Not everyone knows how to make tea the correct way. Some people learn by trial and error and others have the information passed down from their parents or other relatives. Tea can be made many different ways but there are some guidelines you can follow to insure you get a great tasting cup.
Before beginning make sure you have a high quality tea from a reputable source. Try to get it as fresh as possible for the richest flavor. You also want to use fresh, high quality water. Believe it or not this can greatly affect the flavor and overall enjoyment of the tea. Some people even add a little sugar or other sweetener but this is all up to preference.
Steeping is an important process that allows the tea to flow into the water. This occurs when the tea is placed in the water for a period of time, but this will vary greatly with the type of tea you are making. Black tea usually requires boiling water of around 212 degrees for a period of 4 to 6 minutes. Oolong tea is recommended for approximately 190 to 203 degrees for a period of 3 to 5 minutes. Popular green teas should be steeped at a temperature of 160 to 180 degrees for a lesser time of 2 to 3 minutes. And finally white teas taste best when steeping occurs at 150 to 160 degrees for around 2 to 3 minutes. These are some basic guidelines to follow but always refer to the recommendations set forth by the tea manufacturer.
It is a good idea for the tea to be brewed in a large deep pan, to give ample room for expansion of up to 5 times the leafs' original size. The best way is to just brew the leaves loose in the pot as the ancient cultures once did. Plus you get the full experience of brewing tea, not just the enjoyment of the cup. To get the leaves out when steeping is done you can strain them or use a tea infuser. These are products designed to remove every excess leaf from the water at the right time.
Now you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Drinking tea is a terrific way to relax with your friends.
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