To get the best cup of tea at home there a few simple guidelines you can follow!
Step 1: Ditch the Tea Bag. Go for Loose Leaf Tea!
Store bought tea bags typically contain scraps and tea dust left over from loose leaf tea. This can result in a very bitter and harsh tea. Loose leaf tea allows you to utilize the best part of the tea leaf and receive the best extraction. The quality of tea you purchase makes a difference. Do some research to find reputable brands and companies. We serve some of the best loose leaf tea in the Valley.
Step 2: Your Equipment Makes a Difference!
If you make the move to loose leaf tea you'll need to reconsider your tea making equipment. A tea pot with a removable wire basket is ideal. The finer the wire pattern the less likely you are to end up with tea particles in your steep. It's also ideal to remove the tea once it has steeped for the appropriate amount of time, leaving the tea in will cause it to over-steep and therefore ruin your cup. You'll also want to invest in a worthy tea kettle. Heating your water in the microwave isn't preferable due to the lack of temperate control. A good tea kettle on the stove is always the best method.
Step 3: Water Quality!
Just like when you make coffee, water quality is a big component to a perfect cup of tea. Hard water that has been softened is no good as the salinity in the water will impact the taste of the tea. Distilled water is detrimental due to the lack of minerals in the water. A simple faucet water filter or water pitcher with a built in filter will do the trick for your average tea drinker. The heating process will help burn off some of the remaining impurities.
Step 4: Ratio, Temperature, and Steep Time
Ratio: One teaspoon to one cup of water (8 ounces) per person. Its that simple.
Temperature and Steep Time: Each type of tea will require a different temperature and amount of time to achieve perfection. Follow the chart bellow to get the best results.
Step 1: Ditch the Tea Bag. Go for Loose Leaf Tea!
Store bought tea bags typically contain scraps and tea dust left over from loose leaf tea. This can result in a very bitter and harsh tea. Loose leaf tea allows you to utilize the best part of the tea leaf and receive the best extraction. The quality of tea you purchase makes a difference. Do some research to find reputable brands and companies. We serve some of the best loose leaf tea in the Valley.
Step 2: Your Equipment Makes a Difference!
If you make the move to loose leaf tea you'll need to reconsider your tea making equipment. A tea pot with a removable wire basket is ideal. The finer the wire pattern the less likely you are to end up with tea particles in your steep. It's also ideal to remove the tea once it has steeped for the appropriate amount of time, leaving the tea in will cause it to over-steep and therefore ruin your cup. You'll also want to invest in a worthy tea kettle. Heating your water in the microwave isn't preferable due to the lack of temperate control. A good tea kettle on the stove is always the best method.
Step 3: Water Quality!
Just like when you make coffee, water quality is a big component to a perfect cup of tea. Hard water that has been softened is no good as the salinity in the water will impact the taste of the tea. Distilled water is detrimental due to the lack of minerals in the water. A simple faucet water filter or water pitcher with a built in filter will do the trick for your average tea drinker. The heating process will help burn off some of the remaining impurities.
Step 4: Ratio, Temperature, and Steep Time
Ratio: One teaspoon to one cup of water (8 ounces) per person. Its that simple.
Temperature and Steep Time: Each type of tea will require a different temperature and amount of time to achieve perfection. Follow the chart bellow to get the best results.