How to Make Tea Like an Englishman

We’ve lost the art of how to make tea.

Partly to blame is the American tendency to “super size” everything.

A couple of weeks ago I made tea for my husband and me.?It was a type that we often drink. He commented about how good it tasted and asked how I made it.

It was the same question that I had a sked a friend when she served some delicious lemon ginger tea.

The secret? Follow the package directions! But pay attention to ratios – that is, tea to boiling water.

Many tea companies suggest 6 ounces of water to one rounded teaspoon of tea. That is a lot more than most of us use. In fact, 6 fluid ounces is just 3/4 of a cup.

And it’s 6 ounces to 1 rounded teaspoon – that’s a teaspoon that has a little bulge at the top, not a leveled-off measure.

You can use tea bags, but be sure to look at the tea to water ratio on the package. You can always add more boiling water if your tea is too strong. But letting the bag “soak,” or dunking it won’t do much but let the water cool if you make the tea too weak.

Here’s my easy method.

You will need:

1. A good loose-leaf tea or tea bags.  For a full-bodied, spicy flavor, my absolute favorite is Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice. (It is real tea with spice added, not an herbal tea.)
2. A measuring spoon (not needed if you use tea bags)
3. A ceramic teapot
4. Boiling water – just to the boil.
5. A strainer (not needed if you use tea bags)
6. A teacup or mug

Six items may seem like a lot. It’s not. You probably have it all in your kitchen right now, except for the tea.

Here are the steps:

1. Bring cold, filtered water to a boil. Use about 3/4 c. water for each cup of tea. Double that quantity for a mug.  Add another 3/4 c. water for warming the teapot.
2. Turn off the heat. Pour a bit of water into the teapot, put on the lid, and swish it around for a few seconds to warm the pot. Discard the water.
3. Measure and add to the teapot a rounded teaspoon of loose-leaf tea  or a tea bag for each cup you want to make. For a mug, use two rounded teaspoons per mugful.
4. Add the hot water to the teapot, and replace the lid.
5. Set a timer for 3 minutes.
6. When the timer goes off, pour the brewed tea through the strainer into cups or mugs.  The strainer is to catch the loose-leaf tea leaves.
7. Enjoy a smooth and flavorful cup of tea as good as any you can find anywhere.

As for Tea “Extras”

1. The choice of “milk or lemon” is offered to the guest.
2. Sugar is passed, or you can ask how much and add it as requested.

That’s it. You are ready for the tea “big time.”  And if you like your tea plain, and alone with your own fabulous company, so much the easier.

© 2019, 2024 ajoann.com. All rights reserved. See Legalese tab for permissions.