Yup, there’s a better way to make a cup of tea than just dunking a bag in microwaved water. The folks from August Uncommon Tea, an L.A.-based artisanal tea importer, have turned us on to simple at-home steps to making the perfect cup.
5 Steps to the Perfect Cup of Tea
Throw out the boring bag
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Published May 29, 2015
Step One: Add Great Water
Use bottled spring, filtered or purified water but avoid distilled or reverse-osmosis waters, which cause bitterness.
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Step Two: Use A One-cup Diffuser
To enable tea leaves to fully expand and release maximum flavor, use a diffuser with a micro-mash filter.
Step Three: Weigh Your Tea
Want a predictably perfect brew? Measure 3.5 grams into a cup using a precision scale. Adjust by half-gram increments to taste.
Step Four: Control Water Temperature
Some teas get bitter in boiling water. Use a temperature-control kettle or a kitchen thermometer and choose the right temp for your leaves (black teas at 212 degrees Fahrenheit; oolongs at 194 degrees; greens at 176 degrees; and delicates like florals at 158 degrees).
Step Five: Time The Infusion
Between three and five minutes is optimum--no longer or you’ll risk an acrid cup.
