How to make the perfect cup of tea
Second only to water as the most-consumed beverage in the world, tea holds a special place in the cupboards of people around the world.
It’s no surprise either, from its many health properties to its myriad of delicious flavours, a fresh-brewed cup of tea is a welcome comfort any day of the year.
Whether you enjoy it hot or cold, brewing the perfect cup of tea is easy if you follow these expert tips.
Type of tea
The first step in making the perfect cup of tea is to choose the style you prefer. From white to green, black to rooibos, maté, oolongs and herbal tisanes, the varieties are endless. You can get straight-up, flavoured or blends of any of these, all of which will ultimately influence the final taste when brewed. Stick with herbals and rooibos if you’re looking to avoid caffeine.
Water temperature
Generally black, herbal and rooibos teas should be brewed with freshly boiled water, while green and white varieties taste best when brewed using slightly cooler water. Using boiling water to brew a cup of green tea will often result in a bitter taste to the drink. Follow the directions on the package for best results, and always ensure you use fresh water, discarding any old water from your kettle before boiling, advises The Tea Emporium.
[See also: How tea can improve your health]
Steeping time
Depending on the type of tea, steeping time can vary anywhere from 2-8 minutes. How strong a flavour you like will also dictate how long you should steep your tea. Also, “over-steeping some teas containing leaves from the Camellia Sinensis plant can cause them to turn bitter,” writes DavidsTea. Delicate white and green tea leaves have the shortest brew times, with rooibos and maté having the longest brew times, according to the tea experts at Teaopia. The tea experts at Red Rose recommend steeping black tea for approximately 3-5 minutes to ensure the perfect cup. Follow the directions on the package for best results.
Don’t be afraid to use those leaves or bags again either! Just because you’ve brewed one cup, doesn’t mean you have to throw them out. In fact, many tea connoisseurs say the taste of oolong varieties improve with each infusion – plus, it’s economical!
Additions and icing
Should you add milk, sugar, honey or lemon? It’s really up to you and your individual tastes. Traditional breakfast teas can taste delicious with the addition of milk and some sugar, whereas a fruit herbal might not need any additional sweetener.
[See also: 5 creative alternatives to coffee]
A bit of interesting history from the land of high tea, according to Red Rose, “In Britain, for example, adding milk before the tea was supposedly generally associated with working people, whereas adding milk after tea was indicative of middle and upper classes.”
Preheating your teapot or cup is a great way to ensure your drink stays warmer, longer.
When it comes to enjoying your brew chilled, there are two methods for making iced tea: brew the tea and gradually let it chill or flash chill it – it’s ultimately a matter of how much time you have and personal preference. To make the perfect classic iced tea, check out this recipe from Red Rose or these fun ideas from Teaopia.
Storage
“The three things that contaminate the freshness of tea are air, sunlight, and moisture,” writes DavidsTea on their website, so keep your leaves stored in dark, airtight containers to maintain flavour and quality. Also, do not store your tea in the refrigerator, as the condensation from the temperature change can damage leaves, says The Tea Emporium. Buying small amounts of tea at a time will also help ensure every cup tastes great.
What’s your favourite way to enjoy a cup of tea? Any brewing secrets you swear by?
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