The Perfect Cup of Tea

On a chilly morning, there are few things better to wake up to than a cup of tea. It makes you feel warm and cozy and has just the right amount of flavor to not be overwhelming right as you wake up. Now, if you’re a tea lover like me, a cup sounds good just about any time of day. Seriously, my friends can attest that when you come to my house, you’ll most likely be offered a cup day or night while you’re here.

Now, I know, a lot of people think they don’t like tea, (note that I said think) but it’s all about finding the right combination. A good friend refers to my love of tea as “drinking dandelions” but given the right blend, even she can admit that there is a perfect tea for everyone. 

The formula is simple: Tea + Water + Sweetener (optional). However, getting each piece correct is critical in making the most of your cup. Let me break it down for you:

Tea: There are many types of tea to choose from, all of which have different flavors and strengths.

White Teas: The most subtle of all, these teas are the least processed and are the most delicate. They are derived from a Chinese plant and named after the white hairs on the unopened buds of the tea plant rather than the actual color of the tea.

Green Teas: These have a very clean, earthy taste and are often blended with another fruit or spice flavor. They are made from the same Chinese plant as white teas but have more oxidation.

Oolong Teas: These blends are highly processed to a particular dryness to create their flavor. They are a traditional Chinese tea that require the plant to wither under strong sun to reach proper oxidation levels.

Black Teas: The most oxidized of all of the teas, these blends have a stronger flavor than its counterparts. Also sometimes known as “red tea.”

Chai Teas: This blend of spices can be combined with black tea, oolong, or even herbal teas. It typically includes cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and vanilla.

Herbal Teas: Made from an infusion of natural herbs and spices, these blends do not have a base leaf plant unlike their counterparts. Because of that, herbal teas are most always caffeine free.

Rooibos Teas: These teas are made from an African red bush plant. They are very similar to the herbal teas in that most are caffeine free and have a more fresh taste.

Personally, I like to stick with the Herbal teas with some Rooibos mixed in every now and then. There are several health benefits to the herbal mixes and I actually just like the taste better. A few of my top picks are Berry Kiwi Colada, Marshmallow Macaron and Limeade Twist (you’ll never want anything else for a sore throat after you try that last one.) If you aren’t into super-sweet or fruity flavors, try the Rooibos Chai for a more spicy taste.

Now, these picks are all loose-leaf teas which make a huge difference to me. When you buy in the bags at the grocery store, the blends inside are typically old and lack the flavor of loose leaf. There are also preservatives added into the boxed teas which make them more artificial tasting and not as good for you. Buying the tins of mini tea bags typically makes the tea a little more fresh so, if you have to go that way, lean towards the canisters or seasonal blends which means they hopefully haven’t been sitting on the shelf for months. 

Water: With all of these tea types, there is actually a specific water temperature and steeping time for each one. When you buy there is usually a little chart or instructions on how to steep the type you’ve bought. This is another reason I love the herbal teas. They are the least amount of work! They use the hottest water (212 degrees!) and can brew for as long as you want. You’ll want to let them sit for at least five minutes before drinking to get the flavor out - which should also allow the scalding water to cool down a bit. To get my water just the way I like it, I’ve found a kitchen gadget that I absolutely love. The Hamilton Beach Electric Kettle allows you to program the temperature you need and even has a timer if you want a cup ready when you wake up. It also keeps your water at your set temperature for an hour, perfect for making more when you have visitors or just need a bit more to finish that episode of Downton Abby.

So you have the loose leaf and the water but you need something to blend the two without drinking a bunch of debris, right? There are lots of little tea infusers that look like spoons, cups, etc. but they mostly clump your tea together making it so the tea in the middle of your little lump is never even exposed to water. Enter the Perfect Tea Maker. You pour a couple teaspoons of tea inside the canister, add your water, let it sit for a few minutes then rest the clear container on top of your tea cup. The tea is released from the bottom to maximize your flavor. 

Sweetener: Some people think the fruity teas are sweet enough as is and don’t need to add any sweetener. Some people don’t have the sweet tooth that I do. I like to add one small packet of Stevia to bring out the fruit flavor even more and make me feel like I’m drinking a sweet treat. You can add any sweetener of your choice to get the tea just how you like it. Herbal teas don’t blend well with any kind of creamer but if you go for any of the other teas, you may want to try a bit of cream or half and half as well.

Now that you have all of the right ingredients to make the perfect cup of tea, you just need to have a super cute cup to put it in! Having a mug or teacup that you love helps make all the difference. And you're in luck! We have one more day remaining on our teacup giveaway. Be sure to enter by 9am PST on December 9 for a chance to win! 

Enjoy your spot of tea!