Mary Elizabeth's Tea Tips

 

Mary Elizabeth's Tea Tips! How to make the perfect cup of tea!HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT CUP OF TEA

Remember the brewing of your tea is very important to the final cup. Not all teas require the same preparation techniques. It is, therefore, good to know the exact method for the type of tea you intend to prepare in order for your tea to have the right taste.

 

BLACK TEA

When brewing a pot of black tea (fermented leaves) fill your kettle with freshly drawn cold water, filtered if possible. Bring the water to a rapid boil, and boil for about a minute, the water should then be at the right temperature. Never let the water boil too long as all the oxygen will be taken out of the water, making your tea dull and lifeless. Take the pot to the kettle and warm your tea pot with a little of the water from the kettle and then pour this out. If using loose tea, measure out one level teaspoon per person. Put your tea in the pot. If using tea bags, good quality ones are acceptable, put two to the pot. Pour the water over the tealeaves/teabags, stir gently, cover with a tea cozy and steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

Pour your brewed tea into your cup using a strainer for loose tea, add milk/suguar if desired.

Never use cream, or skim milk in your tea, I would recommend 1% milk. Always have your milk at room temperature to prevent cooling your tea and add the milk after your tea is in the cup.

 

OOLONG TEA

Steep oolong tea (partially fermented leaves) for only 30 seconds to 1 minute.

 

HERBAL INFUSIONS(such as Holly's very berry tea) can be prepared in a similar manner to black tea.

 

GREEN TEA

For green tea, ALWAYS use filtered water bring your kettle of cold water to a rolling boil. You must then allow the water to cool to a temperature of about 185 degrees F (it only takes about one minute for boiling water to cool to the desired temperature.) Then pour over the leaves in your tea pot enough to just cover them. Let the tea sit for about 20 seconds and pour off the water. Now cover the leaves with enough water to make a pot of tea. and allow the tea to steep. Strain the green tea into your cup(s). You really need to use green tea sparingly - approximately 1 teaspoon of green tea per 8oz cup will make a good tasting cup of tea.

Let the green tea steep for no more than 1 - 2 minutes.

Never add milk to green tea. (the milk will engulf the delicate flavor ).

You will find, generally, that full-leafed teas always produce, when made correctly, more than one cup per teaspoon.

 

WHITE TEA

Steep white tea for a longer period, from 4 - 15 minutes, making sure the tea leaves are immersed..

 

REMEMBER Tea is a matter of taste, and I would suggest that you experiment with quantities and steeping times until you find the exact method of tea brewing which is to your personal liking.

 

REMEMBER good tea tastes better.

Also, besides taste, the smell of tea is Important. Do not be afraid to try a variety of teas, remember there are literally thousands of types of tea just waiting for you to try and enjoy.

Questions? contact Mary Elizabeth@teascompany.net I am always willing to help!

 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? come to Mary Elizabeth's 'SERENITEA' extended weekend - Tea and tranquilitea escape the winter blahs to the beautiful Sonoran Desert.

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