Tea is an infusion that is sipped around the world to warm up and relax. To start, choose the type of tea you want to drink: there are in fact several variations, each of them characterized by different benefits and tastes. Then, boil the water and pour it over the tea. Leave to infuse for a few minutes before serving. Milk and sugar can be added to enhance the flavor of strong flavored teas, while honey is perfect for mild flavored teas.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Tea
Step 1. Make green tea, which is known for its high content of antioxidants, substances that help fight cell degeneration
It can also speed up metabolism and reduce the risk of developing neurological disorders. However, it is rich in caffeine, which can cause agitation in case of excessive consumption.
Step 2. Make some black tea
Rich in antioxidant properties, it can relieve intestinal disorders and reduce the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, according to some researchers, it can substantially lower the risk of contracting breast cancer, especially among women of childbearing age. This tea is also high in caffeine.
Most English breakfast tea blends are black tea based
Step 3. Make a cup of white tea
Although less common than black or green, it is more effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. It also contains fluoride, which prevents the formation of cavities and strengthens the teeth.
Step 4. Sip a cup of oolong
Famous for its antioxidant properties, it can prevent cancer and arthritis. It can also speed up metabolism, promoting weight loss and regulating blood sugar. Some research has shown that it also helps to have healthy skin and fight the symptoms of eczema.
Step 5. Drink herbal tea, an intensely flavored preparation made from plants, fruit, seeds or roots rather than tea leaves
Contains fewer antioxidant properties than other types of infusions. Herbal teas are thought to contain many active ingredients that are good for the body (although little research has been done on this).
- Chamomile induces sleep;
- It seems that the echinacea herbal tea is effective for fighting colds;
- Hibiscus tea can lower blood pressure;
- Rooibos tea is said to have properties that help fight cancer.
Step 6. The tea is usually sold in cans containing loose leaves or in sachets
Choose the one you prefer. Some consumers believe that loose leaf tea tastes fresher than tea bags. Others prefer packaged tea instead, because it's easier to use and doesn't require an infuser.
An infuser is a small metal or plastic sphere that collects tea leaves in one place, so you can easily remove them
Part 2 of 3: Making the Tea
Step 1. Get everything you need
You will need a kettle or saucepan to make water, a teapot or cup and some tea. If you use the leaf one, you will also need an infuser, while if you use the sachet you will not need it.
- If you want to make more than one cup of tea, use a teapot. If you only make one drink, use a cup.
- The infuser can be found online or in tea shops.
Step 2. Boil the water
Fill a kettle or saucepan with water and let it heat over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes, bringing it to a boil. If the kettle is whistling, the water will be ready when it hisses, otherwise large bubbles will form on the surface of the liquid.
- You can also use an electric kettle. Follow the instructions in the manual to understand how to use it.
- Do not boil water in the microwave: it can overheat and explode, causing severe burns.
Step 3. If you are using loose sheets, find out how to make the tea
To start, carefully place them in the infuser. The instructions on the tea package indicate how much to use. Generally a teaspoon is enough for 250 ml of water. Then, attach the cap to the infuser and place it in the empty cup or teapot.
Each infuser has its own specific characteristics. Follow the instructions on the package to learn how to add the tea and how to secure the cap
Step 4. Other teas are sold in ready-to-use sachets rather than loose leaves
To make tea this way, calculate one sachet for every 250ml of water. To get started, carefully open the package, then place it in the empty cup or teapot.
- For example, if your teapot has a capacity of 500ml, you will need 2 tea bags.
- Place the string and paper label on the edge of the cup or teapot: this will make the sachet easy to remove once the brew is complete.
Step 5. Infuse the tea into boiling water
Once it comes to a boil, carefully pour it into the cup or teapot (in this case, fill it completely and close it with the lid). Infuse the tea according to the instructions on the package. For instance:
- The infusion of green tea lasts 2-3 minutes;
- Infusion of black tea 3-5 minutes;
- Infusion of white tea 2-3 minutes;
- The infusion of oolong tea 2-4 minutes;
- Infusion of herbal teas 6-7 minutes.
Step 6. Serve the tea
When the infusion is complete, remove the sachet or the infuser (the first should be thrown away, the second washed for future use) and serve the tea. If you have guests, warn them by reminding them that the tea is hot.
Part 3 of 3: Enjoying the Tea
Step 1. Many people like to serve tea with milk and sugar, ingredients that can turn a full-bodied, bitter tea into a sweet, creamy drink
Sugar can be used with any type of tea to sweeten it. Instead, only oolong and black tea go well with milk.
Sugar can be substituted for any type of sweetener, including honey, molasses, maple syrup, and brown rice syrup
Step 2. Pour the tea over the ice
Iced tea is a delicious and refreshing drink, perfect in the summer. To start, brew a cup or teapot and steep the tea. Remove the sachets or the infuser and let it cool to room temperature. Then, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the tea carefully.
- Add the sweetener before pouring the tea over ice. Sweeteners like sugar and honey are more easily incorporated into hot drinks than cold ones.
- Avoid pouring hot tea into a glass filled with ice. The difference in temperature can crack the glass.
Step 3. Serve tea at a social event
In the past, members of high society sipped it on these occasions. You can offer it as a snack or dinner, or organize a meeting focused on tea. For instance:
- Arrange for five o'clock tea, a British tradition of offering tea to a group of friends with light snacks. Guests sit around the teapot, serving themselves tea and chatting.
- You can also serve a steaming teapot of tea, a milk pot, and sugar at the end of a dinner with friends. It is a perfect drink to relax after a delicious dinner.
