Brewing Tea Grandpa Style: The Tea Ritual That Might Just Change Your Mornings
It’s drizzly and cool this morning, and the spring birds outside my window are quieter than usual. My space is the kind of hazy, grey you only get on a rainy spring morning—the kind that makes everything feel soft around the edges.
It’s not exactly the weather that makes you want to get up and seize the day. I wanted to stay curled up under the covers, but it’s Friday, and there’s work to do. I’m most productive in those early hours before the boys wake up and the house comes alive with the symphony only two kids and their dad can create.
I needed a strong dose of caffeine to fuel some debugging I’ve been doing for my day job. And like every morning, I turned to tea—not just for the caffeine, but for the grounding presence it brings. I was groggy and I *almost* brewed my tea grandpa style. And I thought, you know what? Let’s talk about grandpa style tea.
Because if you’ve ever needed a strong, cozy, low-fuss cup of tea to get you through the fog—emotional or meteorological—this might be your answer.
What Is Grandpa Style Tea Brewing?
“Grandpa style” is a term coined by Chinese tea drinkers, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: tea made the way grandpa might drink it—by tossing loose leaves into a mug or glass, pouring hot water over them, and sipping slowly as the leaves settle.
No strainer. No teapot. No formalities.
It’s the ultimate minimalist tea brewing method. And while it might make the tea purists among us twitch a little (myself included), there’s something undeniably comforting about it.
How to Brew Tea Grandpa Style
Here’s the beauty of it—there’s really no right or wrong way. But if you want to make it work well (and avoid a mouthful of leaves), here’s a simple guide:
- Choose your tea wisely. Grandpa style works best with large-leaf teas like green teas, oolongs, white teas, or even some black teas with whole leaves. Avoid small, broken leaf teas—they’ll cloud the water and end up in every sip.
- Use fewer leaves than usual. Start with about 1 teaspoon for an 8-12 oz glass. You can always add more next time if it’s too weak.
- Use slightly cooler water. Especially with green or white teas, go for 160–185°F to avoid bitterness.
- Sip slowly, refill often. As the water level drops, just top it off with more hot water. You can keep re-steeping several times.
- Let the leaves sink. The first few sips might be a little leafy, but as the tea hydrates and falls to the bottom, the liquid becomes clearer and easier to drink.
Pros of Brewing Grandpa Style
- Effortless. No fancy tools or clean-up. Just tea and water.
- Sustainable. No tea pot, no strainer—just compost the leaves when you're done.
- Satisfying. The tea evolves over time, offering a new experience with each refill.
- Perfect for work-from-home mornings. You can sip and refill throughout the morning without leaving your desk.
Cons of Brewing Grandpa Style
- Leafy sips at first. Especially if you use broken-leaf tea or over-steep.
- Less control. If you like precise brewing (like me), it can feel unpredictable.
- Not great for some teas. Delicate or very fine teas can go bitter fast if you're not careful.
- Cultural context matters. In some cultures, sipping tea this way is ordinary. In others, it may feel unusual or even disrespectful if misunderstood—so context and intention matter.
Try It Yourself
If you’ve never tried grandpa style before, give it a shot this week. Start with a gentle green or a large-leaf oolong. Settle in with a good book or your to-do list. Let the tea do what it does best: wake you up slowly, softly, and without demand.
And if you try it—especially on a cozy, rainy day—I’d love to hear how it goes.
Want to explore more cozy tea rituals? Grab our no cost e-course on mindful tea drinking or check out our most sip-worthy teas for slow mornings right here.