It’s no secret that British people love tea. However, we’re sure that many of the country’s millions of tea drinkers have never experienced the ‘perfect brew’. Achieving perfection entails more than popping a tea bag in a mug, topping it up with hot water, and adding a dash of milk and perhaps some sugar. Fortunately, the experts at Denby are on hand to explain how we can all reach tea nirvana.
Although the above ‘tried and tested’ tea-making method will do the job, resulting in something that will still please the palate, you can get even more enjoyment out of your tea. Below, the historic British ceramics brand Denby explains how.
Choose your flavour
For a long time, the classic English breakfast tea reigned supreme in Britain, and there was little choice of tea outside of this. But now there are various herbal tea flavours to choose from, so you should be able to find a delicious new blend that you enjoy, no matter your tastebuds! Below are a few of the most popular herbal teas and descriptions of their flavours:
Chamomile: This tea offers a subtle herbal taste with a floral aroma, with notes of apple and honey.
Peppermint: A light and refreshing minty tea that gives drinkers a cooling sensation.
Lavender: This distinctive tea has floral and subtle citrussy notes with herbal undertones.
Lemon balm: A slightly sweet and citrussy herbal tea with minty notes.
Ginger: This tea flavour has a slightly spicy kick. It’s often paired with lemon.
Start experimenting with some of these popular flavours above to find the perfect one for you. You could even turn your tasting session into a get-together with friends to help them find a new favourite tea flavour, too!
Choosing your Tea: Loose leaf or Tea Bags?
Many love the convenience and simplicity of shop-bought tea bags, but if you’re looking to go all out and brew the perfect cup, you may prefer to opt for a loose-leaf variety. Loose-leaf tea tends to be fresher than shop-bought tea bags, which can also make it more flavourful. Plus, it can give you more control over the strength of your tea, as you can simply sprinkle a few more leaves in if you prefer a stronger taste.
As well as being full in flavour, loose-leaf tea is fairly easy to make, so you’ll find it isn’t much extra effort than using a tea bag. Simply put your desired amount of loose-leaf tea into your teapot (around a teaspoon per 170ml of water is average, but you can top this up or cut it down depending on your desired strength).
Allow it to brew for 3 to 5 minutes for black loose-leaf teas or 3 to 4 minutes for green varieties. Then, simply pop a tea strainer over your tea cup and pour the brew in. Some teapots come with internal strainers to make it easier for loose-leaf lovers to enjoy a brew.
If you can’t live without a tea bag but want to try something a little different, you can even try making your own! Crafting handmade tea bags is easy and low-effort, with only a few products needed, including loose-leaf tea, food-grade muslin squares, and thin thread. So try giving it a go!
Get the Right Temperature
Many simply wait until the kettle has boiled and pour the boiling water on our tea bag. But if you’re looking to brew the perfect tea, you’ll need to do a little more. The right temperature for your tea depends largely on the type of tea leaf you’re brewing. You can use the temperatures below as a guide or check your tea’s packaging for temperature recommendations.
- Black tea: 90°C to 98°C
- Green tea: Around 80°C
Find the Perfect Additions
While some prefer their cups of tea to be as simple as possible, others enjoy enhancing the flavour with a few extra additions. If you normally just stick to milk and one sugar, why not mix it up and try out a few new extras for your tea?
There are a variety of options to choose from, and by experimenting with different ones, you may even be able to find a new go-to brew.
Here are some popular tea additions and the flavours they work best with. If you want to experiment, try setting a few of these out in small bowls to see what works best.
Honey: A great addition for both sweetening up a tea and introducing a slightly floral flavour. This can be used with a variety of teas, including black tea, green tea, and chamomile.
Mint leaves: As well as being ideal for enhancing the minty flavour of peppermint tea, mint leaves can also add a refreshing taste to green tea and lemon balm tea.
Ginger: Use this to add even more of a kick to your ginger tea, or add it to citrus-based teas to create a bold flavour.
Lemon: A slice of lemon is traditionally served with an Earl Grey, but this citrus fruit also makes a great addition to ginger-flavoured teas, as well as black and green varieties.
Serve it in style
Once you’ve found the perfect tasting brew, it’s time to find the best way to serve your tea. If you’re opting for loose-leaf tea, a teapot is a necessity for brewing your drink. But even if you opt for tea bags instead, a teapot is still a good idea as it gives you an easy and convenient way to top up your cup without heading back to the kitchen and brewing a new drink from scratch. Ceramic teapots are particularly popular as the material can retain heat for a long period.
When it comes to choosing the perfect receptacle for your tea, the choice is yours. Many claim that teacups make the drink taste better, and they also look elegant, especially when paired with a matching teapot. But mugs tend to hold more liquid, making them a great choice for those who enjoy a larger cup of tea. And, of course, there’s nothing more comforting than having a delicious cup of tea from your favourite mug.
Hayley Baddiley at Denby says, “If your New Year’s resolution is to start enjoying the small things more, spending time making the perfect cup of tea is a great way to do this. With just a little extra time and effort, you can get so much more flavour out of every cup, and by experimenting with different varieties, you may even find your new go-to flavour.
“No matter which tea you choose, enjoy it to the fullest by using your favourite ceramics for serving. This is a great way to get use out of the teacups and pots you may usually save for best, and it can turn your tea-tasting session into more of an event. Once you’ve perfected your ideal cup, invite friends over and share your discovery with them — you may help them find their new favourite flavour, too!”
About the brand
Established in 1809, Denby is a leading British homeware brand specialising in ceramics, kitchen décor, and glassware. From handmade pottery to cast iron kitchenware, Denby prides itself on its high-quality products, which are stylish enough for your best occasions but versatile enough to use daily. For more information, visit www.denbypottery.com.