Hot Tea Tips

When it comes to making tea, you have a lot of options. Here are some ideas for getting maximum enjoyment from every cup.

Black teas are the ones we typically think of as “regular” tea. They include English Breakfast, Earl Grey and other common varieties.

Green teas are traditional Asian teas that are lighter in color and contain less caffeine than black tea.

Herbal teas are not technically tea at all, but combinations of different leaves and herbs.

You’ll need a Teakettle to boil water for tea.

Metal infusers or tea balls are handy for making whole-leaf tea one cup at a time. Make sure the holes on your infuser are the right size for your favorite tea – if they’re too big, the leaves will escape into your cup.

Teapots have the advantage of allowing the water to flow completely around the tea leaves while steeping. A drawback is that you must pour the tea through a strainer to remove the leaves, although some newer teapots include built-in infusers for added convenience.

A Tea Cozy will keep your pot warm between cups.

For the best selection of whole-leaf teas, try a specialty store.

Warm your teapot and/or teacups with hot water just before use.

The right amount of whole-leaf tea to use is a matter of taste, but one heaping teaspoon for each cup is a good place to start.

Most teas should be steeped in boiling water for about 3-5 minutes.

Never re-boil water for tea. The oxygen in the water is crucial to the taste of the tea, and much of the oxygen dissipates when the water is boiled.

Give your water a taste test: if it doesn’t taste good by itself, it probably won’t taste good in tea, either. Always use cold, clean water to make tea. If your tap water isn’t good, use bottled or filtered water.

Take your time. A big part of the pleasure of drinking tea is the way it seems to slow down the world, even if only for a few minutes. So savor each sip and make it last.