How to Brew Earl Grey NeoSoilon® Teabag for a Bold Cup
By Tavalon Tea Australia | Published: 2026-10-21
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to brew Tavalon's Earl Grey NeoSoilon® teabag for a bold, balanced cup. Get step-by-step steeping tips and avoid common mistakes.
Quick answer
For a bold yet balanced cup, use one Earl Grey NeoSoilon® teabag per 8 ounces of freshly boiled water and steep for 3–5 minutes. Adjust steeping time to your preferred strength, but avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness.
Why NeoSoilon® matters for your brew
The NeoSoilon® pyramid teabag is designed to give whole tea leaves room to expand, which allows the flavors to infuse more fully than in flat, paper teabags. This means you get a more vibrant, aromatic cup with less risk of a flat or muted taste.
Because the tea leaves are free to move, the steeping time has a bigger impact on the final flavor. A shorter steep yields a lighter, more delicate cup, while a longer steep brings out the bold, brisk character of the black tea and the citrusy bergamot notes.
Trade-offs: strength vs. bitterness
The main trade-off is between strength and bitterness. Steeping longer than 5 minutes can extract too many tannins, making the tea taste harsh or astringent. If you prefer a bolder cup, start with a 4-minute steep and taste before adding more time.
Another trade-off is water temperature. Boiling water (212°F/100°C) is ideal for black tea, but if your water is at a rolling boil for too long, it can become deoxygenated, which can make the tea taste flat. Use freshly boiled water for the best result.
Step-by-step brewing guide
- Heat fresh water to boiling: Bring fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil (212°F/100°C). Avoid reboiling water, as it can make the tea taste flat. Use water that is freshly boiled, not reheated.
- Place the teabag in your cup: Put one Earl Grey NeoSoilon® teabag into your cup or mug. For a larger 12-ounce mug, use two teabags to maintain the same strength. Adjust the number of teabags based on your cup size.
- Pour the water over the teabag: Pour the boiling water directly over the teabag, filling the cup to your desired amount. The water should cover the teabag completely. Pouring over the teabag helps the leaves start infusing immediately.
- Steep for 3 to 5 minutes: Let the tea steep for 3–5 minutes. For a bold cup, aim for 4 minutes. If you prefer a lighter cup, stop at 3 minutes. Do not exceed 5 minutes to avoid bitterness. Set a timer to avoid over-steeping.
- Remove the teabag and enjoy: Gently squeeze the teabag to extract the last bit of flavor, then remove it. Add milk, sugar, or lemon to taste, or enjoy it plain. Squeezing the teabag releases extra flavor, but be careful not to squeeze too hard to avoid bitterness.
About this teabag
- Earl Grey NeoSoilon® Teabag: Tavalon's Earl Grey Pyramid Teabag blends premium black tea with bergamot oil for a seamless, balanced finish. The pyramid shape gives the leaves room to expand, so you get a more flavorful and aromatic cup than with standard teabags.
Earl Grey NeoSoilon® Teabag
