I was going to write a guide on brewing tea because I drank it for many years doing it the “wrong way.” Of course, it was still tea, but it didn’t taste as good as it could have. I have wondered how many other people are out there drinking inferior tea without realizing it. I did a bit of research while writing the post only to discover there are so many slight variances, I couldn’t write about it with full certainty that I was giving the right advice. If you want to get deep into the technical aspects of a good cup, check out The Spruce.
However, I can say this: I used to shove a mug in the microwave, heat it for a minute or so, drop in a tea bag, add a splash of milk and that was it. My tea didn’t always taste great, but I never knew why. I discovered that most black tea should be brewed at a full boil (212 Fahrenheit/100 Celsius) and should be allowed to steep for several minutes before adding milk.
When using the microwave, it is difficult to know if your tea is the right temperature.
Since those days, we have happily converted to a electric kettle with temperature control. I love it! We use it for so much more than tea; for example, it is a great way to make instant oatmeal (yeah, I know.) for the kids. We also use it to make pour over coffee, which is arguably the best coffee I’ve ever had.
I can hardly drink tea that has had the milk added before the tea got the chance to steep by itself.
I just can’t drink bad tea. I can drink bad coffee, but bad tea is just too much for me.
You can check out my favorite teas in this post.
My dad has very strong feelings about the proper way to make tea, which he has done his best to instill in me. He warms the pot and everything!
He is a good man.
This post speaks to me. My electric kettle broke today though. Those things are blessings!
Oh no! I hope you can get it replaced quickly!
I don’t really like tea all that much but you photos made me want to curl up with a “cuppa” in front of a fire, with music (Mozart? Maybe Ravel..) playing in the background. You have the most delightful aesthetic sense!
Aw! Thank you! I wish we had a fireplace so I could do the same!
I enjoy reading your posts as they inform me of something I may not know or to be more specific how you can be a “modern” woman with such a sense of what was good in the past is still great in the present. I admire that.
That last post was from me -oops forgot to sign
Bobbe
Thank you! I am glad that you like them. 😊
Love your photos (and what yarn is that? I love the color.) I’m not a tea drinker but I do like a cup of chai occasionally. Water up to boiling, steep several minutes, then cream.
The speckled yarn is “Monet” by hedgehog fibers and the solid teal is by hedgerow yarn.