How to Make a Cup of Tea
How to Make a Cup of Tea Many people enjoy tea in the afternoon or throughout the day. If you are new to tea, the following steps will help you brew a cup of this refreshing beverage.
You will need: • • • • • • • • •
Kettle Water 1 tea bag or loose tea If using loose tea, 1 strainer 1 teacup or mug Spoon Milk Sugar (optional) Lemon slice (optional)
Preparation 1. Fill the kettle with water. For each cup of tea, use 8-10 ounces of water (around 1 cup), depending on the size of your mug. 2. Set the kettle on to boil. a. If your kettle is electric, simply plug it in, put the filled kettle on the heating element, and press the button. b. If you are using a stovetop kettle, put it on the burner and turn the burner on. 3. Remove the teabag from its packet or box and place it into the cup, with the string hanging over the edge if it has one. a. For loose tea, place a spoonful into the strainer. Do not overfill it, as the tea will expand while brewing. b. Put the strainer in or over the cup. 4. When the water has reached the boiling point, carefully pour it over the tea bag or strainer. An electric kettle will shut off automatically when the water boils. A stovetop kettle will not, though you should hear the bubbles breaking or a whistling sound from escaping steam, if the kettle has that feature. 5. Let the tea steep for no more than two minutes, to avoid bitterness.
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6. When the tea reaches the desired strength, remove the tea bag or strainer. Do not squeeze the bag; this will also make the tea taste bitter. 7. Add milk or any other garnish you prefer.
Presentation Depending on your taste, you can prepare your tea one of these ways: • • • •
With a splash of milk. With milk and 1 teaspoon or lump of sugar. A strong brew with milk and two sugars is builder’s tea, a British colloquialism for the beverage drunk by laborers on their breaks. With a slice of lemon.
If you are sharing with a friend, you might want to serve it on a tray and prepare a snack to go along with it. Cookies, scones, or toast with jam makes a fine accompaniment to a delicious cup of tea.
Picture Credit: Miya (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meissen-teacup_pinkrose01.jpg), „Meissen-teacup pinkrose01“, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
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You will need: • • • • • • • • •
Kettle Water 1 tea bag or loose tea If using loose tea, 1 strainer 1 teacup or mug Spoon Milk Sugar (optional) Lemon slice (optional)
Preparation 1. Fill the kettle with water. For each cup of tea, use 8-10 ounces of water (around 1 cup), depending on the size of your mug. 2. Set the kettle on to boil. a. If your kettle is electric, simply plug it in, put the filled kettle on the heating element, and press the button. b. If you are using a stovetop kettle, put it on the burner and turn the burner on. 3. Remove the teabag from its packet or box and place it into the cup, with the string hanging over the edge if it has one. a. For loose tea, place a spoonful into the strainer. Do not overfill it, as the tea will expand while brewing. b. Put the strainer in or over the cup. 4. When the water has reached the boiling point, carefully pour it over the tea bag or strainer. An electric kettle will shut off automatically when the water boils. A stovetop kettle will not, though you should hear the bubbles breaking or a whistling sound from escaping steam, if the kettle has that feature. 5. Let the tea steep for no more than two minutes, to avoid bitterness.
pg. 1
6. When the tea reaches the desired strength, remove the tea bag or strainer. Do not squeeze the bag; this will also make the tea taste bitter. 7. Add milk or any other garnish you prefer.
Presentation Depending on your taste, you can prepare your tea one of these ways: • • • •
With a splash of milk. With milk and 1 teaspoon or lump of sugar. A strong brew with milk and two sugars is builder’s tea, a British colloquialism for the beverage drunk by laborers on their breaks. With a slice of lemon.
If you are sharing with a friend, you might want to serve it on a tray and prepare a snack to go along with it. Cookies, scones, or toast with jam makes a fine accompaniment to a delicious cup of tea.
Picture Credit: Miya (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meissen-teacup_pinkrose01.jpg), „Meissen-teacup pinkrose01“, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
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