Any tea connoisseur will sing the praises of loose leaf tea, but do you know how to properly brew it? It’s easy as a wink. Use 1 tsp. of tea leaves per 8oz water. Have your water just barely under the boiling point for black and herbal teas – if it’s boiling, it may scald the leaves and make the flavor bitter. For delicate white and green teas, the water needs to be a touch cooler. Set your timer! Four minutes is my black tea perfection. Green: 3; White: 2; Herbal infusion: 5+. Yours may be a little more, or a little less…it’s all according to strength preference.
*Tip: I suggest using a bamboo or (as seen above) a recycled plastic strainer. Metal can react to the tea and alter the flavor.
My favorite tea at the moment? Lapsang Souchong. A delicious smoked black tea. There is simply nothing cozier for chilly winter days!
What’s your favorite?
Love these tips…I have so many fun and beautiful teapots, strainers, etc for making loose tea with because there really is nothing better! I’m a black tea girl but have been enjoying more herbals lately. Cherry blossom (Harney and Sons tea) is so delicious and perfect for after dinner.
Cherry blossom DOES sound delicious! Do they carry it at Barnes and Noble do you know? I’d love to try it!
I actually don’t know, but it’s worth a try. I got it at the Harney and Sons store in NYC when I lived there, and I’m savoring my last bit of it! They have a website so you could always order it, too
We don’t have a Harney and Sons store here
– B&N is the only supplier that I know of in our area – I’ll have to take a look next time I’m there. I know they like to carry seasonal teas, so maybe my chances will be better as we get closer to spring!
We don’t use loose leaf tea but my mom does. I like my tea strong so I leave it steeping practically the whole time. I also drink it quick once its ready so that helps. I love spicy teas. Anything with licorice. Mmm. Sweet and spicy.
awesome pics, by the way
Thanks girl
I was fairly happy with how they turned out! We adore licorice over here too…so yummy, and makes it naturally sweet so you don’t have to even add sugar or honey! Yummo!
I absolutely love tea, especially loose-leaf ones! And I savor my tea ritual every morning, boiling water in a kettle the old-fashioned way, waiting for the kettle to whistle, pouring water over the tea and watching the leaves slowly expand and rehydrate, and the water change color… such a great start to the day. Earl Grey is my favorite in the morning – with a little sugar and a splash of milk. I don’t know if that’s proper according to the English, but that’s how I like it. But if I have lavender Earl Grey, I have it plain
I know what you mean about how the temperature of the water makes such a difference. I actually use a thermometer with my green and white tea – a little obsessive, I know!
My favorite tea source is this lovely little shop called Essencha in Cincinnati (they do ship!), as my first choice…I get my Earl Grey there and this awesome green tea blend called Sunburst (isn’t that a pretty name?). Then Harney & Sons and Mighty Leaf.
What a lovely and peaceful way to start the morning Mia! I love little “rituals” like that. I’m a huge Earl Gray fan too (and Lavender Earl Gray – delish!). Have you ever tried warming up some milk and steeping your Earl Gray teabag just in that? (with no water) It’s quite a fabulous after dinner treat – in my humble opinion
. Thanks for stopping by sweet girl. Hope your week has been wonderful so far! – P.S. How are your yoga classes going?
Chai and rooibos never do me wrong!
Yum! I love those too! Especially with milk