Follow these 7 simple steps below to make the ideal cup of tea, with UK loose leaf tea, every time!
1- Begin with fresh water.
To produce the greatest tasting tea, always fill your kettle with fresh, filtered water. Stale or re-boiled water is not desirable.
2- For each tea, follow the temperature of the water.
When preparing a nice cup of tea, the temperature of the water is critical since the tastes a tea exudes change with different temperatures.
If the water is too hot, you run the risk of scorching the leaves and obtaining a harsh brew.
You run the risk of not allowing the tea leaves to fully infuse if the water is too chilly.
3- Before steeping, warm the mug and/or teapot gently.
Warming a cup or teapot before pouring will assist ensure that the desired water temperature is maintained.
When you fill a cold container with hot water, the temperature of the water will drop faster. As a result, the tea leaves would not be steeped at the correct temperature.
Set the teapot before drinking, or simply heat a cup of water. After the cup is warm, drain it.
4- Perfect ratios of tea and water
To begin, follow the guidelines that came with your tea if they provide how many scoops of tea to use per cup. A typical rule for western-style tea brewing is 1 teaspoon per 8 ounces of water.
However, there are certain loose leaf teas that have large leaves and require 1.5-2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of water.
If you put too many tea leaves in a little amount of water, your steep will be very powerful. It will taste more like a tea concentrate than a cup of tea.
If you use too much water and not enough tea leaves, your cup of tea will be insipid.
Tip: The best tool for the most precise tea leaf to water proportion is a kitchen scale. To make a fresh, cold-brewed tea in the style of black tea using 2-3 grams of leaf per 8 ounces of water is perfect. A scale is not required, but if you have one available, it may be used.
5- Steep while covering
This is a straightforward stage that should not be overlooked. Covering the top of a cup or teapot of tea while steeping is vital for a few distinct reasons.
Covering tea during the steeping process, just like covering a teapot or cup, will assist to maintain the necessary water temperature.
6- When you steep your tea, remember to time it accurately.
Don’t forget about your tea when it’s done! When it comes to steeping, you must keep track of the time.
The length of time required to steep a tea is also determined by the temperature. Please follow the steeping instructions above for guidance.
7- Remove tea leaves and enjoy!
You’ve just made yourself a tasty cup of tea! It’s as simple as pouring boiling water over leaves and then waiting five minutes. You may drink it plain or with milk or sugar, whichever you prefer.
The majority of high-quality loose leaf teas may be steeped a second time. So, when you remove the tea infuser from your cup, don’t just throw out the leaves. Instead, set it aside to consume later and enjoy your drink.