I had a semi recurring conflict of opinion on how to make the best cup of 'teabag made tea' today... if there is such a thing. I'm talking about the teabag in the mug and add the water thing... ie no teapots involved... got that? Good.
Now I know how to make the perfect cup of tea... but how do you make it? Discussion on the methods would be great, don't be shy!
How do you make teabag tea (in a mug/cup)?
I am of the opinion that to brew a proper cup of tea, the water must be boiling. If you add milk before the water, then it won't be boiling, and hence won't taste like tea. Additionally, I take the teabag out before adding the milk, although not for a taste reason... removing the teabag causes the water level to go down sufficiently to add milk without spillage.
This is the opposite of my view with coffee, where it is important that the water is not boiling when it touches the coffee.
Ideally, you should use a teapot for your tea, of course. This has a tendancy to annoy housemates for no apparent reason.
Owen
Posted by: Owen on June 23, 2004 8:11 PMCoffee (instant) is my next poll.
Posted by: Ed on June 23, 2004 8:19 PMCan i have a "don't do tea" option ;o)
My girlfriend always adds the milk first cos she thinks it's nicer. It's never as strong when you do milk first, so I always do teabag, water, milk.
Posted by: Andyk on June 24, 2004 4:39 PMThe water not boiling for coffee only applies with instant, which is horrible.
Posted by: JB on June 26, 2004 2:49 AMJB I must disagree.
When making 'proper' coffee, i.e. ground coffee in a press, the water should be allowed to boil then go of the boil before hitting the coffee. Else, some of the flavour will be removed.
Starbucks back me up.
Posted by: Matt on June 26, 2004 10:29 PMWell it appears that most people know how to correctly make a cup of tea :-) This is good news to hear!
Black Assam tea - mmmm.. nice!
Posted by: JJ on July 3, 2004 12:51 PM