Cha Cha Tea Dripper: Brewing Loose Leaf Tea

By Hario USA | Published: 2026-10-25

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to use the Hario Cha Cha Tea Dripper for a clean, flavorful cup of loose leaf tea. Step-by-step guide with tips for best results.

Quick answer

Use the Hario Cha Cha Tea Dripper just like a pour over coffee dripper: place a V60 filter, add your loose leaf tea, pour hot water, and let it drip through for a clean, sediment-free cup.

Why use a tea dripper instead of a teapot?

A tea dripper gives you full control over water temperature and steep time, which is harder with a traditional teapot. The paper filter removes fine particles that can make tea taste bitter or cloudy. This method works especially well for delicate green or white teas where clarity matters.

Choosing the right tea for the dripper

Large-leaf teas like oolong or whole-leaf green teas work best because they expand in the cone and allow water to flow evenly. Finely cut teas, such as some black tea blends, may clog the filter and slow the drip. If you use fine tea, reduce the amount or pulse the pour to avoid overflow.

Brewing steps for the Cha Cha Tea Dripper

1. Prepare the dripper and filter: Place a V60 02 paper filter into the Cha Cha dripper. Rinse the filter with hot water to remove paper taste and warm the glass. Discard the rinse water. Always rinse the filter — skipping this step can leave a papery flavor in your tea.
2. Add the loose leaf tea: Add about 1 to 2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 oz (240 ml) of water. Adjust based on leaf size: larger leaves need a bit more, fine leaves need less to avoid clogging. Don't overload the cone; tea expands as it steeps and needs room for water to flow.
3. Pour a small amount of hot water to bloom: Pour just enough water (around 175°F / 80°C for green tea, 200°F / 93°C for black or oolong) to saturate the leaves. Let it sit for 30 seconds. This opens the leaves and releases aroma. Water temperature matters — boiling water can scald delicate teas and cause bitterness.
4. Continue pouring in stages: Pour the remaining water slowly in a circular motion over the leaves, keeping the water level below the rim. Wait for the water to drain between pours. Total brew time is usually 2 to 3 minutes. Pour too fast and the cone will overflow; pour too slowly and the tea may over-steep.
5. Remove the dripper and enjoy: Once all water has dripped through, remove the dripper from your cup or server. Discard the used leaves and filter. Your tea is ready to drink. Don't let the brewed tea sit on the dripper — it will continue to steep and become bitter.

Product details

Cha Cha Tea Dripper - Bouquet: The dripper is compatible with standard 02 V60 paper filters, and its heatproof glass cone is shaped like a fluted flower. You can use filters you may already have for pour over coffee, and the glass design lets you see the tea as it brews.
Cha Cha Tea Dripper - Bouquet