It’s so easy to make a perfect cup of tea. We all know how to do it. Just add hot water to a teabag, right?
Well, sort of.
So much can influence the taste of your tea and there’s a bit more to it than that if you want to make the perfect cup.
I’m all about elevating the tea experience. It’s something to be savoured and a few careful steps can make a world of difference to your brew.
So, in recognition of National Tea Day, here are my top tips.
Our tap water has a taste, which is added to the flavour of your tea. It can also hold unwanted ingredients. Clean, filtered water means you don’t add any other taste. So, use it whenever you can.
We’re in the habit of using boiling water for all our tea but in fact, different teas taste better when brewed in water heated to different temperatures. To achieve the correct temperature, an electric kettle with temperature settings is ideal. Or to brew teas that require cooler temperatures, add cold filtered water to hot water and check the temperature before pouring onto the tea. For example, brew black tea at between 95-98 degrees.
In general, the tea in tea bags has been selected for its colour, strength and low price rather than quality. Tea bags tend to be filled with the smallest of tea particles, meaning many of the essential oils that deliver taste and aroma have been lost. Loose leaf tea generally is of higher quality.
Teabags are typically portioned for a single brew. Use 2.5-3g of loose leaf tea with 200mls of water, though this is a guide and quantities can be adjusted to suit individual preference.
Over-steeped tea leads to bitterness. Set a timer on your phone. Follow the steep time recommendations on the tea packaging. A good guide is to brew for 2-3 minutes for green and oolong tea, 4 minutes for white tea, and 4-5 minutes for black tea. Herbal infusions will need 5 minutes or more.
Another cause of bitter tasting tea is because the leaves are left in the water and continue brewing. To avoid this, use a tea infuser inside a teapot or mug so that the tea can be separated from the water after the first pour. Or make just the right amount to fill your cup so there isn’t any water left in the teapot after you’ve poured.
And remember, with loose leaf tea you can reinfuse leaves over again offering great value for money. Remember to allow a little more brewing time.
So now you know how to make the perfect cuppa, it’s time to head to the kitchen, pop the kettle on and brew up a storm.
