ThirstyforKnowledge

An encyclopedia of drinks — mixed, poured, brewed and whisked

No. 109 Tea

Loose-leaf tea in a teapot

Warm the pot, one teaspoon per person and one for the pot, brew 4–5 minutes and strain.

An 18th-century English porcelain tea set with teapot and cups
18th-century English tea set, Victoria and Albert Museum Photo: Wikipedia Loves Art participant "Opal_Art_Seekers_4", CC BY 2.5

Recipe card

ml oz

Makes 2 servings · about 7 min to make

Ingredients

Ounces are US fluid ounces (29.57 ml), rounded.

Method

  1. Swirl a little boiling water around the empty pot to warm it, then pour it away (or use it to warm the cups).
  2. Add one teaspoon of loose tea per person and one for the pot.
  3. Pour in the hot water and stir a little.
  4. Leave it to brew for 4–5 minutes.
  5. Pour through a fine tea strainer into cups and add milk or anything else you like.
Glass
Teapot and cups
Technique
Brewed
Difficulty
Easy

Printable recipe card

About the Loose-leaf tea in a teapot

A teapot gives the leaves room to move. Warm the pot first so the water stays hot, and use a fine strainer: small-leaf tea such as Yorkshire Tea's loose leaf will slip through a coarse one.

The UK Tea & Infusions Association gives 90–98°C as the water temperature for black tea, and suggests 1 rounded teaspoon of loose tea for each cup.

Tags: black tea teapot loose leaf

Go deeper

  • How to make a proper cup of tea Fresh water, the right temperature, enough time and milk at the right moment: tea-making advice from Yorkshire Tea and the UK Tea & Infusions Association.

Sources

  1. Yorkshire Tea — How to make a proper brew
  2. Yorkshire Tea — How to make loose leaf tea
  3. UK Tea & Infusions Association — The perfect brew

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