Things You'll Need:
- tea cup or mug
- loose leaf tea or tea bag
- tea kettle
-
Step 1
Choose your tea. Black, Red, Green, White, Herbal, Oolong? So many teas, so little time. Let's go with a black tea for the sake of time and space.
-
Step 2
Boil your water. Bring cold, fresh water to a rolling boil.
-
Step 3
If using loose leaf tea, add one teaspoon per cup (8 oz.) of water into strainer and pour water over tea leaves. Tea expands 2-5 times its dried size when water is added, so the more room, the better the flavor. If using tea bag, pour water over bag in mug. Again, bags that allow better expansion result in better flavor.
-
Step 4
Let black tea steep for 4-5 minutes. Oversteeping will cause tea to taste bitter, not stronger. For Green, White, and Oolong teas, steep for 3-4 minutes, adding water after it has slighty cooled, rather than boiling. Herbal teas require steeping for 5 minutes or more.
-
Step 5
Remove strainer or tea bag. Add milk, sugar, or honey if desired. Milk and sugar is great with breakfast blends, but not so great with Earl Grey, while honey is wonderful in many green teas, such as Jasmine green tea.
-
Step 6
Sit back and enjoy. Let tea invigorate your senses and stimulate your tastebuds. Many teas produce a calming and tranquil effect, while others invigorate and energize.
Comments
csmarie said
on 3/26/2009 My beverage of choice and its good for you. 5*
Hooksey2 said
on 10/20/2008 Nothing beat a warm cup of tea in the winter... well maybe hot chocolate... but that's it!
RENorton said
on 10/20/2008 Nothing like a steaming hot, freshly brewed up of tea. Especially as the weather outside has started getting colder here. Great article. Thanks!