Seems like everyone knows how to make a perfect cup of tea. There are always debates on whether milk is first in or after, time to steep, type of teapot to be used to brew, and so on.

But let’s see what the experts say.

• The preferred teapot is a traditional China teapot and that’s in fact a part of tea`tual (tea ritual).
• If using loose-leaf tea, one person or a max of two persons for a teapot.
• Boil fresh water to get good oxygen levels.
• Stirring the tea leaves helps leaves to infuse.
• 3 to 4 minutes is the time needed for optimum infusion.
• Add milk after you take off the tea basically to understand the strength of tea; however you can add after the water boils too.

As per Scientists at Northumbria’s School of Life Science have discovered that the key to the best-tasting brew is to let it sit for six minutes before drinking. Allowing the tea to rest this way avoids its scolding as it has cooled to 140 F/60 C, apparently, the optimum temperatures for the flavours to flow. However, leave it for 17 minutes and 30 seconds and the tea will be past its best.

Their conclusion was to add boiling water to a tea bag in a mug and leave for two minutes. Remove the bag, add the milk and leave for a further six minutes or until it reaches 140 F/60 C. Should the temperature drop below 113 F/45 C the flavours are destroyed?

Instructions for Perfect Cup of Tea for One

• Add 1 cup/200 mL of freshly boiled water to your tea bag (in a mug)
• Allow the tea bag to brew for 2 minutes
• Remove the tea bag
• Add 10 mL of milk
• Wait 6 minutes before consumption for the cuppa to reach its optimum temperature of 140 F/60 C

As per tea connoisseurs

• Only Indian or Ceylon
• Always in a teapot , not urn
• The pot should be warmed
• The tea should be strong
• Tea loose in the pot
• Boiling water
• Stir or shake the pot
• Cylindrical cup
• Non-creamy milk
• Tea in the cup before milk
• No sugar

Ref: The Great Book of Tea published by Great Northern Books, Oct 2012

Five Tips to Making a Proper Cup

TIP #1: Use Filtered water.

TIP #2: Set the correct water temperature.

TIP #3: Steep for the correct amount of time.

TIP #4: Use loose tea.

TIP #5: Warm the teapot.