Do you know how can you make drinking tea classier? Do it the way Brits do. This may surprise you but there is actually a British manual in preparing the good old classy black tea. The British Standard Institute, which is probably the reason why the Brits are so collected and elegant, published a six-page guide to the correct way of brewing the tea. Yes. Tea. Means. Serious. Business.
Since the six-page manual is very thoroughly discussed, we have happily summarized it for your fast-paced needs. If you want to get the most of your favorite tea drink, here are what you need to know (and follow):
Step One: Use the right cup
According to the BSI, you should be using a white porcelain, or a glazed earthenware tea pot. The recommended size would be between 74 mm and 78 mm wide.
Step Two: Tea-to-Water Ratio
In case you missed it, the British are really precise. The ideal measurement of one serving of this hugs-in-a-cup drink is 2 grams of tea for every 100 ml liters of water. It is also suggested you get your own kitchen scale for the purposes of this extremely accurate preparation.
Step Three: Know the right temp
Remember this number: 185 or 140. The water's temperature should be heated up to 185F when brewing and 140F when serving, according to them, these certain temps release the tea's best flavors.
Step Four: Soak it for Six Minutes.
Black tea should be immersed in water for a total of six minutes only. It is said that that is all the time the tea leaves need to extract its wonderful flavors.
Step Five: Add Milk first
It sounds wrong, because why milk first? But, better trust the brits because they have done their scientific research. To their defense, it has something to do with denaturing the milk proteins. That's what they said.
Follow these easy steps and they guarantee you'll taste your tea like you've never had it before! Changing your routine with these simple suggestions don't seem to be much of a hassle. Who knows? Maybe you get to have the best tea in your life! The brits won't bother publishing a six-page manual if it's not worth the try, would they?
