Let's have Tea (part 2)

Yesterday I gave a little of the history of tea drinking here in the USA.

Today I want to talk about the simple pleasure of drinking tea and offer some suggestions as to how to get the best tasting cup of tea in your own home.

 Keep in mind that these are just suggestions and you may prefer to do things differently.

 I will talk about my three preferred ways to have my tea.
1) loose in the pot
2) loose  held captive in an infuser
3) tea bags.

 1) Loose tea in the pot.    Heat the pot first by filling it with hot tap water while the 'tea' water is boiling in the kettle.   Then measure out the amount of loose tea required for the amount of water you will be putting in your pot.   Next, pour the boiling water over the loose tea and let it steep for about 5-8 minutes (this length of time is purely dependent on your preferences.  Longer steeping will make stronger tea - to a point...then it begins to get rather astringent).   If you like very strong tea it's best to just use more tea rather than simply rely on increasing the steep time.       Then put a cozy around your pot and let it steep.

See my nice big mug there peeking from the left?

I know that it is generally believed that tea should be drunk from a dainty tea cup.   I have a few of them and love them  but prefer to drink my morning tea from a nice sturdy mug.   It stays  hot longer.  This keeps me from feeling rushed to drink.   Rushing is bad.  Almost as bad as lukewarm tea!

I also warm my mug with hot water before pouring the tea in.  Do be sure to pour out the warming water before pouring in the tea.

When pouring the teapot which has loose tea steeped inside, it's nice to have a strainer of some kind to keep from having to dodge the leaves while you're drinking.  Better yet:  get this kind of pot with the infuser basket.


2) Loose tea in an infuser.    This method requires that you add the tea leaves to the basket of the infuser.   This method also allows the tea to be steeped right in the cup.   I like this convenience.

I used to have one of these Ingenuitea infusers.  But I broke it.  *tears*   I would even put a cozy over it during the steeping process to retain the heat.   (sniff...I miss that little infuser)

I recently added this little tea duckie infuser to my tea supplies stash!

I always pre-warm my cup no matter which method I choose.

Here's my well-loved no-nonsense ugly infuser.   

 I like this method best when I don't have time for all that goes with cleaning up after making tea in the pot.    All that is required to clean this little doo-dad is to hold it open and tap the contents into my compost dish.

lastly is 3) Tea bags.    I am not a huge fan of bagged tea  but it is possible to find pretty good tasting bagged teas without spending big bucks.   Stash brand makes good bagged teas.   My favorite right now is Tazo.    I've enjoyed almost every Tazo flavor I've ever tried.   Right now I'm hooked on Berryblossom  White.    mmmmmm

In MY cup of tea I usually put a teaspoon of honey and a splash of half-n-half.   If I don't have half-n-half I used powdered milk  (which is also a good way to keep the tea warm longer).       I am too picky.  I know it.  If I have to have sugar in my tea, I survive.  Honey is definitely preferred, though.

Where to find loose teas?   I've had good success at my local health food store.

Online I've purchased great loose teas from;
Adagio
Arbor Teas
Cup of Indulgence  (which seems to no longer be available)
Harney & Sons

I generally prefer to buy organically grown tea.

 Do you have a favorite tea?

*Note:  These are my opinions and I am not being compensated in any way for offering them.