Making Tea In A Coffee Percolator: A Simple Method

Quick Answer

• Yes, you can absolutely make tea in a coffee percolator.
• It’s pretty straightforward, just requires a few adjustments.
• Use loose-leaf tea or tea bags.
• Don’t use coffee grounds, obviously.
• Keep an eye on the brew time; tea steeps faster than coffee.
• Clean it well afterward to avoid tea-flavored coffee next time.

Who This Is For

• The camper who forgot their tea kettle but has a percolator.
• The home brewer looking to multitask with their existing gear.
• Anyone curious about alternative brewing methods for their favorite tea.

What to Check First

Brewer Type and Filter Type

You’re using a percolator. That’s the main thing. Whether it’s stovetop or electric, the principle is the same. For filter type, most percolators use a basket. This basket is usually metal. If you’re using loose leaf tea, this basket is perfect for holding it. Tea bags can also go right in the basket, or even loose in the pot if you don’t mind a little sediment.

If you’re looking for a reliable stovetop percolator that can handle both coffee and tea, this model is a great option.

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Water Quality and Temperature

Good water makes good tea. If your tap water tastes funky, your tea will too. Filtered water is usually best. For temperature, this is where tea differs from coffee. Most black teas do well with boiling water (around 212°F). Green and white teas prefer cooler water, closer to 170-180°F. You might need to let the percolator water cool a bit after it starts to perk if you’re making delicate teas.

Grind Size and Tea Freshness

Okay, so it’s not a “grind” for tea, but the form matters. Loose leaf tea is ideal. If you’re using tea bags, just make sure they’re not ancient. Stale tea bags taste like dust. For loose leaf, a medium to coarse leaf size works well in a percolator basket. Too fine, and it might sneak through the basket holes.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

This is less about “ratio” and more about “how much tea.” For a standard 8-cup percolator, you’re looking at roughly 1-2 tablespoons of loose leaf tea per 8 cups of water. For tea bags, start with one bag per cup and adjust to taste. You can always add more tea if it’s too weak. I usually start a bit conservative.

Cleanliness/Descale Status

This is crucial. If your percolator has any residual coffee oils or flavors, your tea will taste like coffee. Give it a good rinse before you start. If it’s been a while, a quick descale is a good idea. White vinegar and water is a common method. Check the manual for specific instructions for your model. A clean pot is a happy pot.

Step-by-Step: Making Tea in Your Coffee Percolator

1. Gather Your Gear: Get your percolator, your favorite loose-leaf tea or tea bags, and fresh water.

• What “good” looks like: Everything is clean and ready to go. No stray coffee grounds hanging around.
• Common mistake: Using a dirty percolator. This leads to weirdly flavored tea. Always rinse thoroughly.

2. Add Water: Pour fresh, cold water into the percolator. Fill it to the desired level, usually marked inside.

• What “good” looks like: Water level is correct. Not too full, not too empty.
• Common mistake: Overfilling. This can cause overflow and a mess.

3. Prepare the Tea: If using loose leaf, measure it into the percolator basket. If using tea bags, place them in the basket or directly in the pot.

• What “good” looks like: Tea is contained in the basket or arranged neatly.
• Common mistake: Stuffing too much tea in the basket. This restricts water flow and can lead to uneven brewing.

4. Assemble the Percolator: Place the basket (with tea) into the percolator. Put the lid on.

• What “good” looks like: Everything is seated correctly. The lid is secure.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to put the basket back in. This will result in loose leaves all over your pot.

5. Heat the Water: Place the stovetop percolator on the stove over medium heat, or plug in your electric percolator and turn it on.

• What “good” looks like: The percolator is heating up. You’ll soon hear the first gurgles.
• Common mistake: Using heat that’s too high. This can scorch the tea or make the process too fast and aggressive.

6. Watch for the Perking: Listen for the “perking” sound. This is when the hot water starts cycling up the tube.

• What “good” looks like: A steady, rhythmic perking sound.
• Common mistake: Letting it perk too long initially. Tea steeps much faster than coffee.

7. Adjust Heat (Stovetop): Once it starts perking, reduce the heat to low. You want a gentle, steady perking, not a rolling boil.

• What “good” looks like: Gentle bubbles, consistent perking.
• Common mistake: Leaving the heat on high. This over-extracts the tea and can make it bitter.

8. Monitor Brew Time: This is key. For black tea, start checking for color and strength after about 3-5 minutes of perking. For green or white tea, aim for 1-3 minutes.

• What “good” looks like: The tea is reaching your desired strength and color.
• Common mistake: Over-steeping. This is the fastest way to bitter tea.

9. Remove Tea/Turn Off Heat: Once the tea is brewed to your liking, carefully remove the basket or turn off the heat.

• What “good” looks like: The perking stops. The tea is ready.
• Common mistake: Leaving the tea in the hot water. It will continue to steep and get bitter.

10. Serve: Pour the tea into cups. Enjoy!

• What “good” looks like: Delicious, perfectly brewed tea.
• Common mistake: Letting it sit on the heat too long after brewing.

Common Mistakes (and What Happens If You Ignore Them)

Decision Rules

• If you are making black tea, then start checking for brew strength around 4 minutes because black tea can handle longer steeping.
• If you are making green or white tea, then reduce the initial perking time and watch for color after 2 minutes because these teas are more delicate and can become bitter quickly.
• If your tea tastes weak, then add more loose leaf tea or an extra tea bag for the next brew because you likely used too little tea.
• If your tea tastes bitter, then reduce the amount of tea used or shorten the brewing time because over-extraction is the usual culprit.
• If your percolator has a lingering coffee smell, then give it a good soak with vinegar and water before brewing tea because residual coffee oils will ruin your tea flavor.
• If you are unsure about the water temperature for a specific tea, then err on the side of slightly cooler water because it’s easier to add heat than to fix over-steeped tea.
• If you are using a stovetop percolator and hear aggressive perking, then immediately reduce the heat to low because you want a gentle cycle, not a frantic one.
• If you are using tea bags and they start to break apart, then you might have agitated them too much or they are old because good quality bags should hold together.
• If you notice sediment in your cup, then you might need a finer mesh basket or to use slightly larger leaf tea because small particles are escaping.
• If your tea tastes metallic, then your percolator might be made of a reactive metal or needs a good cleaning because that’s usually a sign of something leaching into the brew.

FAQ

Can I use coffee grounds in my tea percolator?

No, absolutely not. This guide is for making tea. Using coffee grounds will result in coffee, not tea.

Will my tea taste like coffee if I make it in a coffee percolator?

It might, if the percolator isn’t cleaned properly. Always rinse it thoroughly before brewing tea.

How much tea should I use?

For loose leaf, start with about 1-2 tablespoons per 8 cups of water. For tea bags, use one bag per cup and adjust.

How long should I let the tea perk?

This depends on the tea. Black teas can go 3-5 minutes of perking. Green and white teas need much less, maybe 1-3 minutes.

What if my tea is too weak?

Add more tea next time. It’s better to start with less and add more than to make it too strong.

What if my tea is too bitter?

You likely over-steeped it. Reduce the brewing time or the amount of tea used.

Can I use any kind of tea?

Loose leaf teas and standard tea bags work best. Avoid very fine powders or teas that require specific infusion methods.

Is it safe to make tea this way?

Yes, as long as your percolator is in good working order and you follow basic brewing principles.

What This Page Does NOT Cover (And Where to Go Next)

• Specific brewing temperatures for every single type of tea. (Look up guides for delicate teas like oolong or pu-erh).
• Advanced tea brewing techniques like gong fu cha. (Explore dedicated tea brewing resources).
• Detailed maintenance and descaling guides for specific percolator models. (Consult your percolator’s manual).
• Comparisons of different tea types and their ideal flavor profiles. (Dive into tea tasting notes and varietals).