With a little bit of know-how, you can brew a superb cuppa every time. Give all tea a quick rinse. Pour hot water over the leaves, after 5-10 seconds pour off the liquid, then prepare. Re-steep all teas and botanicals to taste in one sitting.
Heat water until just before boiling. Steep 30 seconds to 2 minutes
Heat water until just before boiling. Steep 1-3 minutes
Heat water until just boiling. Steep 3-5 minutes
*Traditionally, Oolong leaves are used 3 times
Heat water until boiling. Steep 3-5 minutes
Heat water until just boiling. Steep 30 seconds to 2 minutes for the first pour then re-steep as many times to taste.
Heat water until boiling. Steep 5 minutes
Line up six-ounce cups, with the tea leaves and identifying cards behind each cup.
Measure 2.5 grams of tea into the bottom of each cup.
Bring water to a full boil or to the recommended temperature, then pour it over the leaves.
Steep the tea for the recommended time. Let the cup cool slightly. Lift the wet or "infused" leaves up from the bottom of the cup and examine. Repeat this for each tea you are tasting, dipping your spoon in a cup of clean water in-between sampling.
Bring a tablespoon of liquid to your mouth and slurp it with a loud noise.
Spit the tea into your spittoon or sink and record your impressions.
SerendipiTea makes great Iced Tea! Making Iced Tea is easy peasy. Simply prep a double strength batch of tea, i.e. a concentrate. Use 1/2 the amount of water normally used to make hot tea & steep for the recommended amount of time in boiled water. Discard leaves, cool to room temp, then keep chilled in the refrigerator (do not add ice). Pour over a generous glass of ice when ready to drink or serve.
Cold Brew Method: To make cold brew iced tea, infuse ½ ounce loose leaf tea in 1 quart of water. Refrigerate in a covered container for at least 5 hours or overnight. Strain leaves after desired amount of cold steep time has elapsed. Keep chilled in the refrigerator (do not add ice). Pour over a generous glass of ice when ready to drink or serve. Note: always give tea leaves a hot water rinse before prepping using this method.
Iced Tea will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator. If excess was prepared, pour into ice cube trays to make Iced Tea Cubes — great additions to water, seltzer, alcohol or tea!
Any tea or tisane can be iced — some SerendipiTea Favorites are Lili'uokalani, Fiji, Ruby Sipper, Citralicious.
Chai Walla — A very traditional Indian beverage, Masala Chai literally means Mixed Spice Tea. There is no universal Chai recipe. The beverage varies from region to region and even from family to family, each guarding their own recipe which is often passed down from generation to generation.
Masala = Mixed Spice & Chai = Tea
A traditional Indian beverage made with steamed milk & sweetened to taste.
Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp of Chai; let steep 5 mins, then add 1/2 cup of hot milk or condensed milk for greater sweetness. Strain leaves & spices before drinking.
Prepare a mixture of half Chai (tea) & half milk & then steam like a cappuccino; at home a small hand-held frother is perfect for Chai!
Simmer 1 tsp of Chai with 1/2 cup milk & honey on stovetop. Gradually add 1/2 cup water. Strain leaves & spices before drinking.
Pouring over ice makes delicious Iced Chai! This versatile tea can also be prepared as a self-drinker. Plain hot Chai is made like any black tea (steep 5 minutes) or green tea (steep up to 3 minutes). May be enjoyed without adding milk.
Like the great Greta Garbo, Tea wants to be alone! A sensitive leaf, tea will pick up the odors of its neighbors in the cupboard.
To maintain absolute freshness, store your tea leaves in a closed, opaque container in a cool, dry place away from direct light, moisture and heat.
Never put tea leaves in the refrigerator or freezer as the condensation will alter the composition of the leaf thus encouraging its breakdown. The exception is matcha which, when unopened, should be stored in a freezer. Once opened, matcha should be refrigerated in an air-tight container.
Buy only amounts of tea leaf that will be consumed within a six month period, again, ensuring freshness.