Have no idea how on earth to begin? Don’t even know how to prepare a pot of tea? There are a few tips that make a very real difference in whether a cup of tea is just OK or really great! Let me help step-by-step…
Warm your Teapot. I always rinse mine out anyway. Use warm water, let sit with the lid on while you prepare the tea. (“Tempers” the pot so it keeps the tea warmer AND protects the teapot from extreme temperature changes.)
Prepare water. Rinse out your teakettle. Fill it with cool, fresh tap water. Bring to a boil.
Prepare your Teapot. As water reaches boiling, empty out teapot. Add tea leaves; 1 teaspoonful per cup of tea being prepared and 1 extra teaspoonful for the pot. If using tea bags, use one bag less than the number of cups you will be making. For example, if your teapot holds 5 cups of water, use 4 tea bags OR 6 teaspoons of loose tea.
As water reaches boiling, pour water into teapot immediately. Do not let the water “over-boil” or it will go flat.
Let steep…put lid on teapot and cover with a tea cozy for 3-6 minutes, dependent upon how strong you like your tea. Small tea leaves take less time to steep than larger tea leaves. Stir once while steeping.
Strain off leaves (or remove tea bags) and serve.
Don’t forget! Tea BEGS for relationship. Include a loved one in your teatime!
I LOVE that sentence: Tea BEGS for relationship. Include a loved one in your teatime! I made sweet potato biscuits for our afternoon snack. I was just going to hand them to the boys. But guess what I’m going to do? Go and make some tea! We do have tea-time occasionally but not as a regular tradition. Thanks so much for the inspiration!