JONATHON’S TIPS FOR MAKING A PERFECT CUP OF TEA

A good quality loose leaf or bagged tea is used. Tea will absorb moisture as well as kitchen odours. To keep it fresh and avoid spoiling the flavour, tea should be kept in an airtight container. One tea bag or 1 rounded teaspoon of loose tea is used for each cup (12fl oz) served. Freshly drawn boiled water can be poured on black tea, but for green tea the temperature should be approximately 80°C. This avoids the bitterness that can be experienced when using boiled water with this type of tea. To draw the best flavour out of the tea, the water must contain oxygen. This will be reduced if the water is boiled more than once. The tea should be allowed to brew before pouring. Three to five minutes is the recommended time for most black teas. Lastly, the milk is added.