Can You Make Tea in a Keurig?

Tea lovers and Keurig coffee machine owners alike may have wondered, can a Keurig be used to brew a delightful cup of tea? 

Can You Make Tea in a Keurig?

The answer is yes! There are a few ways you can use your Keurig to prepare tea: using K-Cups, using reusable K-Cups for loose-leaf tea, or using the Keurig as a kettle to simply heat the water.

How to Make Tea in a Keurig Coffee Maker Using K-Cups

Making tea in a Keurig coffee maker using K-Cups is a quick and convenient way to enjoy your favorite tea. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a perfect cup of tea every time:

1. Choose your tea K-Cup: Select a tea K-Cup that suits your taste preference. There are various options available, including black, green, herbal, and chai teas. You can find these at grocery stores or online.
2. Power on the Keurig: Plug the Keurig coffee maker into a power outlet and press the power button. Wait for the machine to warm up, which should take a few minutes. The display will indicate when it is ready.
3. Fill the water reservoir: Open the water reservoir lid and fill it with fresh, cold water. Be sure not to exceed the maximum fill line. Close the lid securely.
4. Place a mug on the drip tray: Choose a mug that can accommodate the volume of tea you want to brew. Place it on the drip tray, making sure it is properly centered to catch the tea.
5. Insert the tea K-Cup: Lift the handle on the top of the Keurig machine to open the K-Cup compartment. Insert your tea K-Cup into the compartment with the foil side facing up. Lower the handle to close the compartment, puncturing the K-Cup.
6. Select the brew size: Most Keurig machines have multiple brew size options. Choose the size that suits your preference, typically ranging from 6 to 12 ounces. The larger the brew size, the more diluted the tea will be.
7. Brew your tea: Press the “Brew” or “Start” button to begin brewing your tea. The Keurig will pump hot water through the tea K-Cup and into your mug. This process should take about a minute.
8. Remove the used K-Cup: Lift the handle to open the K-Cup compartment once the brewing process is complete. Carefully remove the used K-Cup, as it will be hot. Dispose of it or recycle it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
9. Customize your tea: If you desire, add sweetener, milk, or lemon to your tea to enhance its flavor. Stir well to combine.
10. Clean up: Close the K-Cup compartment and wipe any spills or drips from the machine or drip tray. It is also a good practice to periodically descale your Keurig machine to maintain optimal performance.

Pros and Cons of Making Tea With a Keurig Using K-Cups

Pros

• Convenience: Brewing tea with a Keurig is quick and easy, making it ideal for busy mornings or when you need a cup of tea on the go.
• Consistency: The Keurig machine brews each cup of tea at a precise temperature and volume, ensuring a consistent flavor and strength across multiple cups.
• Variety: With a wide range of tea K-Cups available, you can enjoy an assortment of flavors and types without needing to buy full packages of each variety.
• Minimal cleanup: The K-Cup system means you won’t have to deal with loose tea leaves or tea bags, making the cleanup process simple and mess-free.
• Single servings: Brewing one cup at a time prevents wasting tea, as you only make as much as you want to drink.

Cons

• Cost: K-Cups can be more expensive than traditional tea bags or loose tea, especially if you drink multiple cups daily.
• Environmental impact: K-Cups are made of plastic and often not recyclable, which can contribute to plastic waste if not disposed of properly.
• Limited customization: Brewing tea with a Keurig doesn’t allow for much flexibility in terms of steeping time or water temperature, which may not suit everyone’s taste preferences.
• Taste quality: Some tea enthusiasts argue that tea brewed from K-Cups might not have the same depth of flavor or quality as tea made from loose leaves or tea bags.
• Compatibility: Not all Keurig machines are compatible with all K-Cup brands, which may limit your tea options or require additional purchases, such as adapters.

How to Make Loose-Leaf Tea in a Keurig Using Reusable K-Cups

Using reusable K-Cups for loose-leaf tea is similar to the process of using pre-filled tea K-Cups. The difference is that you will need to fill the reusable K-Cup with your choice of loose-leaf tea instead of using a pre-filled K-Cup. 

Consider the tips below when filling your own K-Cup: 

1. Select the right tea: Opt for teas that are suitable for Keurig’s water temperature of around 192°F. This includes most black teas, oolong teas, and some green teas. Avoid teas that require specific brewing temperatures or could turn bitter if brewed with very hot water.
2. Opt for broken tea leaves: Pick broken tea leaves as they release more flavor compared to full leaves. Broken leaves work better in a Keurig due to the shorter steeping time. Place the desired amount of loose-leaf tea into the reusable K-Cup.
3. Consider tea ingredients: Avoid teas containing whole spices and fruits, as they might not release their flavors fully during Keurig’s quick brewing process. Instead, choose blends with crushed ingredients that infuse more easily, such as Chai tea with CTC tea leaves and crushed spices.

How to Make Tea in a Keurig Without K-Cups

If you don’t have K-Cups but still want to use your Keurig to brew some tea, you can use it to heat water. 

To use your Keurig as a kettle, follow these steps:

1. Fill the water reservoir with the desired amount of water.
2. Place your tea bag or infuser filled with loose-leaf tea into your mug.
3. Put the mug on the drip tray.
4. Run the Keurig without inserting a K-Cup. This will dispense hot water into your mug.
5. Allow the tea to steep for the recommended time before removing the tea bag or infuser.

Which Teas Are Suitable for Brewing in Keurig?

Keurig machines typically heat water to around 192°F, which is suitable for most teas but may be too hot for delicate green or white teas.

Here’s a table with recommended brewing temperatures for different types of teas:

Type of Tea	Brewing Temperature (°F)	Brewing Temperature (°C)
White Tea	160-185	71-85
Green Tea (Japanese)	160-170	71-77
Green Tea (Chinese)	170-185	77-85
Yellow Tea	170-185	77-85
Oolong Tea (Light)	175-185	79-85
Oolong Tea (Dark)	185-205	85-96
Black Tea (Darjeeling, etc.)	190-205	88-96
Black Tea (Assam, etc.)	200-212	93-100
Puerh Tea (Sheng)	195-205	90-96
Puerh Tea (Shou)	212	100
Herbal/Tisane Infusions	208-212	98-100

Final Thoughts

Can You Put a Tea Bag in a Keurig?

Yes, you can break open a tea bag and put its content into a reusable K-Cup. Then put the reusable K-Cup into your Keurig and run a normal cycle.

Can You Use Keurig as Kettle?

Yes, you can use your Keurig as a kettle to heat water for your tea. Simply run the machine without inserting a K-Cup, and it will dispense hot water into your mug, which can then be used to steep a tea bag or loose-leaf tea in an infuser.

Is Keurig Water Hot Enough for Tea?

Keurig machines typically heat water to around 192°F, which is hot enough for most types of tea. However, delicate green and white teas may require lower temperatures to prevent bitterness.