I think I have tried 200 teas now, so you can imagine how much time I spend drinking tea. I am never without my favorite types of tea. People often ask me how can one consume so much tea. I often tell them tea is life, I run on its energy. While I tend to favor more tea-infused cold drinks, I often get asked how to make the perfect cup of tea, and I always tell them the same thing: a cup of tea is personal. With the abundance of herbs available such as rooibos tea might not be your thing. You might favor oolong tea better. Other things to keep in mind: you may like a little sugar, you may not. You might even like it on the strong side or maybe not. Really, there isn’t just one perfect way to make it – you should enjoy it just the way you like it.
Black tea is by far the tea most used for general everyday drinking, and it is that tea we are talking about here. Tea comes from the plant Camellia Sinensis. Depending on the picking process, they can become white, green or black tea. The first part of making a great cup of tea will be using your favorite type of herb.( if tea bags are more readily available for you then stick with that).
To make your own perfect cup of tea, you’ll need:
loose leaf tea
a teapot
a cup/mug
sugar/milk
Please boil water!
The temperature of the water is really important, depending on which tea you’ll be drinking. Only boiling water can extract the full flavor and benefit from the leaves. Experts say use one teaspoonful of tea or one tea bag per cup (about 5 or 6 ounces) of water. ( I am a big fan of blending different kinds of tea together; my summer addiction- orange, fever grass and cinnamon)
2. Remember your brew time.
Pour boiling water over the tea. Let stand for for around 3, 5, 7 or 10 minutes or the recommended brewing time depending on the instructions of your blend. Some people my brew it for around two to three minutes. Those who prefer a much stronger taste ( like me ) may brew it up to seven minutes. However long you steep your leaves is up to you in the end.
Your mug, your way. It doesn’t matter what you drink your tea out of. Whether it maybe a tea cup, a mug, a travel mug etc. Whatever allows you to enjoy your favorite part of the day.
4. Add until your heart is content.
Depending on the type of tea i’m drinking, I may add milk or cream. Other times I add sugar. Although, truth be told, you don’t have to add either. Whatever your heart desires.
Grab your favorite book, the t.v. remote, or perhaps some friends and get ready to enjoy every last drop.
Start by putting your loose leaf tea in the tea bag – I go by the rule of one teaspoon for me and one teaspoon for the pot). Loose leaf tea needs a lot of room to move about, so the bigger the bag, the better. This makes cleaning the teapot a lot easier, as you just lift the bag out with the tea when done and put it in the bin.