two 8-ounce) vessel, and fresh water.
Heat Your Water: Use fresh, filtered water for the best flavor. Heat it to the correct temperature for your tea type. For black tea, boil to 212°F (100°C); for green or white, 175-185°F (79-85°C) is ideal.
Weigh the Tea: For a standard brew, measure out 4 to 6 grams of tea leaves. Adjust this amount based on the tea type and your personal preference for strength. Remember, more tea will increase strength, while longer steeping can add bitterness.
Steep the Leaves: Add the weighed tea to your teapot or infuser. Pour the heated water over the leaves. Set a timer for the recommended steeping duration for your tea variety.
Serve and Enjoy: Once steeped, remove the leaves to prevent over-extraction. Pour into your cups and savor your perfectly measured tea.

Tea Measurement Comparison for 2 Cups


Tea Type	Grams for 2 Cups (16 oz)	Teaspoon Estimate (Approx.)	Flavor Profile (Standard Brew)
Black Tea	6g	2 slightly heaped tsp	Full-bodied, robust, malty
Green Tea	4-5g	2 level tsp	Fresh, vegetal, clean
White Tea	4-6g	2-3 heaping tsp	Delicate, subtle, floral
Oolong Tea	5-6g	2 level tsp (for rolled)	Complex, ranging from floral to nutty
Herbal Tea	6-8g	3-4 heaping tsp	Variable, often light and fragrant

Conclusion

Ultimately, mastering the question of how many grams of tea for 2 cups comes down to understanding that precision is key. While 4 to 6 grams is an excellent starting point for most loose leaf teas, the exact amount is best determined by using a digital scale and adjusting for the specific type of tea you are brewing. By embracing weighing over volume, you gain a level of control that guarantees a more consistent, flavorful, and ultimately more enjoyable tea experience. Don't be afraid to experiment to find your own perfect ratio, but always start with a reliable measurement. For more brewing tips, you can explore guides from reputable tea houses like Dominion Tea.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, 6 grams is a standard amount for brewing 2 cups of a robust, full-bodied tea like black tea. For more delicate teas like green or white, it might produce a stronger brew, so you may prefer to use slightly less, around 4 to 5 grams.

Measuring by weight (grams) is more consistent and accurate because tea leaves vary significantly in density and size. A teaspoon of fluffy white tea weighs much less than a teaspoon of dense gunpowder tea, leading to inconsistent results.

Yes, for a stronger brew, you should increase the amount of tea leaves, not the steeping time. Increasing the steeping time primarily extracts more tannins, resulting in a bitter taste, while more leaves will create a richer flavor.

For 2 cups of green tea, a good starting point is 4 to 5 grams. Green teas are often delicate and using too much can make the flavor overwhelming. The water temperature should also be cooler, around 175-185°F (79-85°C), to prevent bitterness.

While less accurate, a level teaspoon is often an approximation for 2 grams of tea, depending on the leaf size. For 4 grams, you could use two level teaspoons. For fluffy teas, use slightly heaping teaspoons, and for dense teas, use slightly scant teaspoons to get closer to the target weight.

For iced tea, you typically double the amount of loose leaf tea to compensate for dilution from melting ice. This means you would use 8 to 12 grams of tea for two cups, depending on the tea type and your preference.

Yes, the standard ratio of 2-3 grams per 8 oz cup is the basis. If your 'cups' are larger mugs (e.g., 12 oz), you should scale up the tea accordingly. For two 12 oz mugs, you would need 6 to 9 grams of tea.