Whole-leaf tea from the hills is not the same creature as the dust in a tea bag. It needs less heat and less time, and it rewards a timer.
Water
Boiling water scalds green tea and flattens good black tea. For Nilgiri black tea, let the kettle stand for a minute after it boils (about 90°C). For kahwa, wait three minutes (about 80°C).
Leaf
Use a heaped teaspoon, roughly 2.5 grams, for a 200 ml cup. Give the leaves room to open: a pot or a wide infuser, not a tight ball.
Time
Three minutes for Nilgiri black tea, four with milk. Four minutes for kahwa. Then take the leaves out. Tea left sitting on its leaves goes on brewing and turns bitter.
The steep timer on our home page is set to these times. Start it when the water goes in.
Serving
Nilgiri tea is good with a slice of lemon, or cold over ice. Kahwa wants a few slivers of almond in the cup and a little honey once it has cooled enough to sip.