How Much Is 25g of Tea? A Comprehensive Guide to Measurements and Servings

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

The number of cups you can brew from 25g of tea varies dramatically, potentially ranging from 5 to over 30 depending on the leaf type, density, and brewing style. To understand how much is 25g of tea for your specific brew, you must consider these critical variables.

Quick Summary

The total volume and number of servings from 25g of tea depends heavily on the tea type, leaf density, and brewing method. Variables like Western versus Gongfu brewing styles and the potential for resteeping can significantly change the final yield.

Key Points

Measurement Matters: 25g of tea is a consistent mass, but its volume varies dramatically depending on the leaf size and density.
Variable Cups: The number of cups from 25g can range from 5 to over 30, influenced by the tea type, density, and brewing method.
Resteeping is Key: High-quality loose leaf teas, like oolongs, can be resteeped multiple times, significantly increasing the yield from a single 25g portion.
Accuracy vs. Volume: For consistent brewing, measure your tea by weight (grams) rather than relying on less accurate volume measurements like teaspoons.
Brewing Style Affects Yield: Western-style brewing uses a single long steep, while Gongfu uses higher tea ratios and multiple short steeps, yielding more total cups from 25g.
Leaf Type Varies Brew: Different tea types require different amounts per cup; for example, herbal tea needs more weight per cup than green tea.

Why Tea Type and Density Matter for Your 25g Measure

When measuring tea, 25 grams is a consistent mass, but it does not equate to a consistent volume. The volume of 25g can differ greatly between a fluffy white tea and a dense CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) black tea. CTC tea, commonly used in teabags, consists of small, pellet-like granules that pack together tightly, taking up less space for the same weight. In contrast, a loose leaf white tea with large, whole leaves is much less dense, meaning 25g would fill a significantly larger container. Therefore, relying on volume measurements like tablespoons can be highly inaccurate, and a digital scale is the most precise tool for consistent brewing. Using a scale ensures you achieve the ideal tea-to-water ratio for your chosen type, preventing a weak or overly bitter brew.

How Many Cups Can You Brew from 25g of Tea?

The number of cups from 25g of loose leaf tea is determined by two major factors: the tea type and the brewing method. Most people use a Western brewing style, which typically involves a longer steep time with a single infusion. A Gongfu-style brew, on the other hand, uses a higher tea-to-water ratio for shorter, multiple infusions, yielding a higher total cup count.

For a standard Western-style brew using a 2.5g serving per 250ml mug, 25g of tea would yield approximately 10 cups on the first infusion. However, premium loose leaf teas are often capable of being resteeped two to three times, potentially boosting the yield to 20-30 cups from the same 25g. Certain varieties, such as high-quality oolongs, can be resteeped even more times in a Gongfu setup.

Comparison Table: 25g of Tea by Type


Tea Type	Grams per Western Cup (approx.)	Teaspoons (Volume)	Cups per 25g (First Infusion)	Total Cups with Resteeping (approx.)
Green Tea	2.5g	1-2 tsp	10 cups	20 cups
Black Tea	3g	1 tbsp (level)	~8 cups	25-30 cups
Oolong Tea	3.5g	1 tsp (rolled)	7-8 cups	25-60 cups (Gongfu)
Herbal Tea	4-5g	1.5 tsp (heaped)	5-6 cups	5-6 cups (typically not resteeped)

Maximizing Your 25g of Tea with Resteeping

To get the most out of your 25g of loose leaf tea, especially high-quality varieties, resteeping is key. This method allows you to experience the evolving flavor profile of the leaves with each infusion.

Tips for successful resteeping:

Match your tea type: Oolong, Pu-erh, and some green teas are best for multiple infusions. Herbal teas are generally best for a single steep.
Increase steep time slightly: With each subsequent steep, add an extra minute or so to the brewing time to maintain a consistently strong flavor.
Experiment with water temperature: For some teas, like oolong, slightly lower temperatures are used for initial steeps, with some variations for subsequent ones.
Use proper equipment: Ensure the tea leaves have ample room to expand during brewing. A larger teapot or a high-quality infuser basket is ideal.

Conclusion: The Flexible Value of 25g

Ultimately, understanding what 25g of tea represents involves more than just a number. It's about recognizing the tea type, its density, and how your personal brewing style influences the final yield. Whether you prefer a small sampler of a rare oolong or a week's supply of a robust breakfast black tea, 25g is a flexible amount that, when measured precisely and brewed appropriately, can be maximized for numerous flavorful cups. Embrace a scale to begin your journey towards mastering the perfect brew, unlocking the full potential of every single leaf within your 25g portion. For more in-depth tea knowledge and brewing techniques, a reliable resource like the National Institutes of Health offers some insightful scientific analysis into the components of tea.

Brewing Recommendations for Different Tea Types

Black Tea: Use 3g per 250ml cup. Steep with freshly boiled water (100°C) for 3-5 minutes. Enjoy with or without milk and sugar.
Green Tea: Use 2.5g per 230ml cup. Use water cooled to around 80°C and steep for 2-4 minutes to avoid bitterness.
Oolong Tea: Use 2-3g per 230ml cup. Water temperature around 85-95°C and a short, 2-3 minute steep. Resteep multiple times.
Herbal Tea: Use 1.2-1.5g per 230ml cup. Steep with freshly boiled water for 6-8 minutes. Can be enjoyed with sugar if desired.

A Note on Teabags

While loose leaf tea offers superior flavor and resteeping potential, teabags provide convenience. A standard 25-count teabag pack typically contains 25g of tea, consisting of smaller particles known as fannings or dust. This makes for a quicker, stronger, but often less complex brew, and they are not suitable for resteeping.

Using a Digital Scale for Accuracy

Investing in a small, kitchen-grade digital scale is the best way to ensure consistency, especially if you plan to explore various loose leaf types with different densities. It takes the guesswork out of measuring and helps you perfect your desired brew strength without the inaccuracies of volume-based methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a challenging question because a teaspoon measures volume, not weight, and tea leaves vary greatly in density. It could be anywhere from 5 to 20+ teaspoons depending on the type of tea (e.g., fluffy white tea vs. dense CTC black tea).

The number of cups depends on the brewing method and tea type. For Western brewing (one steep), you might get 7-10 cups, but with resteeping, particularly with a tea like oolong, you could get 20 to 30 cups.

No, because they typically have different densities and recommended serving sizes. You might use 2.5g per cup for green tea, yielding about 10 cups initially, while a denser black tea might use 3g per cup, yielding fewer cups per first infusion.

Measuring with a digital scale is far more accurate than using a spoon. Because tea leaf size and density vary so much, a teaspoon of one tea may be 1 gram, while a teaspoon of another is 4 grams.

Yes, many high-quality loose leaf teas can be resteeped multiple times. This is especially true for Oolongs and Pu-erh, and is a great way to maximize your 25g purchase.

Loose leaf tea in 25g provides higher quality, a more complex flavor, and the ability to resteep. A 25g teabag pack contains lower-grade fannings or dust that brew quickly but are not meant for resteeping.

A traditional Western brew (one long steep) uses more tea per cup and yields fewer total cups than the Gongfu method (multiple short steeps with less water), which extracts more flavor from the same leaves.