Archive for March 18th, 2010
If you’re a tea lover, it’s very likely that your shelves are filled with all kinds of tea. From basic bags to premium loose leaf tea, a true connoisseur is stocked with all varieties and kinds of tea. If you want to prepare the best tea possible, follow some of these basic rules for tea brewing. First and foremost, don’t boil your water. Let it come to just below boiling. This will bring out the flavor of the tea better.
Also, don’t let the tea steep too long or too quickly. Too quickly, and you’ll have a weak, flavorless cup of tea. Too long, and you’ll be stuck with a bitter brew. The ideal amount of time is anywhere between two and three minutes. For many people, black tea is too bitter, even when brewed properly. If that’s the case, consider adding a bit of milk and/or sugar. When adding these products, however, add it a little at a time. You don’t want to overpower the taste of the tea.
There is something really special about an outstanding cup of discount gourmet tea. It’s not just the tea, it’s the ritual.
For me it starts with the aroma of the tea when you open the container. I can’t help it, I just have to lean in and take in the scent of the tea. For some teas this can be the most satisfying part of the experience as that wonderful perfume fills the air. Each sip then becomes an olfactory delight as one more time you soak up the fragrance of the tea.
Then there’s the sip. The cup held close to the lips, the warmth bathing your face. The first sips may be tentative due to the heat allowing you to breath in the tea. Then you sip allowing the liquid to cover your taste buds.
Ahhhh!
Not every cup is like that but when it is, it’s ecstatic and relaxing at the same time. Hope it’s the same for you.
Until next time – happy steeping.