When you’re in need of a bit of comfort or familiarity, making a cup of tea is always a good choice. There’s not many problems that can’t be made better with a good cuppa, and there are so many out there to choose from, many of which have some pretty impressive health benefits.
From peppermint and green tea to matcha and oolong, there’s a tea out there for everyone, and preparing a brew is a great way to break up the working day. However, if you’re pouring the boiling water into the cups straight from the kettle, then you could be ruining the taste of your cuppa. That’s according to Stuart Hazeldine from Char Teas, who has issued a warning about tea-making habits in the UK.
He said: People often think all tea is the same, but how you brew it can completely change your experience.
“The right water temperature, steeping time, and even your choice between loose leaf and bags all matter. With a few tweaks, your cup can go from average to exceptional.”
Big mistake you’re making with tea
Making tea is pretty straightforward, but there are still ways in which you can go wrong. One of these is pouring water on to the teabag when it’s just been boiled seconds ago in the kettle.
Boiling water may seem like a one-size-fits-all fix, but it’s a common brewing mistake.
Stuart said: “Green and white teas are delicate and need cooler water, about 70–80°C. Boiling water can scald the leaves, creating bitterness and wiping out the subtle flavour notes.”
If you’re a fan of a more luxury tea like darjeeling or oolong, letting the boiled water sit for a minute before pouring can make all the difference.
However, if you’ve simply forgotten about the kettle and need to re-boil, you should never use the leftover water in the kettle – even though we have all done this before.
Stuart explained: “Oversteeping is the fastest way to ruin a good brew. Each tea has an ideal time, green teas around two to three minutes, black teas three to fvie minutes. After that, you’re just extracting harsh tannins.”
Setting a quick timer on your phone will ensure the perfect balance of flavour and health benefits in your cup.