Brewing Tea With Your Ninja Coffee Maker: A Guide

Quick answer

• Yes, you can brew tea in your Ninja coffee maker.
• Use the right filter: a paper filter or the reusable one works.
• Don’t use coffee grounds. Seriously.
• Adjust brew strength for your tea type.
• Consider a separate brew cycle for tea if you brew coffee often.
• Always start with fresh, cold water.

Who this is for

• Anyone who owns a Ninja coffee maker and loves tea.
• Those looking to simplify their kitchen setup and use one appliance for both drinks.
• People who want to experiment with brewing loose-leaf or bagged tea in a familiar machine.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

Your Ninja coffee maker likely has a reusable mesh filter. That’s usually fine for tea. Some folks prefer paper filters for a cleaner cup, especially with finer teas. Check your model’s manual to be sure what filter options are best.

Water quality and temperature

Good tea starts with good water. Tap water can sometimes have flavors that mess with your tea. Filtered water is your best bet. Most Ninja coffee makers heat water to a decent temperature for brewing. For most teas, around 195-205°F is ideal, and your machine should get close.

Grind size and coffee freshness

This isn’t about coffee, but it’s a good habit. Use fresh tea leaves or bags. Stale tea won’t taste great, no matter how you brew it. For loose leaf, aim for a size that won’t fall through your filter.

Coffee-to-water ratio

This is where it gets a bit different from coffee. For tea, you’ll generally use more tea than you might think. A good starting point is 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 6 oz of water. For tea bags, use one bag per 6-8 oz. You can always adjust later.

Cleanliness/descale status

This is critical. If your Ninja coffee maker smells like old coffee, your tea will taste like it too. Run a cleaning cycle or descale your machine if it’s been a while. A clean machine means a clean cup.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Fill the water reservoir. Use fresh, cold filtered water.

• What “good” looks like: The water level is between the minimum and maximum lines, and the water is clear.
• Common mistake: Using hot water or water that’s been sitting. Avoid this by always filling with fresh, cold water.

2. Place your filter. Insert the reusable mesh filter or a clean paper filter.

• What “good” looks like: The filter is seated correctly and securely in the brew basket.
• Common mistake: Not using a filter, or using a damaged filter. This will lead to grounds in your cup.

3. Add your tea. Put in your loose leaf tea or tea bags.

• What “good” looks like: The tea is spread evenly in the filter, not packed too tightly.
• Common mistake: Overfilling the filter. This can cause water to bypass the tea, leading to weak brew.

4. Select brew size. Choose the amount of tea you want to brew.

• What “good” looks like: You’ve selected a size that matches the amount of water you put in the reservoir.
• Common mistake: Mismatching brew size and water volume. This can lead to overflow or under-extraction.

5. Select brew strength. Most Ninja coffee makers have a strength setting.

• What “good” looks like: You’ve chosen a strength appropriate for your tea type (e.g., “Rich” or “Classic” for black tea, “Delicate” or “Normal” for green tea).
• Common mistake: Using the “Bold” or “Over Ice” setting for delicate teas. This can scorch the leaves and make them bitter.

6. Start the brew cycle. Press the brew button.

• What “good” looks like: The machine starts heating water and brewing, and you hear the familiar brewing sounds.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to press the button. Seems obvious, but it happens after a long day.

7. Wait for the brew to finish. Let the machine complete its cycle.

• What “good” looks like: The brewing stops, and the machine indicates it’s done.
• Common mistake: Removing the carafe too early. This can cause hot liquid to spill.

8. Serve and enjoy. Pour your freshly brewed tea.

• What “good” looks like: Aromatic, flavorful tea fills your cup.
• Common mistake: Letting the brewed tea sit on the warming plate for too long. It can develop a stewed flavor.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Mistake	What it causes	Fix
Using stale tea	Weak, bland, or off-tasting tea	Use fresh tea leaves or bags. Store tea properly.
Not cleaning the machine	Coffee residue taints tea flavor	Run a cleaning cycle or descale regularly.
Using tap water with strong flavors	Off-flavors that mask tea’s natural taste	Use filtered or bottled water.
Overfilling the brew basket with tea	Under-extracted, weak tea; potential overflow	Use the recommended tea-to-water ratio; don’t pack it down.
Using a “Bold” setting for green tea	Bitter, scorched flavor; destroys delicate notes	Use “Classic,” “Normal,” or “Delicate” settings for green and white teas.
Brewing coffee and tea back-to-back	Coffee flavor transfers to your tea	Rinse the brew basket and reservoir, or do a water-only brew cycle.
Leaving brewed tea on the warming plate	Stewed, bitter flavor; loses freshness	Pour tea into a thermos or insulated mug if not drinking immediately.
Using the wrong filter type	Grounds in cup (mesh filter too coarse) or leaks	Use the filter recommended for your tea type and machine.
Incorrect water temperature	Under-extraction (too cool) or bitterness (too hot)	Your Ninja should handle this, but check manual if unsure.

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your tea tastes bitter, then reduce the amount of tea you use or try a lower brew strength setting because too much tea or too high a temperature can extract bitter compounds.
• If your tea tastes weak, then increase the amount of tea or try a slightly longer brew time (if your machine allows) because under-extraction leads to a watery flavor.
• If you brew coffee daily and want to make tea, then consider doing a water-only rinse cycle after brewing coffee before making tea because this helps remove residual coffee oils.
• If you are brewing delicate white or green teas, then select the “Normal” or “Delicate” brew strength setting because high heat can scorch these leaves.
• If you are using loose leaf tea, then ensure the leaves are not too fine to pass through your chosen filter because this will result in a gritty cup.
• If your tea has an unpleasant “stale coffee” flavor, then it’s time to descale your Ninja coffee maker because coffee oils and mineral buildup can affect all brews.
• If you want the cleanest possible tea cup, then consider using a paper filter over the reusable mesh filter, especially for very fine loose leaf teas, because paper filters can catch smaller particles.
• If you are making iced tea, then use the “Over Ice” setting if available, or brew a stronger concentrate and dilute it with ice later, because this prevents a watery outcome.
• If your tea isn’t hot enough, then ensure your water reservoir is filled with cold water and that the machine is functioning correctly because the heating element is key.
• If you notice a flavor you don’t like, then go back to basics: check your water quality and the freshness of your tea because these are the most common culprits.

FAQ

Can I really use my Ninja coffee maker for tea?

Absolutely. Many Ninja coffee makers are versatile enough to brew both coffee and tea using the same water heating and dispensing system.

Will my tea taste like coffee?

It might if you don’t clean your machine properly between brews. Always run a water-only cycle or clean the brew basket thoroughly if you switch from coffee to tea.

What kind of tea works best?

Most bagged and loose-leaf teas will work. Just adjust the amount of tea and brew strength to suit the specific type of tea you’re using.

Do I need a special filter for tea?

Not usually. The reusable mesh filter that comes with your Ninja coffee maker is often fine. Some people prefer paper filters for a cleaner taste, especially with very fine loose leaf teas.

How much tea should I use?

A good starting point is 1-2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 6 oz of water, or one tea bag per 6-8 oz. Adjust to your personal taste.

What if my tea tastes weak or bitter?

This usually comes down to the ratio of tea to water, the brew strength setting, or the freshness of your tea. Experiment with these factors.

Can I make iced tea with it?

Yes. Many Ninja models have an “Over Ice” setting designed for this. If yours doesn’t, brew a stronger batch and pour it over ice.

Is it better to use loose leaf or tea bags?

Both work. Loose leaf often offers more complex flavors, but tea bags are convenient. The key is using fresh, good-quality tea regardless of the form.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific brewing temperatures for every single tea varietal (check tea packaging or specialty sites).
• Advanced tea brewing techniques like gong fu or cold brewing (look for dedicated tea brewing guides).
• Detailed maintenance schedules beyond basic cleaning and descaling (refer to your Ninja manual).
• Comparisons of different Ninja coffee maker models for tea brewing capabilities (check product reviews).