Not everyone knows how to make tea the correct way. Some people learn
by trial and error and others have the information passed down from
their parents or other relatives. Tea can be made many different ways
but there are some guidelines you can follow to insure you get a great
tasting cup.
Before beginning make sure you have a high quality tea from a reputable
source. Try to get it as fresh as possible for the richest flavor. You
also want to use fresh, high quality water. Believe it or not this can
greatly affect the flavor and overall enjoyment of the tea. Some people
even add a little sugar or other sweetener but this is all up to
preference.
Steeping is an important process that allows the tea to flow into the
water. This occurs when the tea is placed in the water for a period of
time, but this will vary greatly with the type of tea you are making.
Black tea usually requires boiling water of around 212 degrees for a
period of 4 to 6 minutes. Oolong tea is recommended for approximately
190 to 203 degrees for a period of 3 to 5 minutes. Popular green teas
should be steeped at a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees for a lesser
time of 2 to 3 minutes. And finally white teas taste best when steeping
occurs at 150 to 160 degrees for around 2 to 3 minutes. These are some
basic guidelines to follow but always refer to the recommendations set
forth by the tea manufacturer.
It is a good idea for the tea to be brewed in a large deep pan, to give
ample room for expansion of up to 5 times the leafs' original size. The
best way is to just brew the leaves loose in the pot as the ancient
cultures once did. Plus you get the full experience of brewing tea, not
just the enjoyment of the cup. To get the leaves out when steeping is
done you can strain them or use a tea infuser. These are products
designed to remove every excess leaf from the water at the right time.
Now you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Drinking tea is a terrific way to relax with your friends.
About the author:
James McDonald writes for findteaonline.com where you can find
flavored tea products
including green, black, white, and other delicious teas. Read our
related articles for tea information and even find a teapot or fun
gifts for the tea lover in your family.
