Tea and coffee are vying for the world title among the most popular non-alcoholic drinks, alternately overtaking each other, but without revealing an obvious leader.
So, while one half of the Earth prefers coffee, the other is trying to figure out how to actually brew tea correctly.
How to understand that tea is fresh
First of all, by the date on the box. In the case of tea, you need to ask when it was packed. If it was more than 6-8 months ago, it is better to look for another option. At home, you need to pay attention to the tea leaves. If they are dull and have a gray coating, then the product is not very fresh. Foil packaging keeps tea fresh well.
How to Keep Tea Fresh
For this, you need to find a tightly closed box or container. It is better to keep the tea in a warm, dry and dark place.
What to do with water
There are two most popular ways to prepare good water for tea: buy bottled water or pass it through a household filter. It is important that it contains fewer salts and the liquid should not be chlorinated.
Which teapot is the best
Made of porcelain or earthenware. It is also important that the lid closes tightly.
How much tea to take
Depends on personal preference. The classic version looks like this: 1 g per 100 ml of water. Or simpler - 1 teaspoon per cup. Those who like it stronger add more.
How long to brew tea
Black tea is brewed for 5-7 minutes, and green tea - 4-6 minutes. However, this is a general rule. It should be taken into account that both black and green tea have their own varieties, which have their own characteristics and a point about the brewing time.
You need to brew it with boiling water
It also depends on the variety. Black tea is poured with boiling water, but the liquid should not boil for long. Experts also advise pouring boiling water over the walls of the teapot to ensure complete temperature stability.
Green tea is brewed at a temperature of 90 degrees. The fire is turned off when the first bubbles appear on the surface, and then wait 1-2 minutes for the water to cool to 90 degrees.
A little trick for better aroma development: pour water into the teapot up to half, and after 2 minutes add the rest.
What to do after the tea has brewed
It is better not to over-expose the brew. Firstly, the drink will be bitter. Secondly, such tea is less useful, but it may well be harmful.
You can brew tea several times.
The technology used to process the tea leaves and the climatic conditions during the harvest play a major role.
For example, there are a number of Chinese green teas that can withstand several steepings one after another. Some black teas retain their flavor after the first steeping, so they are used twice.
