Tea Time

Hot Tea

I love tea.  Except for Diva Dolores, I know no one else who collect teapots and tea as much as I.  I drink hot tea and iced tea, fermented tea or green tea, plain or sweet.  I use teabags or loose tea, tea machines (like the one by Mr. Coffee), Mrs. Tea,  or plain pots.  What I don’t drink: canned or bottled tea, instant tea, flavored teas (unless I do the flavoring), or sun tea.

The British have the right idea. Tea time. I practice tea time in my home, although I live in the United States. It’s a wonderful custom that I’ve embraced for many years.

I was delighted to learn that my favorite beverage is also healthful. Tea, either black or green, contains antioxidants. ‘Nuff said. Since I usually drink mine black, it’s also low calorie.  But I am particular about how I brew my tea.  Done right, it’s delicious.  Done wrong, it can be nasty tasting.  Here are some tips for brewing the perfect pot of tea.

1. Use filtered water. Chemicals and minerals can react to the tannins in tea.
2. Heat water to just boiling. (190° is perfect)
3. Warm your teapot by rinsing with some of the boiling water.
4. Add tea bags to your teapot, approximately 1 bag per cup of tea (or equivalent amount loose tea in an infuser)
5. Pour hot water over the tea.
6. Brew for 3-5 minutes (green tea 2-3 minutes). If you let the tea steep longer, it may become bitter.
7. Remove tea bags or infuser.
8. Pour tea into cups, and serve.  Add lemon, sweetener, and/or milk if you prefer.
9. Enjoy!

Iced Tea

1. Brew following steps 1-7 for hot tea but double the amount of tea bags or loose tea.
2. (optional)  Dissolve sugar according to taste in the hot tea.
3. Mix the hot tea with equal amounts of cold water and/or ice.
4. Pour over ice in glasses and serve plain or with lemon wedges and/or sprigs of mint.

But the easiest way to keep a pitcher of ready-to-drink iced tea in your refrigerator is by using an iced tea maker. With measurements on the side of the pitcher, and an automatically timed heating and brewing cycle, these handy appliances produce perfectly brewed iced tea every time.

Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker

To avoid cloudy tea, allow your pitcher of iced tea to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.

If tea isn’t your cup of tea, try making it following the above directions. It could be you’ve never had properly brewed tea. Or it could be you drank tea made from water with too many chemicals.

I have to stop writing now. It’s time for my morning cup!

Diva Cheryl, who never developed a taste for coffee