How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea

We’ve been brewing teas at Cup of Tea for a long time, so we know that timing and water temperature are critical to making the perfect cup of tea. These two seemingly banal aspects can mean the difference between a filmy and bitter tea and a deliciously aromatic and elegantly flavoured one. That’s why we have created a How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea, and no matter what tea you are drinking, white, black, green or herbal, you will enjoy tea as it should be. 

 

Black Teas

Black tea is an undisputed favourite in the western world. It comes in wide varieties, is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant and has many characteristics as diverse as its provenance. 

Black teas are great on their own, classically with a dash of milk, or with a hint of sugar or honey, and perhaps a slice of lemon. 

We stock some of the best black teas from around the globe, including bold teas from Assam, distinctive teas from Darjeeling & Ceylon, speciality black teas from China, and wonderfully flavoured black teas. 

 

How to Brew Black Tea 

• Boil freshly poured cold water
• Place the tea leaves in a tea strainer/teapot
• Pour the boiled water over the leaves
• Steep the tea for 3-4 minutes
• Strain the tea or discard the leaves
• Add a slice of lemon, honey or dash of milk

 

 

Green Teas

Green teas can be a little misunderstood. However, fans love them above all other teas. Green tea, like black tea, is made from Camellia Sinensis plants which are grown in lush, mist-enshrouded hillsides of East Asia. 

Green teas a full of distinctive flavours and offer fantastic versatility, making them extremely popular. The key to a top brew is the temperature of the water, which should be around 80C.  

We stock some of the finest teas from China and Japan in our online tea shop. We have selected only those characterised by distinct qualities and flavours with extraordinarily fresh, fragrant and sweet finishes.

 

How to Brew Green Tea

• Boil filtered cold water
• Place the tea leaves in a tea strainer or filter basket
• Pour over the cooled hot (80 degrees) water
• Steep the tea for the appropriate amount of time (2-3 minutes)
• Strain the tea
• We love green teas as they are, but they can be sweetened with sugar or honey. However, we don’t recommend adding milk!

 

 

White Teas

Like green and black teas, white teas are made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Widely regarded as one of the finest teas in the world, white tea is produced almost exclusively in the Fujian province of China. It is the careful process where only the youngest leaves and silvery buds are hand-picked and dried that makes it a rare tea. 

White tea is the most refined of all, offering delicacy, light and sweet nuances, which is ideal any time of the day and sought after by tea connoisseurs.

 

How to Brew White Tea

• Boil fresh (filtered) water and leave to cool slightly.
• Place your white tea in a tea strainer or infuser
• Pour over the hot (80 degrees) water
• The first infusion should be steeped for 90 seconds, and the second or third brew can infuse for 2-3 minutes
• Strain the tea

 

White Tea Notes: 

1. Because white tea is fluffy and airy, a large heaped teaspoon should be used per cup. 
2. White tea is suitable for repeat infusing up to three times.

 

 

Fruit & Herbal Teas

Fruit & Herbal Teas (including Rooibos) are entirely caffeine-free, meaning they can be drunk in abundance, any time of day, hot or cold. 

Herbal and fruit tea infusions provide an attractive alternative to traditional teas and often contain many nutrients needed to support good health and promote wellbeing. They are thirst-quenching, fruity, and hard to beat and come in a wide variety of flavours blended by tea experts. 

Packed with flavour, we only select teas produced with freshly picked whole herbs, flowers, fruit and spices. 

 

How to Brew Herbal Teas (including Fruit and Rooibos)

• Boil (filtered) water 
• For every cup/mug of water, take one heaped teaspoonful of herbal/fruit tea
• Pour the boiling water over the tea or in a tea egg or tea filter
• Cover the pot or cup and allow the infusion to brew for 5 to 10 minutes
• Strain the tea and serve hot – or can be cooled and drank chilled

 

 

Accessories for the Perfect Brew

 

Teapots

 

  Our teapot range is exclusively hand-picked by our tea experts here at Cup of Tea.

  The comprehensive range features glass, ceramic, porcelain and cast-iron teapots to suit every taste.

  From contemporary and cool to classic and colourful, we have little and big family-sized teapots and handy pots for one.

  Some of our teapots feature built-in filters for your favourite loose-leaf teas, while others are classic in design for all types of         tea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Teacups, Mugs & Accessories

 

  Everyone has a favourite tea mug, and we hand-select only high-quality tea accessories; filters, strainers, timers, spoons,              sugar, mugs and cups, and much more! 

  We like to make tea-brewing a pleasure rather than a chore, and we want every cup to taste as good as the last.

  From cups with built-in stainless-steel filters ideal for loose-leaf tea to tea bottles and timers essential for the ideal brewing        time, we have all tea-related matters covered. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tea Caddies – Essential Tea Storage

 

  A high-quality tea caddy is essential to any home that loves teas. It will protect your tea from moisture, sunlight and odours,      all of which will negatively impact the quality of your tea.

  All our caddies, tins and jars are food-grade safe because not all tea caddies are! A good tea caddy will ensure that the only        flavour in your cup will be of the tea you choose. 

  Our range caters for all tastes, and our tea caddies come in simple, contemporary styles, illustrative and patterned and         Japanese-style paper coated. 

Posted by cup of tea admin
17th August 2022

Back to news