- Thread starter
- #61
Tim,
Don't get too hung up on prep methods, containers, etc. Just enjoy it. I use a standard coffee mug to drink all my tea out of 99% of the time. As for brewing, the most important thing is to give the tea leaves room to unfurl. That is why tea balls and other small containers are a waste. the Chatsford tea pots do a great job. At work, I use a Republic of Tea strainer, which fits inside a mug and which is very large. Their teas are very overpriced, but this thing works nicely. You can often find them at Barnes & Noble bookstores.
For brewing, it depends a bit on the tea, and some experimentation is needed. Here is a rough guide to get you started:
Black/blended teas: boiling water, 4-5 minutes
Oolong: just short of boiling, 2-3 minutes
Green: hot water, 1.5-2 minutes
White: warm water, 1.5-2 minutes
Follow the directions on the tea for amounts. I'll use a heaping teaspoon or so per cup as a starting point. Real aficionado's measure by gram, but that is a bit persnickety for me.
Don't get too hung up on prep methods, containers, etc. Just enjoy it. I use a standard coffee mug to drink all my tea out of 99% of the time. As for brewing, the most important thing is to give the tea leaves room to unfurl. That is why tea balls and other small containers are a waste. the Chatsford tea pots do a great job. At work, I use a Republic of Tea strainer, which fits inside a mug and which is very large. Their teas are very overpriced, but this thing works nicely. You can often find them at Barnes & Noble bookstores.
For brewing, it depends a bit on the tea, and some experimentation is needed. Here is a rough guide to get you started:
Black/blended teas: boiling water, 4-5 minutes
Oolong: just short of boiling, 2-3 minutes
Green: hot water, 1.5-2 minutes
White: warm water, 1.5-2 minutes
Follow the directions on the tea for amounts. I'll use a heaping teaspoon or so per cup as a starting point. Real aficionado's measure by gram, but that is a bit persnickety for me.