Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

Last time we discussed the different types of teas and how your selection should simply be based on what you like. Now that you have selected your tea, let’s get it properly prepared, shall we?

There are three components (besides the tea itself) which will determine whether your tea is a comforting and delicious part of your day, or a bitter or tasteless ritual you must endure. These are water, temperature and time.

Water: Water quality plays a huge part in the outcome of your tea. Like any project, if you start off badly, it’s all downhill from there. Use cold and fresh filtered, bottled or spring water. Tap water is certainly acceptable if you have good, drinkable water. Never use distilled water. Distilled water does not contain any of the minerals found in other types water. Distilled water is good for your iron, not your tea. Those minerals are important. Without them your tea will be flat and lifeless.

Temperature: Perhaps the most important, yet most overlooked aspect of steeping your tea. Countless times I have heard folks that spend good money on an exquisite white or green tea only to complain that it was bitter. Invariably the culprit is the water temperature. Most folks will simply bring their water to a boil and pour it over the tea. Good tea requires a little more finesse. Here’s a general guide to water temperature:

White and Green Teas should use water at temperatures less than boiling, 170 to 180 degrees. You can accomplish this by use of a thermometer or if this is not available, simply use 3 parts boiling water and 1 part room temperature water to achieve the desired temperature. Using boiling water will scorch the leaves and result in a bitter taste.

Blacks, Oolongs and Herbals can use boiling water. Since the leaves of blacks and oolongs are already partially to fully oxidized, there is no risk of scorching the leaves. Herbals also steep better in boiling water.

Another important factor in temperature is the pot. If possible, pre heat the pot with a little boiling water prior to steeping your tea. This will insure that your water does not cool too quickly allowing the tea to steep perfectly.

Time: Also an important factor in good tea. Under steeping can result in a bland and flavorless cup, while over steeping can result in a cup too strong or bitter to drink. Of course the strength of your tea is a matter of personal taste and you can vary the steeping times as you see fit, but here is a guide:

White Teas: Steep from 1 to 3 minutes.

Green Teas: Steep from 3 to 5 minutes

Oolong and Black Teas: Steep from 4 to 6 minutes.

Herbals: Steep from 5 to 7 minutes.

Hopefully this missive has given you some pointers. While all of this may seem like a lot of work, try to make the ritual of preparing your tea a part of the enjoyment of a Perfect Cup of Tea.