How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea

As a nation of tea lovers, how to make the perfect cup of tea is much debated. Is it tea bag in the cup or in the pot? Is it milk in first or milk in last? There are so many different ways to make a cup of tea and believe it or not, there is no right or wrong way. 

If you find yourself making someone a cup of tea, it's always good etiquette to ask them first "How do you take your tea?" And the polite way to answer it is "Any which way it comes!" Although this isn't always the response you'll get. 

Answers can vary from a wide range of options. Often heard are "builders tea please" or "plenty of milk please" or "just a splash please" or "2 heaped spoons please". If you're looking to perfect the art of a perfect cuppa, you could be on quite the journey. But luckily, Jin Designs has done some research to help with your tea making skills to save you some precious moments - so you can spend more time enjoying that cup of tea rather than making it. 

How to make the perfect cup of tea

1) Use fresh water - it's always best to run the tap a little to make sure the water is cold and fresh. 

2) Fill up the kettle only to the amount of one cup or two if you're making for a friend. Let's save energy having just wasted it in step 1) waiting for the water to turn cold and fresh. 

3) Add a tea bag to your mug. Choose a fine bone china mug for the best results. Fine bone china is proven to keep the tea hotter for longer. It's also lighter and more delicate to drink from. 

Interesting fact: To check if your mug is fine bone china, hold it up to the light and if you can see through it, as in you can see the light coming through, then it is fine bone china. 

4) Add freshly boiled water to your mug. Remember to boil the kettle just once. If you over boil it, it takes out the oxygen from the water. It's also clocking up your electricity bill and energy use. 

5) Let the tea brew - be patient and allow 3-5 minutes for the tea bag to seep into the water. 

6) Take tea bag out. If you like your tea extra strong, give the bag a bit of a squeeze. 

7) Add a splash of milk as required. Try to avoid the sugar as you'll lose the flavour of the tea and consume those unnecessary calories.

Interesting fact: Did you know that the tradition to put milk in first before the tea and boiling water comes from the old days when mugs were known to shatter when boiling water was poured in. And only the expensive china wouldn't break. So there were strong class connotations with pouring the milk in first. Those less well off would do this to cool the mugs before the boiling water went in. 

8) Put your feet up, sip slowly and enjoy the moment. Enjoy with a biscuit or slice of cake. And add in those calories you just avoided in step 7).

And don't forget, shop Jin Designs fine bone china mugs for your next perfect cuppa.