“Overbrewing tea has a steep penalty”

A “steep” penalty means a great (large and significant) penalty. This has nothing to do with “steeping,” but there are jokes.
 
“TG there’s a steep penalty to be paid for bad tea puns” was posted on X/Twitter by Hunter on Novembe 16, 2014. “Overbrewing tea has a steep penalty” was posted on Reddit—Dadjokes on November 4, 2019. “Avoid overbrewing your tea. It has a steep penalty” was posted on X/Twitter by LaughBreak: The Mediocre Joker on March 5, 2025.
     
 
Wikipedia: Steeping
Steeping is the soaking of an organic solid, such as leaves, in a liquid (usually water) to extract flavours or to soften it. The specific process of teas being prepared for drinking by leaving the leaves in heated water to release the flavour and nutrients is known as steeping. Herbal teas may be prepared by decoction, infusion, or maceration. Some solids are soaked to remove an ingredient, such as salt, where the solute is not the desired product.
   
X/Twitter
Hunter (Art Coming Soon?)
@actuallyTired
@temptingGlow @Zhoidberg TG there’s a steep penalty to be paid for bad tea puns.
6:04 PM · Nov 16, 2014
 
Reddit—Dadjokes
lazy-aubergine—November 4, 2019
Overbrewing tea has a steep penalty.
 
X/Twitter
It was the Busta Rhymes, it was the worsta rhymes
@Trilliam_Yeats
Overbrewing tea has a steep penalty.
11:39 PM · Mar 5, 2020 from Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Facebook
Bill Smith
Mach 10, 2021 at 7:26 AM ·
Pun of the Day
Overbrewing tea has a steep penalty.
 
X/Twitter
OhThatGregPorter
@oh_porter
She’s a tea-drinker. Always suggesting tea for whatever might ail you. She’s asked ME to make her tea many times. I’ll never forget the first time I did it wrong though.
She said, “Over-brewing tea has a steep penalty.”
7:40 PM · Dec 13, 2021
 
X/Twitter
Mr. B
@mastertechmrb
That’s a “steep” penalty for a tea joke.
12:40 PM · Nov 15, 2023
 
X/Twitter
LaughBreak: The Mediocre Joker
@MediocreJoker85
Avoid overbrewing your tea.
It has a steep penalty.
1:48 AM · Mar 5, 2025