How to Prepare a Cup of Tea

Tea Cup

There is more to preparing a cup of tea than meets the eye. A tasty cup of tea requires starting with fresh, cold water. Many people have a personal preference for either loose leaf tea or tea bags. Whatever your preference, following the basic steps for preparing a cup of tea should produce a drink that is delicious and enjoyable. Learn how easy it can be to prepare a refreshing cup of tea.

Things You'll Need

• Teakettle and stovetop or Glass measuring cup and microwave Filtered water Teapot Tea (loose leaf or bags) Tea Strainer (optional) Spoon Cup Cream (optional) Sugar (optional) Honey (optional)

Instructions

1. Pour enough fresh filtered water into an empty teakettle or a glass measuring cup to make the desired amount of tea. Approximately 8-10 ounces of water is needed to make one cup of tea. Pour in more water than you think you will need so that you are sure to have enough.
   If using a teakettle, place it on the stove top and set the burner to high. If using a microwave, place the glass measuring cup in the microwave and begin heating the water on high. Leave the water on the heat source until it boils and then remove it from the heat.

2. Heat the teapot by pouring a few inches of boiling water into the pot. Swirl the water around for several seconds and then pour out the water into the sink.

3. Measure the tea if using loose leaf tea. Use one heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each cup of tea. Place the tea directly into the teapot. If using tea bags, place one tea bag for each cup of tea into the teapot.

4. Pour the boiling water into the teapot over the loose tea or the tea bags. Pour just slightly more than you expect to drink. Place the lid on the teapot and allow the tea to steep for one or two minutes.

5. Place a tea strainer over your tea cup if using loose tea. Pour the tea into the cup so that the tea goes through the strainer as it is being poured, separating the tea leaves from the tea so that only the liquid goes in the cup.
   If using tea bags, simply remove the tea bags and pour the tea into the cup.

6. Stir the tea. If you like to drink your tea with additional ingredients (cream, sugar, or honey for example) add these ingredients now.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people prefer to use one extra tea bag when brewing tea, others do not think this is necessary. This is your preference.