Tip of the week: How to make a proper cup of tea

Use loose tea. Though most tea comes in bags, that’s often a sign of low quality, “since they can hold broken leaves or leaf dust.” Buy tea loose and tea bags separately.

Brew it right. There is a correct way to heat the water. For black tea, use boiling water. But for “more delicate green and white tea,” let the water cool for a few minutes. “Always add the water to the leaves instead of the reverse.”

Be color-conscious. Bone china is not necessary—you can serve it in anything whose inside is white enough to “discern from the color of the tea that it has been properly steeped.”

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Recycle and store. Good tea can, and should, be re-brewed. “The flavor evolves with each pass.” Tea stored in an airtight container can be used for up to a year. Darker teas fare better than white and green ones.

Source: Portfolio.com