camp meals

Loose Leaf Camp Tea for the Pot

Loose tea brewed in the cook pot, strained through the lid. No teapot required.

calories
60
weight
0.8 oz
cal / oz
75
protein
0 g
serves
4, scales
prep
2 min
cook
6 min
total time
8 min
water
1200 ml boiled
cost
$

Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.

  • Drink
  • Canister stove
  • Campfire coals
  • Liquid fuel
  • Car camping
  • Basecamp
  • Backpacking
  • Canoe / raft
  • Winter / snow
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten free
  • Dairy free
  • Nut free
  • One pot
  • Pre-mix at home
  • Shelf stable
  • Basic

Ingredients

Loose leaf tea 4 tsp green, oolong, or hibiscus all work
Dried orange peel 1 tsp optional, cuts the tannin
Sugar 4 tsp or leave it out
Water 1200 ml

Method

  1. Bring 1200 ml of water to a boil, then pull the pot off the heat and let it sit uncovered for a minute. Water straight off a rolling boil scorches green and oolong leaf.

A borosilicate teapot with a steel infuser basket is a nice thing to own at home and a bad thing to carry. The method transfers, though. A cook pot holds the same 1200 ml, and the leaf can float loose as long as you strain it on the way out.

Steep time and water temperature are the only variables that matter. Under-boiled water leaves green tea thin; boiling water on delicate leaf turns it bitter within a minute. Letting the pot rest a minute after the boil splits the difference without a thermometer.

Packing

Premeasure the tea and peel into one small bag per pot so you are not eyeballing loose leaf in the wind. Sugar rides separately.

Variations

  • Hibiscus needs full boiling water and a longer steep, closer to eight minutes.
  • Drop a few crushed dried ginger slices in with the leaf for cold mornings.

https://instacuppastore.com/products/instacuppa-borosilicate-glass-teapot-with-removable-stainless-steel-infuser-for-infusing-blooming-teas-loose-leaf-teas-stovetop-microwave-dishwasher-safe-neoprene-sleeve-for-protection-1200-ml