How to Prep a Perfect Cup of Tea
There is an art behind each cup
Tea has been proven to have many positive effects on our health, like helping us get rid of bad toxins and lessening the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Prepping tea is not simply about dropping a tea bag in a mug of hot water—there is an art in brewing the perfect cup. Achieve a calming reward with these tips:
1. Whenever possible, use loose-leaf tea instead of tea bags, which usually contain tea that is made up of broken, dusty bits of lesser-quality leaves.
READ: 5 Unexpected Uses For Teabags
2. Tea should never be allowed to steep for too long, or you’ll end up with bitter, ruined tea. If you want your tea stronger, add more leaves rather than allowing the tea to steep for longer than recommended.
3. Boil fresh tap or bottled water, not distilled water. Avoid using old heated water, which tends to be flat and is therefore less than ideal for making tea.
4. When it comes to infusing loose-leaf teas, it is always better to use a tea strainer or an infuser basket than a tea ball or a clamping spoon. This way, the leaves have more room to expand and infuse.
5. Buy a beverage thermometer to be sure that you are infusing your teas at the correct temperature. Black teas infuse best with water at the boiling point, while green teas should be used with water at 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
This article originally appeared as “High Tea” in the June 2006 issue of Real Living Magazine.
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