Friday, March 15, 2013

Making a Good Cup of Tea

Tea brewing and drinking has always been a popular activity all over the globe. In some countries, people sip tea at least three times each day. You can enjoy the experience more today, considering that there are so many different flavors to choose from, as well as new technologies and gadgets that make it easier to make the perfect cup. However, you might be surprised to know that the best way to do it is still through the old method. Here are some tips from the experts on how to be a tea making master.

Choose the Right Ware

Earthenware or chinaware is the only way to go when aiming to make the perfect cup of tea. You will discover that using steel, copper or silver tends to change a few things about the flavor when boiling the water. You will find various designs when looking for a teapot. It will be great if you can find a simple old shop that sells the original pieces just the way they looked like a hundred years ago, rather than go for modern and sleek pieces. You should also get the basic setup, instead of electric tea kettles to get the best flavor.

Choosing the Flavor

There are so many flavors from so many brands, so you have to choose carefully. You will find that the best teas are those made the traditional way. These are simply made with tea leaves hand packed into single tea bags. The most reliable and proven flavors include chamomile, black tea and green tea. Try to take to the maker and ask where he gets the tea leaves from. There are special growers who plant these themselves so they can control the elements, thereby producing leaves that bring out the fullest and most natural flavors.

Rules on Flavoring

Most people prefer putting only a few drops of honey or milk into the brew. Sugar is almost never used by traditional tea drinkers. You can also experiment by using commercialized syrups and flavors. However, the best tea cup uses only two main ingredients: hot water and tea leaves. Putting too much milk at the start might lead to a sour taste. You also do not wish to sip very sweet hot tea, so make sure you control the sweeteners.

About Boiling

Boiling is one of the most basic, yet vital parts of making tea. You have to ensure that you boil everything just right. Do not put the tea bag and water together then boil at the same time. Experts recommend that you boil the water first until it reaches 100 degrees Celsius, then put the tea bag in for 2 minutes maximum. Do not overcook the tea leaves or you'll get a somewhat bitter taste and let go of the original flavor. You should also put some loose tea in the pot while boiling to get the flavor excellently. Take the rest of the leaves out afterwards to keep it from overbrewing.

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