How Much Pu-erh Tea Should You Use Per 100 ml?
Short answer: For gongfu brewing, begin with 5 grams of Pu-erh per 100 ml of water. For a mug or larger teapot, try 2.5–3 grams per 250 ml with a longer steep. Fine or broken leaf extracts faster, while tightly compressed pieces may need more time to open.
Why a scale helps
A teaspoon is unreliable because whole leaves, chunks, stems, and fine grades occupy different volumes. A small digital scale makes repeatable brewing easy. Once you learn a favorite tea, visual portioning becomes more practical.
Ratio and time work together
More leaf with short infusions creates many concentrated gongfu rounds. Less leaf with longer time suits a mug. If tea is too strong, shorten the steep or reduce leaf; adding more water after brewing can also rescue a concentrated cup.
Compression changes the first rounds
A tight chunk may look small but open into substantial leaf. Rinse it and allow a brief pause before the first infusion. Avoid overloading the vessel just because the dry piece has not expanded yet.
Quick checklist
- Gongfu: start at 5 g/100 ml
- Western style: start at 2.5–3 g/250 ml
- Weigh the dry tea before it expands
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 8 grams per 100 ml?
Yes, experienced drinkers often use stronger ratios with very short infusions, but 5 grams is a forgiving baseline.
Why is my mini cake too strong?
Its pre-portioned weight may exceed your vessel's ideal ratio. Use a larger vessel or carefully split it if the format allows.
Continue exploring Pu-erh
Read Pu-erh Tea Water Temperature: A Practical Guide or continue with Should You Rinse Pu-erh Tea?. When you are ready to taste the ideas in practice, explore our Yunnan Pu-erh collection.
Educational content only. Tea experience varies by leaf, water, brewing, and storage. Last updated July 2026.