by K. Hyde

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: March 31, 2011

We live in a fast paced society, and we expect instant gratification. When brewing tea, most people simply use hot tap water or maybe microwave a cup of water, throw in a tea bag and gulp it down. While there is certainly nothing wrong with this method, it does result in a more bitter tea.

Instead of just going through the motions, there are some steps you can take to achieve a more flavorful cup of tea. Here are some general guidelines for you to try so that you may taste that perfect cup of tea.

There are two main styles of tea, loose leaf tea or tea bags. Generally speaking, loose leaf tea is usually a better quality tea. But there are some excellent tea bags out there.  When choosing between teas, usually the larger the tea leaf the more flavorful the tea. Most tea bags use smaller leaves or broken bits of leaves. Also, the more room the tea has to brew in, the better the taste. A tea bag generally doesn't allow for the leaf to expand as it should.

After you have selected your tea, it is time to start the brewing process. First, bring your water to a rolling boil. Don't let it boil too long though. That will reduce the oxygen in the water which in turn will lower the flavor.

For brewing loose leaf tea, you need to warm the tea pot or tea cup first by adding some boiling water. Just swirl the water around and then dump it out. Otherwise the water temperature will cool too quickly when steeping the tea.

The general guideline for measuring tea is a well rounded teaspoon for each cup of tea and then one for the pot. Remember, a cup is 8 ounces, and many cups today are much larger. So take into account the size of the cups when measuring your tea.

Next, add the loose tea either to the bottom of your tea pot or add it to a tea infuser and place that into the cup. Then pour the boiling water over the tea or tea strainer.

One note, for brewing green or white teas, you should let the water set two or three minutes before pouring over the tea. These teas are more delicate and if the water is too hot they might burn.

Let the tea steep for about three to five minutes depending on the variety of tea. Milder teas like white and green teas usually take less time while darker teas usually need to steep longer.

Also, personal taste should be considered. The longer the tea steeps, the stronger the tea's flavor. Many teas have suggested steeping times on the container. If you are trying a new variety of tea, start with the suggested time and then modify to suit your personal preference.

Do not steep the tea too long or your tea will turn bitter.  When your tea is done steeping, remove the infuser or use a strainer to strain the loose tea. If you are using a tea bag, be sure to not squeeze the bag or swirl the bag around. This will also result in a more bitter tea.

Finally, appreciate your tea. Instead of gulping it down, be sure to sip it and really taste it. Life can be hectic and stressful. Take a few extra minutes and really enjoy each sip.

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