How often do you make tea and how often do you enjoy your cup of tea? Think you might like a little advise – Tea 101?
Some commonly made errors while making that perfect cup of tea:
#1 Tea Quality – the grocery store shelves may not be the best place to buy your tea. Unless your local super market carries some popular British loose leaf tea, don’t buy the traditional tea bags. Many stores are now carrying PG Tips, Taylors of Harrogate or Typhoo, if your store isn’t, then buy some where else. I love Whittard’s Tea which is available at AnniesTeaTime.com (formerly Penelope’s Tea Time). The variety of tea’s, loose and tea bags is heavenly.
#2 Temperature of Water – Your water must be boiling and then poured over the tea leaves. Do not put the tea or teabags into the water. I suggest you invest in an electric tea kettle, available on line and at most discount and department stores. I have used the Superior brand (manufactured in Canada) for many years. They have a stainless steel base and an automatic shutoff. Once you invest in one you will wonder how you ever did without. Microwaved water for tea just isn’t proper…the water does not stay hot long enough. Sorry all you microwave tea makers!
#3 Storing Tea – Heat and light are the biggest enemies of tea. Store your tea in either a tin or tea cannister and keep away from heat and light, especially direct sunlight. Never put your tea in the refrigerator or freezer. Tea does have a long shelve life if stored properly.
#4 Squashed Tea Leaves – Tea leaves expand to twice their size and need room to expand and for the water to flow around all surfaces of the leaf. Use a T-Sac or mesh infuser to brew your tea. Place the tea leaves in the sac or infuser and pour the water over the tea and let steep for 3 to 4 minutes. A little less time for green tea. Before the invention of the T-sac or infuser, one would place the tea leaves directly into the teapot, then pour the boiling water over the leaves. A strainer is then used over your teacup to filter the tea leaves. Many still use this method.
#5 Incorrect Timing – If you don’t leave the tea leaves in long enough you will have a very weak, unflavorful tea. Leaving the tea leaves in too long and the tea will become bitter. Longer brewing, past 3 -4 minutes, doesn’t make stronger tea, just bitter tea. The perfect cup of tea takes as long as it takes you to read Psalm 51!
#6 Additions – The traditional way to drink black tea is with milk. Some add sugar, some like sugar and some like honey. Never use cream, half and half or International Flavors creamer. I prefer whole milk or 2% milk. Milk will enhance the flavor, while the others will mask the true flavor of the tea. Don’t use milk in a fruit flavored tea or you might just end up with curdles. Also don’t add milk and lemon together..same effect! If you have never tried black tea with milk..try it, you’ll probably like it! I don’t like to use skim or non-fat milk as it gives the tea a chalky appearance.
Ok….let’s make the perfect cup of tea. Let me know if these suggestions make a difference,
Until We Tea Again….Penelope
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