How To Make A Perfect Pot Of Tea

I always, always, always, make tea in a
teapot and never, never, never
just in a mug!

It's one of my top 2 pet peeves.
Ok I have more, but this is at the top.

YUK!

I do not like to see a tea bag hanging
 out of a mug. I do not like a tea bag just 
dunked a few times in a mug. I do not like a
wet tea bag in sight. I do not like it anywhere. 
Besides, Dunking a bag up and down a few
times doesn't give the tea a chance to
brew. Tea needs time. That one tea bag will
make a whole pot of tea, 4-6 cups.
It's just too easy to make a proper
pot of tea.  It's so civilized.
Tea drinking should be a pleasure.

To make tea properly there are a few crucial
 steps, and just two ingredients;
tea and water.

A kettle to boil the water and a tea pot
 (now you're talking!) is essential to brew
the tea. You'll need one (or two, if you
 you like it very strong) tagless tea bags,
or loose tea in a tea ball.

1. Fill your kettle with fresh cold water,
from your tap is fine.

2. Bring the water just to a boil, before the
kettle is fully whistling.

 3. Do not let it continue to boil or use instant
 hot water. It will give you a flat,
dull tasting tea. 

4. Pour a little of the hot water into your
 tea pot, replace the lid and give the pot
 a little swirl and let sit for 30 seconds. 

Pour out the water thru the spout.
This warms the pot and spout.

 5. Add the tea bag. I prefer tagless,
they're cheaper. Now replace the lid and
 warm the bag for 30 seconds.
 This gently releases the tea oils.
OK you can skip this step
....baby steps people.

6.  Now gently pour in the water to fill the pot. 

Cover with the lid and let steep
 for 3-5 minutes.

7.  Give the tea a stir and remove the bag.
Leaving the bag in after it has brewed will
make the tea taste bitter.

8.  Now pour yourself a lovely cuppa tea! 

Tea on a New Jersey porch

Even when I'm visiting family, I'll find their
one hidden teapot, wash it and put it to use.
Click on the photo above to read that post.

You can add milk, sugar, or lemon to your
cup. I like mine straight. Tealightful!

 Pass the cucumber sandwiches and scones. 

Tea is lovely to share, but 

I do this even if it's only just for me.

 I can pour myself a second cup. Then, after
the tea cools I'll save it for iced tea.

 One of my dislikes is a teabag in a cup or
mug with the string and tag hanging out.

 Dislike is a mild way of saying that it totally
makes me nuts! Along with: wine in a paper
 cup, instant coffee, instant anything really,
no turkey on Thanksgiving, pillows askew,
ugly soap dispensers, ugly coffee mugs,
chairs that aren't pushed in around the table,

......sorry, you get the idea.
I think I need a cup of tea from one of my
cute teapots. I love, love, love teapots!!

 Here are sone of the teapot you've seen in
my blog post over the years.

Cheerio!

*see my post on the benefits of buying 

teabags tagless v strings here.

Links: Between Naps On The Porch.

Rattlebridge Farm, The Charm of Home,

My Repurposed Life, 

French Country Cottage,

My Romantic Home

also

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