Earl Gray is a variant of tea appreciated by aficionados all over the world. Extracted from the bergamot peel, it has slight citrus notes that give the drink a unique flavor. To make and drink a cup of Earl Gray, you will need to steep the tea leaves in hot water for 3-5 minutes. You can then add different ingredients, such as lemon or sugar, to intensify the taste of the tea. If you want to treat yourself to a different hot drink than usual, heat some milk and add it to the tea along with a few drops of vanilla extract to make an Earl Gray latte.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare Earl Gray
Step 1. Measure the tea on a scale if you are using loose leaves
If you have tea bags, you can skip this step. Basically, use 6g of loose tea for each cup (240ml) of water. Do you prefer the drink to be stronger? Use larger quantities of loose tea.
- If you use bagged tea and want it to have a stronger taste, infuse 2 sachets instead of 1.
- If you use loose leaves, you can put them in an empty tea bag or infuser to avoid having to strain the drink.
Step 2. Fill a saucepan or kettle with cold water
To make tea, always use cold, clean water. Avoid lukewarm / hot tap water or water that has been previously heated and allowed to cool.
- Hot tap water contains minerals from the pipes that could alter the taste of the tea.
- Use a glass or stainless steel pot or kettle so that no impurities remain in the tea.
Step 3. Bring the water to a boil and let it cool for 1 to 2 minutes
Place the pot or kettle on the stove and set the flame to high. Leave the water on the stove for 4-10 minutes or until it has started to boil. Then, turn off the gas and let the boiling water rest for 1-2 minutes, so that it cools down a little and the temperature is slightly below boiling point.
For the infusion of Earl Gray it is preferable that the water has a temperature of 100 ° C or slightly below the boiling point. You can use a thermometer to make sure it has reached the exact temperature
Step 4. Heat the cup or teapot before steeping the tea
Pour the boiling water into the container where you are going to brew the tea. After pouring it, rotate it several times before emptying it.
Heating the container you are going to infuse the tea into will ensure that the temperature remains constant throughout the process. This should allow you to make a better quality cup of tea
Step 5. Put the tea in the teapot or cup
If you are using sachets, take them out of the paper wrapping before putting them in the bowl. If you use loose leaves, you can place them in an empty bag or infuser, but you can also measure them and place them directly at the bottom of the teapot or cup.
If you put the loose leaves in the cup or teapot, you will need to strain the tea before drinking it
Step 6. Leave the tea to steep for 3-5 minutes
Pour the boiling water over the tea. As you steep the tea, the water should begin to turn brown. Leave the tea in the cup so that its flavor is infused into the boiling water. Extending the duration of the infusion will make the tea stronger.
Do not fill the cup or teapot completely to prevent the tea from overflowing
Step 7. Remove the bag or strain the tea if using loose leaves
If you use a sachet, throw it in the trash. If using loose leaves, drain the tea through a colander. Let it cool slightly before drinking to avoid burning your mouth. Sip hot tea or let it cool and add ice cubes to make iced tea.
Part 2 of 3: Add more Ingredients
Step 1. Drink bitter tea to get to know its purest taste
Instead of adding other ingredients for the purpose of changing the flavor, drink it alone. Drinking bitter tea will allow you to savor the most intense aromatic notes of the leaves.
Step 2. Add sugar to sweeten the tea
Pour 2 to 12 g of sugar into the drink and stir it with a spoon to dissolve the grains. Sugar slightly reduces the sour notes of Earl Gray and sweetens it.
Add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter
Step 3. Sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice into the tea to add citrus notes
Cut a lemon into quarters and squeeze one into the tea. Use larger amounts of juice to intensify the citrus notes of the drink.
Many people add both lemon and sugar to Earl Gray
Step 4. Add milk or cream to make it creamier
Add a few drops of milk or cream after leaving the tea to infuse and mix with a teaspoon. These ingredients will enrich the taste and make it creamier; they will also attenuate the floral and citrus notes of the tea.
Part 3 of 3: Making an Earl Gray Latte
Step 1. Heat 120ml of milk in a saucepan for 5 minutes
Pour 120 ml of milk into a saucepan and put it on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir the milk as it heats, making sure it doesn't start to boil or burn. It will be ready once it becomes hot and frothy.
Use coconut or almond milk to make the tea sweeter and creamier
Step 2. Pour the warm milk into a cup of ready-made Earl Gray
Once the milk has been heated, pour it into a cup of Earl Gray that you have left to infuse for 3-5 minutes. Then, stir the tea with a teaspoon, so that the milk is well incorporated into it.
Pour the milk into the water only after leaving the tea to infuse and not before, as milk often tends to dampen the taste of the tea
Step 3. Add half a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the tea and stir
The tea will thus acquire vanilla notes, which will enhance the flavor of the milk. Taste the tea and add more vanilla extract if desired.
