The Golden Rules of Tea Making

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The Golden Rules of Tea Making

 

Always use good quality tea.

Always use freshly drawn cold water.

Warm the pot.

If using tea bags, use one bag per person.

If using leaf tea, put in one heaped teaspoon per person, plus " one

for

the pot " .

When the water is at boiling point pour onto the tea and leave to

infuse

for 5-6 minutes.

Stir and pour. Add milk first or last depending on taste.

 

China and green teas, which are light and delicate, do not generally

take

milk well, and flavored teas are better without milk.

 

Brew a Good Cuppa from a Tea Bag

 

Most instructions for brewing a good cup of tea call for loose tea

leaves

and a tea pot. Yet many Americans make their tea one cup at a time

using

tea bags. Approximately 97% of the leaf tea sold in the U.S. comes in

tea

bags. In Great Britain the figure is approximately 82%. Tea bags

provide

a neat and convenient way to enjoy the brew at home or in the office.

 

The tea bag was invented in the U.S. in 1908 by Thomas Sullivan, a

thrifty

tea importer, who replaced the large sample tins of tea he was

sending

to retail customers with small, individual silk bags of tea. Filter

paper has

since replaced silk and the tea bag has become a staple.

 

Still, many devoted tea drinkers believe that the taste of tea is

subdued

when it is bagged, and that loose tea releases all of its aroma and

flavor.

Can tea lovers get a truly good cuppa from a tea bag? Yes, if they

follow

the same guidelines that are used for brewing loose tea.

 

Start with cold water. Let the water run briefly to get fresh,

oxygenated water. Bring to a boil and pour over tea bag in a warmed

cup.

 

Use the proper amount of tea: a 2 gram tagged tea bag fits a standard

6

ounce tea cup; an 8 ounce mug requires a 2.5 gram English style tea

bag.

Taylors provides a variety of fine teas in both tagged and English

style

tea bags.

 

Don't just dunk a tea bag until the water turns color. Though the

brew

may darken, that is not an indication of its strength. To reach its

full

flavor, the tea needs enough time for the leaves to open. Depending

on

leaf size, that can be between 3 and 5 minutes. Taylors puts the

brewing

time on all its packaging.

 

Once the tea has brewed, remove the tea bag. Tea steeped too long

releases too much tannin and tastes bitter.

 

Add milk or lemon and enjoy!

 

Make the Perfect Glass of Iced Tea

 

Iced tea was invented at the St. Louis World's Fair in the sweltering

summer of 1904. When no one would drink the hot tea offered by the

Indian Tea Pavilion, promoter Richard Blechynden poured hot tea over

ice-filled glasses. This very American drink has been a hit ever

since.

 

Brewing good iced tea requires a little extra effort, but the rewards

are

worth it.

 

To counteract the diluting effects of the ice, 50% more tea should be

used. For example, a pot of tea for three requires 4 heaped teaspoons

of leaf. For iced tea, increase the amount to 6 spoonfuls.

 

Brew the tea for 4 to 6 minutes in the normal way, then pour through

a

strainer into a heat resistant jug. (If tea bags are used, they

should be

removed.)

 

Let the tea stand until it reaches room temperature (about an hour).

If

fine tea is put into the refrigerator, it will turn cloudy. This is a

characteristic unique to high quality teas. It does not affect the

taste.

 

Pour the tea into a glass half filled with ice and stir to mix the

melting ice

with the tea liquor. Sugar will enhance fruity or flowery flavored

teas. A

slice of lemon or a sprig of mint adds a bit of refreshing flavor and

makes the drink look even more appealing.

 

For the best flavor, drink iced tea within 6 hours of preparation.

 

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