The million-dollar question and the source of endless debates. We all think we know how to make the perfect cuppa… but what if you're missing a few tricks from the playbook? Buckle up as we reveal our step-by-step guide to tea heaven that will leave you wanting more after every sip.
Use freshly drawn cold water
Start the process by turning on your tap and letting the water run for a few seconds (we do this because the cold tap may run hot water for a few moments). You want to make sure that you're using fresh cold water so treat it with care. Depending on where you live, you may also want to use a water filter if you don't trust the quality of your tap water.
Boil to the correct temperature
Once you've filled your kettle proceed to boil. Important Tip: never re-boil water already in the kettle, this will prevent your tea from fully unpacking the flavours! The scientific explanation is that re-boiling takes out all the oxygen and nitrogen from the water.
Next, make sure you're boiling to the correct temperature. This step is crucial to a delicious tasting cup of tea and very much depends on the type of tea that you are drinking. For traditional black teas, your sweet spot is between 90 ºC – 100 ºC. For green/exotic teas, you want to be going for 80 ºC – 85 ºC.
If you don't have a thermometer to measure the precise temperature, don't worry, there is an easy solution. For black teas, let the water rest for 1 minute before pouring. As for green/exotic teas, let the water cool for 4-5 minutes.
Brewing for long enough
All of us are sometimes guilty of doing this! We either pull that teabag out way too early or don't bother to read the instructions. Only 16% of people in the UK brew for the recommended amount of time. By not brewing long enough, we're preventing ourselves from experiencing the optimal taste our tea is capable of delivering.
So, how long should you be brewing? The answer depends on how strong you like your tea. At a minimum, we recommend 2-3 minutes. This will allow the tea to reach full flavour and delight your taste buds. For those that enjoy a stronger, more intense flavour, extend that brewing time to 5-6 minutes.
Milk in first, or last?
An age-old question on the appropriate protocol of this treasured ritual, that has been debated for generations. We are firmly in the milk last camp for a simple practical reason. By adding milk at the end, you're able to judge the strength of your tea.
Start by adding a little bit of milk and stir. If the colour of your brew is too dark, you can add a bit more to loosen the intensity of the tea. You wouldn't have this control if you went milk first.
And finally – picking which tea to drink
Last but by no means least, the most important element of a good cup of tea is the tea itself. It can sometimes feel overwhelming with so many brands and different blends to choose from.
At Camellios, we're proud to offer truly premium tea at affordable prices. All of our tea is sourced from leading tea farms across the world and hand-blended exclusively in the UK.
We offer a selection of traditional, classic blends but also exotic and unique tasting teas. Importantly, you can rest assured that you won’t be harming the environment. Our pyramid tea bags are biodegradable and come in recyclable, plastic-free packaging. Alternatively, you can opt for the equally delicious loose-leaf range. We promise that our tea will transform your tea-drinking experience.
