OK, so making a pot of tea is not exactly brain surgery, but there is some methodology to it. If you let it brew too long, the tannin comes out of the tea, making it taste unpleasant. If you do not brew tea for long enough, the flavor never has a chance to develop.
Here are the simple steps for a winner each time:
- Use fresh water and bring it to a boil.
- Immediately pour about 2 or 3 cups of the water into a nice teapot to warm the pot. You can swish it around a little if you like. Don't get carried away here as getting a good scald from near-boiling water is not part of the plan.
- Bring the water in the kettle back to a boil and dump the hot water out of the teapot.
- Add desired amount of tea leaves or bags
- Once the water has boiled, immediately fill the pot to the desired level.
- Allow tea to sit for 5 minutes. No more, no less. Read the first paragraph again if in doubt as to why.
- Enjoy your cuppa!
