HOW TO MAKE A GOOD CUP OF TEA
01
USE FRESHLY BOILED WATER
Not reheated or reboiled. Water quality is important - use spring water or rainwater if possible.
02
WARM THE POT
Using steam or by rinsing with hot water.
03
MEASURE
The tea or infusion carefully into the pot, usually one teaspoon per cup (with green teas, less).
04
POURING
Pour the boiling water over the tea or infusion. Stirring the pot is optional - stirring gives a stronger liquor and flavour.
05
BREWING
Brew for the recommended time (refer to the table), before pouring. Do not let the tea 'stew' as this releases tannins and makes it bitter.
| TEA | TSP | TIME | STRENGTH | MILK | DRINK |
| Ceylon Pekoe / Flowery Pekoe | 1 | 4-5 | 3 | OPT | All Day |
| English & Irish Breakfast | 1 | 4-5 | 4 | OPT | AM |
| Earl Grey | 1 | 3-5 | 3 | NO | PM |
| Organic / Decaf Ceylon | 1 | 3-4 | 2 | OPT | All Day |
| Darjeeling / Assam | 1 | 3-5 | 3 | OPT | All Day |
| Traditional Afternoon | 1 | 4-5 | 3 | OPT | PM |
| Long Leaf Ceylons | 1 | 4-5 | 3 | OPT | All Day |
| Russian Caravan | 3/4 | 3-4 | 3 | NO | All Day |
| Lapsang Souchong / Oolong | 1/2 | 2-4 | 3 | NO | All Day |
| Green / Sencha / Jasmine | 1/2 | 2-4 | 2 | NO | All Day |
| Silver Needles / Golden Tips | 1 | 5-7 | 1 | NO | All Day |
| Flavoured Black | 1 | 4-5 | 3 | NO | All Day |
| Flavoured Green | 1-2 | 2-4 | 2 | NO | All Day |
| Herbal Infusions | 1 | 4-7 | 2 | NO | All Day |
| Rooibos | 1 | 4-7 | 2 | NO | All Day |
| Fruit Infusions | 1 | 5-8 | 2 | NO | All Day |
TSP = Teaspoon
TIME = Suggested brewing time in minutes
OPT = Optional
STRENGTH = 1 (Mild) -4 (Strong)
Please note this is a guide, which you can vary according to your requirements and taste.
BREW IN A POT
Brew in a pot, not a coffee plunger. Tea sinks and coffee floats. Plungers were made for coffee and usually retain traces of the coffee flavour. Use different teapots for green, black tea and herbal infusions.
USING TEABAGS
While using leaf tea is the best way to enjoy a good tea, contrary to popular belief, teabags do not necessarily give you an inferior cup of tea. It simply depends on the quality of tea in the teabag! Elmstock teabags are the best quality teabags available.