Have You Been Making Your Tea the Wrong Way?

What if we told you that you’ve been making tea the wrong way all of this time? Could that really be possible? It could.

It turns out that many people have been going about their tea-making skills all wrong, from the amount of water and tea they put in, to the time they add the milk.

In this post, we are going to go over the basics of how to make the perfect cup of tea- the right way.

Let’s begin.

How Much?

A good rule of thumb is one teaspoon of tea and one cup of water per person. Now, there is definitely some variation with this, since it really depends on how you like your tea. But it’s best to start with the one teaspoon to one cup of water rule when you’re not sure. And, since all loose teas taste differently, you might find that some teas are better with less and some with more.

What About the Water?

The water you use makes a difference in how the finished product tastes. It’s best to use cold, freshly filtered water that has not been reboiled. Reboiling diminishes the oxygen content. Purified and spring water are good choices because they are relatively free of pollutants that can change the taste of the tea.

…And the Temperature?

Temperature is critical to good tea. When you brew high-quality, loose teas, the water temperature should be below boiling. When you notice that the water starts to boil (when bubbles creep up along the sides of the kettle), remove it from the stove.

If you’re good with temperatures, here are some guidelines to follow.

• White and green teas are best at 158 degrees F.
• Black and oolong teas are best at 185 degrees F.
• Herbal blends are best at 212 degrees F.

How About Steeping Times?

Steeping times also affect the taste of your tea. White tea is the most delicate and should be steeped the longest, about 1-3 minutes. Green tea should be steeped for 1-2 minutes, and oolongs only require 30-second infusions. Black teas have more flexibility since it’s a matter of taste preference, but anywhere from 45 seconds to 3 minutes is fine.

Adding Milk and Sugar

Turns out milk and sugar have their own set of rules. White and green teas are rather delicate and sweet, so you shouldn’t need to add anything. If you choose to add milk in an oolong or black tea, place the milk into the mug first. According to a group of tea experts at the British Standards Institute, milk is best added before the tea.

Well, there you have it. What do you think? Have you been making tea the right way all along, or are there some things you can do differently?