Which Loose Leaf Tea Brews Best in a Keurig?

Jake Bonneman All About Tea
4 minute read

There are many different types of loose leaf tea, and each one has its own unique flavor profile. Some teas are better suited for brewing in a Keurig machine than others.

Of course, if you have a Keurig machine, you should know that there are plenty of great options for single-serve tea k-cups. These teas are already designed specifically to brew wonderfully in Keurig machines, and they come in a wide variety of flavors.

That said, if you're looking for the loose leaf teas that will work best in your Keurig, here are a few recommendations:

What You'll Need to Brew Tea in a Keurig

You just need a Keurig brewer, a compatible reusable keurig pod, and some loose tea leaves.

(And remember, just like with coffee bags, you can simply cut open tea bags and pour the loose tea leaves into a reusable keurig pod if you wish.) You can grab one of these for just a few dollars on Amazon.

Things to Consider When Making Loose Leaf Tea in a Keurig

Keurigs brew coffee and tea with water that's around 192°F. Some of the more expensive Keurig models allow you to adjust the water temperature, but most of the Keurig machines currently out there brew at that standard temperature.

That's important to remember when choosing a loose leaf tea, because different types of tea require different brewing temperatures. For example, white teas and green teas should be brewed at a lower temperature than black teas and oolong teas.

So, if you're looking for a loose leaf tea that will work well in your Keurig machine, it's important to choose a tea that can brew well at 192°F.

Now, of course, it's not going to brew for as long as it normally would (or should). The hot water is going to pass right through the tea leaves and into your cup, so you won't get the same level of flavor extraction that you would if you were brewing a more traditional way.

Loose Leaf Teas that Work Best in a Keurig

That said, there are still plenty of great loose leaf teas that will taste great when brewed in a Keurig machine. Here are a few great options:

Black Tea: Black teas are some of the most popular types of tea, and they're also some of the most forgiving when it comes to brewing temperature. That means that they'll work well in your Keurig, even if it doesn't have adjustable water temperature.
Oolong Tea: Oolong tea is also fairly forgiving when it comes to brewing temperature. Oolongs generally brew best between approximately 185°F and 205°F.
Assam Tea: Technically, Assam tea is a black tea (named after the region in India it comes from), and it’s usually found in the form of English Breakfast tea. However, it's worth mentioning separately because it has a unique "malty" flavor that sets it apart from other black teas. Assam tea is a little less forgiving than oolong, and is best brewed between approximately 190°F and 205°F. So your Keurig should work fine for brewing Assam tea.

Keurig Tea Brewing Tips:

If possible, grind or break up loose tea leaves before brewing. This will help your Keurig to better extract the flavor from the leaves as the hot water quickly passes through it.
In general, you'll probably have better luck making loose leaf tea in a Keurig if you avoid delicate teas, like green teas. They generally don't do well when brewed in reusable Keurig cups. To make green tea in a Keurig machine, try these single-serve green tea k-cups.
Fruit teas and herbal teas can also be hit or miss when brewed in a Keurig. Fruit teas in particular tend to require longer brewing times to release all of their flavor, so brewing fruit teas in a Keurig can make tea that tastes a bit weak. Again, refer to the list of the best loose leaf teas for Keurig brewing above for some better options.

Again, it's highly recommended to use tea Keurig k-cups for the best results. These teas are designed specifically for brewing in Keurig machines, and they come in a huge variety of flavors. Find your favorite flavors of tea in Keurig k-cups here!