Saturday, May 23, 2009

It's Satur-tea! Brewing the Perfect Pot of Tea

Here are the directions for brewing the perfect pot of tea:)
Brewing Black Tea (using loose leaf tea)

Temper your tea pot by pouring hot water in it and then pouring it out through the spout.

  1. Put 5 level teaspoons of loose tea leaves into the tea strainer (I use a tea sock)
  2. Place tea strainer into tempered tea pot
  3. Pour boiling water into pot through tea strainer and let steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like your tea (I usually steep for 4 minutes).
  4. Remove tea strainer with leaves and enjoy your tea!

For Decaf Tea (yes, you can decaf your tea:)

  1. Temper the tea pot
  2. Put 5 level teaspoons of tea leaves into tea strainer
  3. Boil double the amount of water (enough for two pots).
  4. Pour boiling water into tea pot through strainer and let sit for about 30 seconds.
  5. Remove tea strainer with leaves and dump the water from the pot.
  6. Put the strainer with leaves back in the tea pot and pour the remainig hot water into the tea pot through the strainer with tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes.

The caffeine goes out in the first wash:)

Brewing Loose Leaf Green or White Tea

For Green or White teas follow the first set of instructions BUT let the boiling water sit for about 2 minutes before pouring over the tea leaves. Once it has cooled for two minutes pour the hot water into the teapot through the strainer and tea leaves and steep for 3 minutes. Boiling water tends to make green or white tea leaves bitter.

My favorite teas are from Harney & Sons (http://www.harney.com/). They have a wonderful webiste with an incredible selection of teas. My favorites are Vanilla, Paris, Mango, Appricot, Earl Grey Supreme, and Darjeeling.

Happy Brewing!

9 comments:

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

I love these methods of making tea! Isn't it fascinating how a little leaf and some properly boiled water can make us so happy? You have such a lovely style. Merci for visiting my audacious pink post! Come over anytime for some pink champagne! :) Anita

Andrea said...

Oh, thank you, dear friend, for sharing the art of making the perfect pot of tea! I am printing this post and placing it in my cabinet of tea for safe keeping.

Kim, I so appreciate your recent comment on my post. My heart was touched beyond measure. What a wonderful example of God's love overcoming our difficulites! I praise Him for His precious work in your life! You are an example of His love!

Many blessings to you this holiday weekend.

With Christ's Love,

Andrea

crochet lady said...

Thanks for sharing that. I didn't know it was possible to decaf tea at home.

I will check out Harney and Sons also, I would like to find a good place to get good loose leaf tea.

Blessings!
Jen

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Thanks for the tea tips!
I'll be sure to remember them when I whip up some tea at your party!!!
everything vintage

Deanna said...

FANTASTIC POST!
So nice that you explain how to do this.

Hurray, I figured how to follow your sweet post!!!

Blessings,
~Deanna~

lorhen82 said...

Would you believe that I don't have a teapot??? I always have used teabags. I know I'm missing out, so I'm going to have to get one someday. Thanks for the decaf instructions too! ~Lori

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Kim,

There is a real art in making a nice cup of tea.
Our ritual is to have two cups of tea first thing in the morning.
It is such a good way to start the day.

I remember watching Jeeves & Wooster years ago and Jeeves ( Steve Fry ) was demonstrating how to make a good cup of tea.
Did you ever see that series?
It was lovely.

Enjoy your weekend
Hugs
Carolyn

Teacup Mosaics said...

WOW I can go decaf, thanks for sharing, no more gitters:)

June said...

Hi Kim,
Great tips for making tea. I was so glad you gave instructions for brewing decaf. I never knew. I can't have caffeine after noon or I just can't sleep.
Smiles,
June