Tea Time: Brewing the Perfect Pot of Tea
Tea is a very important part of many of our lives. A black tea to start the day. Herbal tea in the evening to help relax. Hot tea in the winter, iced tea in the summer, tea with lemonade, tea after a meal—it’s more than just a beverage; it’s a way of life. For this reason I, the Earl of Grey, have deigned to impart unto you a bit of my own personal wisdom. Who knows tea better than I?
Brewing tea may seem simple to laypeople, but we royals know that the brewing the perfect pot of tea is more than a simple ritual—it is an art.
Tea tips:
1. Store your tea properly. Otherwise, the flavor will start to degrade, and it won’t taste as good. This might be fine for your plebian palette, but I would not stand for it. Proper tea storage means in a cool (not cold, like the fridge), dark, dry, airtight place. (Reminds me of one of my ex-wives! My Court Jester told me that one.) Most types of tea only last a few months. Black tea can retain its good flavor the longest, for as long as two to three years. Lighter teas such as green and white teas will taste less than perfect after only a few months at best
2. Use a proper teapot. I am talking about ceramic kettle, teapot and mug. Metal and plastic can affect the taste. And good tasting tea is what I am trying to give you people.
3. Use good water. If your water is not good, your tea will not taste good. It’s a simple rule. You should use filtered or bottled water, not distilled. If you have to use water form the tap, run it for 10 seconds first to get rid of the little nasties that sit in the pipes.
4. Use the right amount of tea leaves. One teaspoon of tea to every six ounces of water is the amount you want. For larger leaf teas, use 2 teaspoons.
5. Boil at the right temperature. Once again, you commoners may not be able to be as precise as we Royals, but there is a perfect temperature for each blend of tea. Black teas require the hottest water (over 200 degrees); white teas are slightly cooler (around 180 or so). Do a little research for your specific type.
6. Steep your tea the right amount of time. Green tea and oolong don’t need long at all while black, and herbal teas may steep for as long as five to ten minutes. Once again, do a little research for your specific tea.
7. Don’t stir! The leaves should be left to open and release their natural flavors at their own pace. Stirring only brings out the tannins, making it more bitter.
8. Loose leaf tea is always best. I would hope that even the lower classes would know that tea bags are not the highest quality. They are, to be specific, paper bags of tea dust, called “fannings.” The flavor of tea bags does not compare to actual loose leaf tea. My friends and I can even taste the paper!
9. Warm the pot before pouring the tea. A little something I picked up a long time ago—swirl a couple of teaspoons of that hot water around the teapot then pour it back out before pouring in the tea. This will warm the pot, and will help keep tea warm longer.
10. Enjoy!
I hope my expert advice helps you to enjoy your warm beverage. I know your day has been made just knowing that I even thought about you!
Tags: black tea, earl, grey, iced tea, leaf, leaves, loose, perfect pot, proper storage, steep, tea, teapot, time
