How to Prepare the Perfect Cup of Tea?

Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world. It’s an aromatic beverage commonly prepared by pouring hot water over cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Herbal tea or herbal infusions refers to infusions of fruit or herbs made without the tea plant, such as steeps of rosehip, chamomile, or rooibos.

Chinese legends attribute the invention of tea to Shennong in 2737 B.C. During the Qin Dynasty (third century B.C.), tea was already a common drink and became widely popular during the Tang Dynasty, when it was spread to Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. By the 17th century, drinking tea was very fashionable in England.

10 Don’ts When Drinking Tea

First, the water is best when it’s freshly filtered, and it should not be re-boiled because this diminishes the oxygen content; it should also be below boiling. This is because the amino acids,which produce the tea’s flavor, dissolve at lower temperatures.

Tea made with water at 100°C will be more astringent and less sweet.

In the infographic bellow, you can learn the brewing times for each type of tea. Needless to say, never leave the tea bag inside your cup.