Its a sad fact, but most Americans have never tasted a decent cup of tea.
This is what works for us.
Begin by bringing fresh, cool water to a boil in a kettle. Use the water
you like best, but if your tap water tastes anything like ours, use bottled water. Warm
the teapot with hot water. Allow the hot water to stay in the teapot long enough to heat
the pot properly. Discard the water and then spoon the tea leaves into the pot. Trust
me...you do not want tea bags. Allow one level teaspoon for each cup. If you are making
three or more cups add one for the pot. The heat of the pot will release the bouquet of
the leaves. When the water boils, (for green tea the water should be well below boiling)
immediately remove the kettle from the stove and pour the water over the leaves. It is
important to bring the tea to the kettle, not the kettle to the tea. This ensures that the
water will be hot enough. Let the tea steep for as long as the particular kind of tea
requires. You should experiment with this. Vary the time according to personal taste, but
keep in mind that steeping any tea for longer than five minutes does not contribute to
flavor, only to bitterness. Use sugar and milk to taste. We find that 2% milk works best.
Pour your hot tea into your china cup thru a fine mesh strainer.
*Note: For Oolong and Green tea, water should simmer at 200 degrees F. and 180 degrees F.
Then sit back and relax, because this is your time......enjoy.
844 Ridgeway Lane
Beeville Texas 78102
U.S.A.
