Here, we share our thoughts on our favorite reasonably priced teas. They have also been the favorites of our customers, and we hope they will become your favorites as well.

First, only your taste buds can judge how the perfect cup of tea is brewed. But we do have some suggestions and recommendations to help you determine what may be best for you.

Water Quality - Because water is the primary ingredient, be sure it tastes good to you. You should consider using bottled water if possible.  City water can have chlorine and other minerals added.  The purier the water, the better your tea will taste.

Heating Water - Use only freshly drawn, cool, clear water. Bring it to just before a boil in a covered kettle and pour immediately into the teapot or cups. Do not allow the water to boil.  Boiling can burn the tea leaves leaving a bitter taste.

Boiling - Bringing the water to just before boil will generally produce a milder cup, since the tannin will be stimulated more by hotter water. For green and white teas, allow the water to cool for about 30 seconds before pouring on leaves.

Water & Oxygen - You should not let hot water stand for any length of time before pouring it, as it will lose oxygen, resulting in a flat cup of tea.

Preheating - If you like especially hot tea, it is best to heat the teapot or cups by rinsing some hot water in them just before tea is ready to serve.

How Much Tea - Add approximately one teaspoon per cup for your first experiment. Different size leaves will require different measures of tea. Black and green tea leaves can be reused for 1 or 2 subsequent brewings.

Steeping - Let black teas stand for 3-5 minutes, oolongs for 3-10 minutes, green for 1-2 minutes, white for 1-2 minutes, chai for 3-5 minutes, and herbals for 5-10 minutes, according to taste. We don't recommend letting tea leaves remain in the cup or teapot longer, as the tea will start to become bitter. And if you don't let it steep for the minimum time, it won't give you a rich taste, since the tannin needs some time to be released from the leaves.

Strong or Light - If you want the tea to be stronger, add more tea leaves. If you want it to taste lighter, add less. This, rather than changing the steeping time, will produce a much tastier cup.

Lemon or Milk - Tea may be served with lemon or milk. Using cream will deaden the taste.

Herbals - These teas steep differently. Some require boiling over a period of time. Others may require just some hot water added for a brief period of time.

Iced Tea - Use twice as many tea leaves, since the addition of ice cubes to the hot brew will dilute the taste considerably.

How Much to Buy - If stored properly, tea will last up to six months.

How to Store Tea - Use an airtight container, preferably dark. Keep it at room temperature, away from sources of heat and light.

Linda Butler
26 January 2009

Source: http://www.hadleystea.com

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