Making a Great Cup of Tea

Taking the right approach to tea preparation can enhance the flavor and health benefits provided by exceptional tea.

Here's how to get a great cup of tea.

1. Bring more than enough water to a boil in a non-reactive water kettle.
2. Use good tasting water. The better tasting your water, the better tasting your tea. The best water is filtered or bottled (but not distilled). If using tap water, let it run cold for 10 seconds before using it for tea.
3. Pre-heat the teapot with boiling water. Cover the teapot with the lid. Let stand until the vessel is warm, pour out the water and proceed immediately to step 4.
4. Put the tea in an infuser or other infusing device. Start with one heaped teaspoon per cup. The amount of loose tea you use will depend on the type and strength of the tea, as well as your individual taste, so a little experimentation may be necessary.
5. Add hot water by pouring it over the tea. Use an amount in proportion to the quantity of tea you've added (e.g. 6 cups of water for 6 teaspoons of tea). The ideal water temperature varies based on the type of tea being steeped. The more oxidized the tea (e.g. black tea) the hotter the water should be, whereas less oxidized teas (white, green) should be steeped in water that isn't as hot.
6. • white or green teas, well below boiling (170-185 F or 76-85 C) Bring the water to a boil, turn off the heat and let the water cool for 30 seconds for white tea and 60 seconds for green tea before pouring it over the leaves.
   • oolong teas (185-210 F or 85-98 C)
   • black teas, full rolling boil (212 F or 100 C) The most common mistake is to steep black tea with water that is not hot enough, which can prevent the active substances in black tea from developing
   • pu-erh teas, full rolling boil (212 F or 100 C)
7. Cover and steep. Different teas require different steeping times. Check the instructions for guidance. If there are no instructions, steep for three minutes, then taste frequently until it's flavorful but not bitter.
8. Remove infusing device from the teapot. Tuck the teapot back inside a tea cozy or a warming device to maintain temperature of the tea.
9. Some teas can be re-infused. Follow your taste buds because it is a personal preference.
10. You may want to add milk, sugar or honey. If you use milk, add the milk to the cup first, then add the tea. This prevents the hot tea from scalding the milk by heating it up gradually.
11. Enjoy the experience that warms the heart and soul with a great cup of tea!

Tea Cures

Use this brew to soothe minor cuts and scrapes, treat sunburns, refresh puffy and fatigued eyes, and soak tired feet:
Brew 1/2 cup of unscented black or green tea leaves in 1 quart of boiling bottled water for at least 10 minutes. Strain the leaves and set aside. Cool the liquid and refrigerate. This solution will keep in the refrigerator for approximately 10 days.

For Minor Cuts & Scrapes:
Apply the cold tea brew with a pure cotton pad onto minor cuts or abrasion. Leave the cotton pad on the affected area for at least 5 minutes. Repeat, and do not wash off. This procedure can be repeated up to four times a day.

Sunburns:
Apply a piece of cotton cloth that's been soaked in the cold tea brew to the sunburned area. Leave on for about 15 minutes, or until the burned areas begins to cool. You can repeat this treatment up to four times a day.

For Puffy & Fatigued Eyes:
Soak cotton pads in the cold tea brew and lay them on your eyes. Keep the pads on your lids for about 10 minutes. You can also refrigerate your used tea bags and lay them on your eyes.

For Tired Feet:
Soak your feet in the cold tea brew for about 15 minutes. This is a great way to treat your feet after a long day of standing, walking, or running. You can also try soaking your feet in a concentrated Peppermint Herbal tea brew for an aromatic soak.

Facial Beauty:
Mix one teaspoon of fine cornmeal with cooled chamomile tea to form a gentle scrub. Let dry, then gently rub off. Not for sensitive skin.  

Make an exfoliating paste using chamomile tea and powdered milk. Rub on skin, let dry, and then rub off before washing.

Hair Treatment
In a small saucepan, warm (do not boil) 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons fresh ground lavender, and the dry contents of 2 peppermint tea bags. Massage into scalp over damp hair. Cover hair with shower cap to keep heat in. Sit in the sun, if possible, for 20-25 minutes. Shampoo and rinse hair. Repeat this treatment once a month to nourish and strengthen hair.

Other tips:

Use black tea as a hair rinse to darken hair and add shine.  

Use Chamomile herbal tea to bring out highlights in hair.  

Get a temporary tea tan by soaking in unflavored black tea leaves for about 20 minutes.  

Ease toothaches by applying spent tea leaves on the affected tooth until your dentist visit.  

Use tea as a mouthwash. Stash Wintermint Herbal tea (with parsley seed) is a natural breath freshener.  

Rinse your face with tea. Tea acts as an astringent, so it works well on pimples. Do not wash off.