There's nothing quite like the comfort of a well-brewed cup of tea.
The ritual of preparing and savouring tea can be a therapeutic experience, and mastering the art of making the perfect cup is a skill that brings joy to many. In this guide, we’ll explore the finer details of tea preparation, paying attention to the nuances that can elevate your tea-drinking experience to new heights.
Yorkshire Tea’s leading tea expert and senior buyer Suzy Garraghan shares top tips on how to make the perfect cup of tea.
Treat your water kindly – Run the tap a little so the water’s nicely aerated, and only boil it once to keep the oxygen level up. Oxygen in water helps flavour.
Tea cup or tea pot? – If you’ve chosen a tea cup, pop a tea bag in, pour the hot water over and stir briefly. If you’d rather a teapot for some extra brew, make sure you keep everything toasty. Tea likes hot water, but a chilly teapot cools things down. So swirl a little boiling water around the empty pot first.
Patience – Tea needs time to unlock all its flavour, so give it 4-5 minutes to do its thing.
Milk – If you’re brewing tea in a tea cup, it’s better to add the milk last, after it’s brewed. If you’re brewing in a teapot, it’s completely up to you. Ultimately, it’s what’s inside (the bag) that counts!
Making the perfect cup of tea is an art that involves attention to detail and a dash of personal preference. By treating your water kindly, choosing the right vessel, being patient during the brewing process, and mastering the art of adding milk, you can elevate your tea experience to new heights. So, the next time you prepare a cuppa, savour the ritual and enjoy the delightful nuances of a perfectly brewed tea.
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