Tea timer
Pick the tea, pour the water, press start. It rings before the bitterness sets in.
Black: water 100°C · 212°F. 3 min for lighter, 5 min for strong with milk.
Alarm & notification settings
Sound needs one tap on the page first (a browser rule). Keep this tab open: closing it stops every timer’s alarm. Why timers stay accurate in background tabs.
Steeping times and temperatures
| Tea | Steep | Water |
|---|---|---|
| Green | 2–3 min | 70–80°C |
| Black | 3–5 min | 100°C |
| Oolong | 3–5 min | 85–95°C |
| White | 3–5 min | 75–85°C |
| Rooibos | 5–7 min | 100°C |
| Herbal | 5–7+ min | 100°C |
The longer tea steeps, the more tannins it releases. Those give black tea its body with milk, but in green and white teas they quickly turn harsh, which is why those get both cooler water and less time. No thermometer? Let boiled water stand for a few minutes before pouring on green tea.
Questions
How long should I steep tea?
Roughly: green tea 2–3 minutes, black tea 3–5, oolong 3–5, white tea 3–5, and herbal infusions 5–7 or longer. Start at the short end and taste; over-steeping mostly adds bitterness.
What water temperature should I use?
Boiling water (100°C / 212°F) suits black and most herbal teas. Green tea is usually brewed cooler, around 70–80°C (160–175°F), and white tea around 75–85°C, which helps avoid bitterness.
Can I time several cups at once?
Yes. Use the kitchen timer to run a separate labelled timer for each pot or cup.