THE ART OF BREWING TEA
Water
Start with filling your kettle with fresh, cold water. Don't use water that was already in the kettle or previously boiled. It is essential for water to be absolutely fresh. The better the quality of your water, the better your brew.
Temperature
Always make sure to pre-warm your teapot and cup. This will help release the aroma of tea. A cold teapot or cup reduces the temperature of water which interferes with the brewing process.
The darker your tea leaf, the closer the water temperature should be to 100 degrees. Black teas brew best with boiling hot water - around 98 degrees. Green teas render a better brew at lower temperatures - around 80 degrees. If your kettle doesn't have a temperature display, a good rule of thumb is to wait for two to three minutes after the water has come to a rolling boil.
Tea
Choose your favourite blend and use one teaspoon per person, plus one for the teapot.
Brewing
Steeping your tea for the right amount of time will allow its flavours and aromas to be fully released. Follow the specified brewing times on your tea package.
If you prefer a lighter brew then opt for the lower recommended brewing time. For a more robust tea, steep longer.
Additions
Any additions can be made after your tea has brewed. Milk and sugar are old favourites, so is honey, maple syrup, mint, cinnamon and rosewater.