How to Make an Amazing Cup of Loose Leaf Tea
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a well-made cup of tea and a regular one?
Well, today we are going to give you all the variables that can turn a regular cup of tea into an amazing cup of tea.
Once you know what to do and what not to do, it will be the moment in which you can control and modify the flavors that the tea offers you at your convenience!
Important Factors When Preparing a Loose Leaf Tea
Factors that affect the taste of your tea!
We tend to think that the taste of our tea is only related to the quality of our tea, but this is not the case.
There are several factors to take into account when we prepare our cup of tea. These factors can be the temperature of the water, the quality of the water, or the water/tea ratio, among others.
Each thing we do during the preparation of our cup of tea will influence its quality and flavor.
Below, we will show you the factors to take into account when preparing our cup of tea.
Water Quality
The water tastes like water!
Although it is a bit strange to think about it, water has a particular taste, although we tend to think that water has a “neutral taste” because it is transparent, a thought that is not correct.
The water that comes out of your faucet may have a slight metallic taste; this happens because the tube through which the water is transported to get to the tea is mainly made of metal.
In some countries, the water can taste cleansing or even sweet; it all depends on the circumstances in your area.
For consistent results, we recommend that you always use the same source of water, either bottled or tap (preferably bottled).
Water Temperature
The temperature influences the preparation of your tea.
Have you ever tried brewing tea in cold water? When we try to prepare a tea with cold water, we fail to properly infuse the flavor and properties of the tea with the water. The recommended water temperature to prepare tea is between 70 and 95 degrees Celsius.
If you don’t have a thermometer, this step can be a bit complex, but we have a solution for you.
The water boils at 100 degrees Celsius; when this happens, allow 2-3 minutes to pass before pouring the water into your cup of tea. By doing this, you make sure you get all the properties and flavors of your tea without damaging it in the process.
Measure Tea/Water Proportion
Nobody likes to drink tasteless tea.
You can have the best quality tea possible, but if you don’t use enough, the result will be a tea without much flavor or color.
Most of the packages in your tea box tell you how much is the recommended amount for a cup of tea.
We always recommend that you follow the manufacturer’s advice, but the most important thing is that you analyze and prepare the tea in the way that you like best.
Infusion Time
Don’t go too far; don’t fall short!
Steeping time will allow your tea to release more flavor or turn bitter, all because of the tannins. Tannins affect the intensity of the flavor and color of your tea. These are constantly being released, so if you leave some types of tea in the water for too long, they may taste bitter in your mouth.
The recommended infusion time is 2 to 5 minutes; during this time, your tea will have enough time to release all its flavors and colors.
Tea Leaf Freshness
The fresher, the better!
The more time passes, the greater the deterioration.
That phrase can be applied to various foods and even to the very clothes we wear.
Going to the field to collect a product is not the same as going to the supermarket to buy it. The supermarket product has gone through several industrial processes, not counting all the time it has been in the display case.
If you want the best quality, then check the expiration date of the tea you buy. If you have the option to buy fresh tea, don’t hesitate and do it.
Residue in your Teapot or Cup
Check before serving!
If you have a favorite cup or have used the same teapot for a long time, then check it well before use.
The taste of your tea may be affected by residue in your teapot or cup. The most common is that your kettle or teapot is covered in scale, which could affect the taste of your water when boiling it.
The same can happen with your cup of tea. If you recently drank another type of liquid in it, it may have been poorly washed, or even a small amount of liquid from the previous brew can greatly affect the taste of your tea.
Recommendations
As we can see, there are several factors to consider when preparing your tea.
As a summary, we will list all the factors that can affect your loose leaf tea in some way:
tea leaf freshness
- Quality of the water you occupy
- infusion time
- Water-tea ratio
- Water temperature
- Residue in your teapot or cup
If you want complete information, we recommend you go up and read each factor in detail.
Conclusion
We hope we have helped you!
Now that you know what variables to consider in making a good cup of tea, we hope that you can fully enjoy every sip of your tea.
We remind you, above all, to follow your preferences and intuition.
We also remind you that not all tea leaves are the same, so some need more water temperature and others less. The same will happen with the infusion time.
With nothing more to say, we wish you an excellent day!
F.A.Q.
Can you put loose leaf tea directly on water?
Yes, you can put the loose leaf directly into the water.
How long should you brew loose leaf tea?
You should brew your loose leaf tea between 2 and 5 minutes.
Does boiling water damage tea?
Yes, you can damage your tea leaves if the water is boiling.
Does loose leaf taste better than tea bags?
Most of the time, loose leaf tea tastes better than tea bags.
