How to make the perfect cuppa
A good cup of tea is hard to beat. For more than 3,000 years, tea has been sipped and slurped, with more than 165 million cups being enjoyed on a daily basis in the UK. Today, there are countless brewing methods and leaf types, and many opinions on how it should be made. Here are a few tips to help ensure your next cuppa is perfect.
Mood match your cuppa
Everyone has their own preference when it comes to flavours, but it’s a good idea to match your emotional and physical needs to the tea. Choices are plentiful but can include chamomile for relaxation and improved sleep, and peppermint for soothing and promoting digestion.
Tea has been linked to a range of health benefits, with green tea being a great antioxidant that can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Select a good-quality tea and pair it with your favourite teapot, or if teapots aren’t your thing, focus on having your best mug or cup on hand. It’s also worth considering where you’re going to enjoy your tea. Being comfortable with your favourite cup will make it taste better, whether you’re at a desk or table, or you’re using a padded lap tray like Cushioned Laptrays.
Put the kettle on
Before you boil the kettle, make sure to use fresh, cold water, because newly drawn water retains oxygen. Filtered water is ideal if possible. Tea will then be oxygenated and it’ll taste more vibrant and pure.
Once boiled, it’s best to leave the water for two or three minutes to cool just a little; the water will still be hot but it won’t scorch the tea. By doing this, you’re allowing the delicate leaves to more gently release their flavours, resulting in a fuller, richer cup of tea.
Brewing
Whether you want a stronger or weaker tea will partly determine how long you should let it brew, but it is also important to follow the instructions as every tea will have its own recommendations for the optimal method and timing. Once brewed, remove the tea from the water and mix in any desired additives, such as milk. Then, you can sit back to appreciate a job well done and let your perfect cuppa work its magic.
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