Making the Proper Tea
The most significant part of a tea service is boiling water and plenty of it. The least amount of water not actually bubbling as it is poured over tea leaves turns the flavor to hay. Nothing is easier than tea-making; nothing is rarer than the hostess who knows how!
"Blooming tea can add sheer delight to a tea party. Meant to delight your eyes as well as taste buds these awe-inspiring 'display teas' unfurl when added to water, revealing delicate flowers hidden within"
To make great tea, first, rinse the pot with a little boiling water to heat the teapot and pour out. Then put in a rounded teaspoonful of tea leaves or one tea-bag for each person or half this amount if the tea is of high quality. Then pour enough boiling water about half an inch to cover the tea leaves. It should steep for about five minutes, or those heavy tea drinks let it steep for ten, before additional boiling water is poured on. For those who like their tea weak, pour half tea and half boiling water. Last but not least pour it straight for those who like it strong. The cup of good tea should be too strong without the addition of little lively boiling water, which gives it freshness.
"Blooming tea can add sheer delight to a tea party. Meant to delight your eyes as well as taste buds these awe-inspiring 'display teas' unfurl when added to water, revealing delicate flowers hidden within"
When tea is standing for a while and for many guests, the ideal way to make it is in a big kettle on the kitchen stove, very strong, and let the tea actually boil three to four minutes on the range; then pour it through a sieve or filter into your hot teapot. Don't worry, the tea won't become bitter. Also, you don't need a strainer at the table. It doesn't matter if it gets quite cold. Boiling water poured over no more than the tablespoonful of such tea is hotter than most of us can drink immediately.
Posted by Eugene Vodovoz at 12 December 2011, 4:07 PM 
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: tea boiling water teapot steep freshness tea leaves stove strainer saucer cups
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: tea boiling water teapot steep freshness tea leaves stove strainer saucer cups
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