Tea Lovers, Are You Guilty Of These 7 Common Mistakes?
If you take your tea bag out of your cup before drinking, you're doing it right!
Published for Lipton, 21 Mar 2018, 06:16 PM
Whether you're just waking up or winding down after work, you know there's nothing you'd like better than a really good cup of tea!
Psst! Did you know picking specific teas to enjoy at different times of the day makes all the difference?
But before that, let's talk about some common faux pas most of us have probably been guilty of when it comes to making a good cup of tea. Find out which common tea-making mistakes to avoid once and for all:
1. Thinking all teas are basically the same
Nuuuuu! Although all teas originate from the very same plant, the different ways they're processed give each type a truly unique characteristic. Out of all the different types, black teas and infusions are some of the most popular ones.
Black teas like English Breakfast are generally pretty strong, making them great for energising. Infusions like Chamomile and Peppermint are caffeine-free, making them a great option for winding down.
2. Adding the milk first before the tea
Milk goes best with strong teas like English Breakfast. If you like taking your tea with milk, add it in after the tea has been steeped and you've removed the tea bag from your cup. Two reasons why you'll want to avoid adding milk first:
- It brings the water temperature down
- The fat from the milk can clog up the leaves in the bag
Add these two things together and you get a poorly-brewed tea.
3. Steeping tea for too short or too long of a time
If you're drinking classic black teas like English Breakfast or Earl Grey, steep your tea for two to three minutes. If you're doing infusions like Chamomile or Peppermint, however, up the steeping time a little to get that full-bodied taste. Four to five minutes should do the trick. ;)
4. Leaving the teapot lid on when you're brewing tea
If you're using a teapot to make your drink, you'll wanna make sure the lid is lifted when you're steeping your tea. When you do this, you're allowing for more oxygen to get all up in the pot and more oxygen = more awesome-tasting tea!
5. Playing around with the tea bag
We know it feels so geram to see the soaked up tea bag in your cup. You just wanna squeeze it and press down on it with your spoon and smoosh it against the cup. But don't, okay? You'll release more tannins that way, which will make your tea really bitter.
6. Leaving the tea bag in your cup when drinking
You'll end up with a really dark and bitter brew if you do! Also, if you've ever had a moist tea bag hit your nose as you're finishing the last drops of your tea, removing the tea bag before you start drinking is the easiest way to avoid that. ;)
7. Not picking the best teas to go with different moments of the day
Sometimes you gotta be a little extra in life, and picking certain types of tea to be enjoyed at specific times of the day can make all the difference! Whether you're looking for that spark to get energised or that soothing touch to help you unwind, having the right type of tea in hand will work wonders. ;)
Now go forth and enjoy your favourite moments with just the right cuppa!
This article was sponsored by Lipton Tea.
