Is there anything more quintessentially British than a steaming cup of tea? Whether you need a pick-me-up or something to help you relax, tea is just the thing. Keep reading to learn how to brew the perfect “cuppa” tea.
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The Perfect “Cuppa” Tea
I have no idea how many cups of tea I’ve had in my lifetime but since it all began as a toddler, I’m sure it’s been many, many thousands. Nothing makes me feel quite as cosy (British spelling intentional!) and “at home” as a perfect cup of tea.
If you are new to tea drinking or just need a bit of review, here is how to make that perfect “cuppa”.
Components
Water:
Start with good quality fresh water for the best tea. Depending on your water supply this might be freshly drawn, cold (that’s important) tap water, filtered water or bottled spring or filtered water. Don’t use distilled.
Boiling Method:
You might think boiling water is all the same but I’m convinced it’s not. Please don’t use the microwave to boil your water for tea. There is a danger of superheated water which can be dangerous but honestly, it tastes different.
I’m writing this post in a hotel room and have had to resort to microwaved water for my tea (I should have remembered to bring my kettle). Even though I’m using bottled water and brought a mug from home, it still tastes different.
You can boil the water in a stovetop kettle or a small saucepan but if you plan to drink tea regularly, do yourself a favor and buy an electric kettle. The water boils quickly and since it turns itself off you don’t need to worry about a stovetop kettle boiling itself dry. I ruined a really darling copper tea kettle early in my marriage that way.
Here is the kettle I currently have. Kettles are available in a wide range of prices.
Tea:
First of all, should you use loose leaf or tea bags? No one would deny that high quality, loose leaf tea makes the very best cup. Loose leaf is made from whole tea leaves and has a deeper, more nuanced flavor. Tea bags or sachets are often made of smaller particles of tea and sometimes of lower quality. If you want the very best tea experience, loose leaf is the way to go.
However, the average Brit these days uses tea bags and so do I most of the time. If you buy a decent brand and brew it properly, you can still have a delicious cup of tea.
Sometime during the first year or two of the pandemic I got the idea to do a virtual tea tasting with my daughter, Lisa (Retro Housewife Goes Green). I ordered several types of British black tea and a couple of pretty china cups and saucers. I dropped off a cup and saucer and some of each tea at my daughter’s house and then we did a taste testing together on Zoom.
We brewed our various teas and shared our thoughts with one another. I don’t recall all the teas we tried but the winner was:
But taste is a personal choice so I encourage you to try a few until you find your favorite.
Method:
- Bring fresh water to a full boil.
- Pour over tea bag in cup or mug, if you prefer. Put the tea bag in the cup first rather than dunking it in after the water is poured. I think that’s another part of the issue with microwaved water. For some reason, it’s better to pour the boiling water over the tea bag.
- Steep 3-5 minutes. Use a timer! Different teas benefit from different steeping times, as well as personal preference.
- Remove the tea bag. Purists will tell you not to squeeze the bag but I think most of us do. I recommend doing it very gently, just enough that it isn’t dripping when you remove it.
- If you are using some type of sweetener and/or milk, add it now. I like a bit of honey or organic sugar, plus a splash of milk or half & half.
- Stir and enjoy!
Now, if you’d like to enjoy your tea in the most traditional manner, consider making it in a teapot using loose leaf tea. There is nothing more iconic than a genuine Brown Betty teapot and this is something I’ve had on my personal wishlist.
If using a teapot, the method is a bit different. Start by swishing out the teapot with boiling water to warm it up. Add the tea using one teaspoon of loose leaf tea per cup plus one extra spoonful. Pour freshly boiled water over the tea and put the lid on. Steep the desired length of time. Pour through a strainer into a cup then add milk and sugar if desired.
You can also use tea bags in a pot. In that case, use one per cup unless you want it stronger in which case you can add an additional bag.
I love sipping tea from a china or porcelain cup and saucer. Here is a lovely one:
Royal Albert New Country Roses
I like my tea quite hot so I brew it in an insulated stainless steel container and then pour a little at a time into a cup. But I’m a bit extra like that.
Other favorite teas:
Bigelow Earl Grey – This is my go-to choice for my morning cup of tea.
Harney and Sons Earl Grey Supreme – More expensive than Bigelow but a lovely treat.
Bigelow “I Love Lemon” tea – I enjoy a cup of this one with a slice of lemon in the evenings. This is especially nice in the winter when we can all use a little extra vitamin C.
Yorkshire Tea – Toast and Jam – This one really does taste like the name. It makes a nice dessert.
Tea India Masala Chai – This is a new favorite for me. I’ll be sharing how I drink this one in a blog post soon.
Article comparing popular British teas:
I compared tea bags from PG Tips, Yorkshire Tea, Twinings and one tasted like dishwater
A fun video of a Brit making American sweet tea and his rather unfussy method of making a British “cuppa”:
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I used to be only a tea person and didn’t like coffee. Then about 15 years ago I worked in a print shop that strong coffee was the norm and for, some reason, I switched to coffee. I still have some lovely teacups and saucers but keep them in the curio these days with my Grandma’s vintage yellow Genie Lamp teapot. My current set up isn’t easy to enjoy a true cup of tea in a pretty cup and saucer but I do still drink tea a lot more often again now. I recently bought a very large tin of Assam loose leaf tea from Travel by Taste here in OKC (If you’re ever in the mood for really good Persian/Mediterranean food you must try it next time you’re here) and I’ve been really loving it. My other favorites are Twining Earl Grey and Harney & Sons Paris blend and a locally made blend from Inspirations Tea Room in Edmond called Caramel Creme Brulee. So good.
Thank you for the recommendations! I like the Paris tea, too.
I drank my first cup of coffee in nursing school when I really needed something during clinicals and that was all that was available. I have come to enjoy it but tea will always be my first choice. Tea and coffee both have some health benefits but different ones. I generally have a cup of coffee after lunch each day in order to get its benefits. The rest of the time I tend to choose tea.