by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: September 12, 2009

Being easy going about many things is not a problem for me, but I take my tea making serious. You might even say I'm a bit eccentric about it.

Each person that is a tea drinker has a particular type and brand they like. Tea drinkers often feel strongly about what constitutes a good cup of tea. Your choices will depend on your taste. For best results experiment with several types of tea and length of brewing before you dismiss tea as an inappropriate drink for you.

Choose the correct tea. Although I can drink herbal teas, I do not enjoy them first thing in the morning. They don't have the kick I want and just seem too weak, but then I love strong tea. My favorite morning tea is Irish Breakfast Tea by Twinings. It is a full bodied tea and is a great replacement for coffee which sometimes upsets my stomach in the early morning hours. This black tea has'robust flavour strength' according to the package.

For me this is the one, but you may like some of their other flavors. There are many great teas, but this one delivers everything I need for first thing in the morning. Twinings also makes green and herbal teas.

Next, get your cup ready. I use sugar in my tea, more than I should (usually 1 and 1/2 teaspoons) full. I have my cup ready with sugar and my special tea bag in the cup.

Get fresh water which has run a couple minutes and heat it till it is really boiling. I use a kettle with a whistle and unless I'm afraid of waking someone else I let it whistle a few minutes to be sure it is really hot.

I pour the water almost to the top since I use only a couple drops of milk in my tea. Then I carefully place a teaspoon on top of the tea bag to ensure it brews its strongest strength.

I immediately check the clock and start my timing. For me a regular cup brews for seven minutes and a large mug brews for 9. That is far longer than directions, but I do like a hearty cup of tea. For me, perfect timing means perfect tea. When my husband makes it for me, he adheres to my ridiculous ritual, but the tea is always great.

Squeeze out your teabag. I usually do this by placing the tea bag on a spoon and wrapping the string around it to squeeze it out. Then add your milk as soon as it is brewed. Stir well and enjoy.

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