Brewing is a ritual
Whole-leaf tea responds to water and time. Longer steep, more body and caffeine. Shorter steep, sweeter and lighter. Four methods. One leaf. Your rhythm.
Method 01 · Gongfu
The traditional Taiwan way. A small claypot lets you taste the leaf change across five to seven steeps — each one a different facet of the same tea.
Use a rinse first — 10 seconds of hot water poured over and off. Wakes the leaves.
Method 02 · Western mug
The everyday ritual for training days. Portion into a mug, steep, enjoy — then add more hot water and steep again. One 2 g portion makes a full morning's worth.
Strainer is optional — whole leaves sink. Drink to the last sip without grit.
Method 03 · Cold brew
The low-maintenance method. No bitterness, no over-steeping. Ideal for long training weeks when you want a bottle of tea ready in the fridge.
24 hrs = delicate and sweet. 48 hrs = balanced. 72 hrs = bold and mineral.
Method 04 · Iced
Fast iced tea when you need it. Brew slightly stronger than usual, pour straight over a full glass of ice. Dilutes to the right concentration as the ice melts.
The thermal shock extracts more aroma. Works especially well with Cloudline Red.
Troubleshooting
Whole-leaf tea responds to variables you can control. When something's off, it's almost always temperature or time.
The cup tastes bitter.
Water is too hot or the steep is too long. Drop to 90 °C and pull the leaves out 30 seconds earlier. Whole-leaf tea rarely needs the full two minutes.
It tastes thin, not much flavor.
Not enough leaf, or the leaf hasn't unfurled yet. Add another gram per 300 ml, or give the second steep a try — Cloudline's second and third infusions are often the best.
How do I measure without a scale?
A level teaspoon of rolled green tea is about 2 g. For loose twisted red tea, one heaping teaspoon is closer to 2 g. A small kitchen scale is worth the $15 — it changes everything.
Can I re-steep the same leaves later?
Yes, within the same day. Leaves left in cold water won't over-steep. If you steeped hot and set the leaves aside, add fresh hot water within 4–6 hours to get another cup.
When should I drink CLOUDLINE?
Before: 8–16 oz about 30–60 minutes before training for calm, steady energy. During: On longer runs and races, many athletes sip tea alongside gels and carbohydrates as part of their hydration and fueling strategy. After: Tea isn't just for before the work starts. Many athletes continue drinking it during recovery, work, and daily life. Vic, the founder of CLOUDLINE, drinks both Green and Red daily and often drinks approximately 1 liter of tea per day following his hundred-mile races as part of his recovery and return to normal life. The goal isn't more stimulation. It's sustainable clarity.
Green vs. Red — which when? And can I drink this with coffee?
Green for mornings, focused work, meditation, and days that require clarity. Red for long runs, afternoons, recovery days, and deeper, steadier energy. Both can be enjoyed before, during, and after training. Many athletes sip CLOUDLINE alongside gels and carbohydrates during longer runs and races as part of their hydration and fueling strategy. And yes — many people enjoy CLOUDLINE alongside coffee. Tea and coffee don't have to compete. Some people start with coffee in the morning and transition to tea later in the day, while others enjoy both depending on the work, training, or recovery ahead.
