We’ve always believed in ‘no airs, no graces’ when it comes to tea, but as a trained tea taster I always try and follow these “rules” when it comes to making my cuppa.
Water
‘Freshly drawn water’ to you and me this means water straight from the tap. No leaving it in the kettle, boiling over and over again – this will make the tea taste flat, and we’d be very sad indeed.
Water temperature
Black tea needs (and tastes much better with) boiling water. Green tea, white tea and oolong don’t like boiling water. The harsh water will scorch the leaves and take away from their delicate flavour. Herbal infusions, treat these like black teas and use boiling water.
Quality tea
This is a big one (particularly for us!) Nice cuppas come from nice tea leaves. Don’t scrimp when it comes to the quality of the tea, ever!
Tea to water ratio
This one is easy to get wrong. A gallon of water and one tea leaf won’t taste that great. Our teas are weighed out for approx. 300 ml of water. If you were to put a tea temple into a pot for two then of course it will taste week. An average size mug filled with water and one tea temple is the ideal ratio.
Brew time
Big leaves = big brew time! Don’t dunk and run (tut tut). The tea leaves take time to infuse and for the flavour to be released. With teapigs tea temples we recommend at least 3 minutes for all teas. It is well worth the wait, we promise :)
Warm the pot
This really does make a difference if you are making black tea and have a chilly pot! There is no point putting boiling water into a freezing cold pot, it lowers the temperature of the water, bit like putting hot food on a cold plate.
Milk
First or second or never? Black tea (and rooibos too we think) tastes good with milk. If you are brewing in a pot and are pouring into a cup – milk in first. If you are brewing in a mug – milk in second after the tea leaves/bag has been removed.
Allow the brew to cool
Once the tea has been separated from the water it is good to let it cool a little. Not only will piping hot water burn your mouth but it will also stop you from tasting the yummy tea flavours you have just been brewing.
Try these tips for yourself and let us know what you think. We’d also love to know – what are your tea rules never to break?
