Use loose leaf tea
If all you add to the tea is water, always opt for loose leaf tea. It will be much richer in flavor.
Look at the tea leaves to see how many are whole. The highest quality loose-leaf teas are those where you can see whole tea leaves – not broken or crushed.
As a general rule, loose leaf tea is of better quality than tea bags, however it is important to choose it carefully! A tea bag is still a very good choice.
Feel free to use tea bags when preparing tea lattes or in recipes, they are more than sufficient.
Don't always use boiling water
Have you ever had really bitter green tea? It's probably because it was brewed with water that was too hot. Not all teas should be prepared with boiling water, especially green tea. To learn more, read our article on water temperatures for different types of tea.
Water that is too hot can alter the taste of tea, making it too bitter and strong. Always take the time to check the correct water temperature for your tea.
Get a kettle with a temperature setting
Speaking of water temperature, we highly recommend getting an electric kettle with a temperature control to ensure the water is heated perfectly. This is an essential accessory for tea lovers!
Do not use a tea ball that is too small
As the loose leaf tea steeps in hot water, the tea leaves begin to unfurl.
To achieve the perfect flavor, the leaves need enough room to unfurl. Don't put them in a tea ball or a tea infuser that's too small. The larger the infuser, the better—give your tea leaves room to unfurl.
Use filtered water
We say it again and again: the best water makes the best tea. Water quality plays a significant role in the taste of your tea. Use filtered water for making tea whenever possible.
Brew your iced tea in cold water for the best iced tea
We recently wrote an article on this topic; the best iced tea is brewed in cold water. Read our article to find out the secret!
Warm the teapot
Preheating the teapot is something every tea professional does before preparing tea.
Boil some extra water, pour it into the teapot and then discard it.
This step, unknown to most of us, keeps the teapot nice and warm so that there is not a large difference in water temperature while the tea is brewing.
Cover the teapot while the water is steeping.
Cover the teapot while the tea is brewing; this helps to maintain a stable temperature.
If you are preparing tea in a cup with an infuser, make sure to put something on top of the cup so that the water can stay hot while the tea steeps.
