How to Brew Perfect Tea

The Perfect Pot of Tea

(So many people ask me for this recipe, I have decided to post it on the blog so it will be handy whenever anyone needs it.)

Fill the kettle with COLD TAP water. Cold water has more oxygen and will create a livelier pot of tea. Put the kettle on to boil.

Fill the teapot with warm tap water. Allow the water to warm the teapot for a few minutes. Then pour out the water. A warm teapot helps keep the water hot so the tea will brew properly.

Use High quality loose leaf tea like the tea available at Shady Gables. Use one level teaspoon of tea leaves per cup of boiling water. (Not a measuring spoon, but a teaspoon that you use for table service.) Place the tea leaves in a tea filter and place the filter into the teapot.

For Black tea; When the water in the kettle comes to a boil, pour the boiling water into the teapot. If the water has not first come to a boil or if the temperature drops, even slightly before adding to the teapot, the brewed tea will be weak and tasteless.

For Green tea; Allow the water to cool a bit from the boiling stage before adding to the teapot because boiling water could actually "cook" the tender Green leaves.

Put the lid on the teapot. Cover with a tea cozy and let brew for 3 to 7 minutes. After 7 minutes, the tea will get bitter. At Shady Gables, we use 3 minutes for Darjeeling and delicate teas and 4 to 5 minutes for most other Black, Green and Oolong teas. White teas, up to 10 minutes.

Remove the tea filter with the tea leaves. Stir the brewed tea in the teapot. Serve and Enjoy! Replace the tea cozy over the teapot to keep the tea piping hot!

How to Decaffeinate Any Tea

The caffeine is released from the tea leaf in the first 30 seconds after the boiling water is added. Brew your tea for 30 seconds to one minute, then remove the tea leaves. Pour off that first brew of tea; replace the same tea leaves, add fresh boiling water and brew for 3 to 7 minutes. This will remove about 80% of the caffeine.

Tea for a Crowd

Bring 3 gallons of water to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat source. Add 8 tablespoons of tea leaves. Allow the tea to brew for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir. Strain the tea leaves and serve the tea hot! Or allow the tea to cool, pour over ice and serve as a fabulous Iced Tea!