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Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world - and for good reason! It has a unique taste, it’s refreshing and some teas are even beneficial to your health.
However, there is a certain etiquette to drinking tea, and it begins with using a teapot correctly.
The problem is, some people don’t know how to use a teapot the right way.
It actually depends on who you are with and what sort of tea you’re going to drink, so we’re going to clear that up with this guide below.
Read on and learn more about how to use a teapot correctly and host the perfect tea party!
If you are going to drink tea with friends, the way in which you go about using a teapot will change, because of both time constraints and the etiquette is a little more relaxed.
Here’s what you should do when it comes to enjoying tea with friends.
A great cup of tea will start with what tea you will be using. Unlike drinking tea in a formal manner, there is no need to use loose tea leaves.
Instead, you can source tea in tea bags.
However, which tea do you choose? Well, drinking tea with friends does not require you spending a whole lot of money on the most expensive tea available.
You could just buy a very well-known brand of tea in tea bags.
Despite what some people may believe, not all teapots are the same.
Teapots generally come in all different shapes and sizes and can be made with different materials.
Typically, bone china is one of the best types of teapots to use as it is easier to warm and it is a traditional type of teapot to use.
You will primarily be looking at the size of the teapot here though.
If you are drinking tea with just one other friend, you can use a small teapot which usually can pour between two and three regular cups of tea.
However, if you are going to have a number of friends, you will need to get yourself a larger teapot.
Before you go any further, you will need to warm your teapot. You do this by pouring boiled water into the pot and allowing it to sit for a few minutes.
It’s a good idea to place a tea cozy on top of the teapot during this time.
For those of you who don’t know, a tea-cozy is an insulated cover for a teapot that keeps the liquid and the teapot warm for as long as possible.
After a few minutes, take the cozy off the teapot and pour the water out. You will then boil the water again and place your tea bags in the teapot.
Let’s assume you are drinking tea with 4 people. Place two tea bags into the teapot and then it is time to pour boiling water onto the tea bags.
Carefully pour the boiling water over the tea bags, enough to cover the bags and allow the liquid to reach the bottom of the spout.
Once this has happened, allow the tea to settle for a minute or so and then carefully stir the tea bags around the teapot.
Allow this to settle once again for a minute or two and then ask your guests if they would like milk and/or sugar.
Pour the tea into their cup and then offer the milk and sugar last if they have requested it.
It’s critical that these steps are followed in that order, so you do not affect the taste and consistency of the tea.
Drinking tea in a formal setting will be different than drinking tea with your friends.
You will be using loose tea leaves for example and there will be a different attitude toward the whole thing.
You will begin by heating water to exactly boiling point and no further in order to warm the teapot - if you do not get this right, the taste of the tea can change and even become bitter.
In fact, green tea can actually bruise if you use water over boiling point.
For every cup of water, you will want to use 1 teaspoon of tea. There are a few methods here you may wish to go for, so let’s look at those.
This is one of the most effective and chosen ways to strain herbal teas and you have to let it steep for around five minutes or more.
Other teas however will have a recommended steep time which usually says what the time is on the box. You have to be careful to stick to their specifications.
Some teapots will come equipped with an infuser that settles nicely to the pot. However, once again you need to pay attention to the steep time.
These are a quick way to enjoy rooibos and chamomiles but they can be a real pain to clean after you’ve used them.
Some tea leaves can change their taste and overall consistency if they steep for too long and some will get worse if they are still in contact with hot liquid.
This will increase tannin extraction and make the taste horrendous.
Take a moment to settle and savor the moment of your perfect tea.
Make sure you are following all of your social etiquette wherever you are and slowly sip your tea throughout the session.
Tea should be enjoyed but also respected by making it in the way that it was intended. As a result, you should ensure that you are using a teapot in the right way.
Enjoy your tea time!
Related: The 5 Best Coffee Scale Options For The Perfect Cup of Joe
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