How to Make Tea

Making tea is an easy process. It basically just involves pouring hot water over some loose tea leaves or a tea bag and allowing the infusion to sit for a few minutes before drinking the freshly brewed tea. However, we have a few additional suggestions to ensure that you make the best possible cup of tea for your guests.
 
Special equipment:

  • teakettle
  • teapot
  • measuring spoon
  • tea cozy

Procedure:

  1. Fill a teakettle with freshly drawn cool water and bring the water to a brisk boil over medium high heat. 
  2. Pour a little of the boiling water into a teapot to warm the pot; then empty the water out. Bring the water in the kettle back to a boil while you measure out the tea.
  3. Using good quality tea, add 1 teaspoon of loose tea per cup (4 teaspoons for a teapot that holds 4 cups of water.) Then add 1 more teaspoon of tea “for the pot.” Since most tea bags contain about 1 teaspoon of tea, you can use the same measurements if using tea bags rather than loose tea.
  4. Cover the teapot with a tea cozy and allow the tea to brew for 5 minutes. Any shorter and the tea will not have developed; any longer and the tannins will start to come out of the leaves, making the tea taste harsh. 
  5. You can add more boiling water onto the damp tealeaves in a pot of tea that has been consumed, and the leaves will still produce tea, but only do so once. After that, if the guests want more tea, rinse out the pot, discarding the old leaves, and start over again with fresh tealeaves.

THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
  Philosophy of Tea
     Harmony
     Humility
     Respect
     Creativity

Guidelines for the Host/Hostess

  Gathering and Greeting
  Sharing Stories
  Sharing Food
  Sending the Guests Home

Guidelines for the Guest

  Respect your Hostess/Host
  Bring a Gift if You Wish
  Practice Humility
  Monitor Your Conversation
  Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
  Help if Help is Needed
  Do Not Criticize
  Leave Gracefully
  Send a Thank you Note

A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea

  A Sampling of Teas
  Herbal Teas and Tisanes
  How to Make Tea
  Making Iced Tea
  Tea Concentrate
  Brewing Tea for a Crowd

Tea Utensils and Accessories

  Tea Kettle
  Tea Pot
  Tea Cozy
  Teacups
  Plates
  Silverware
  Teacart
  Tea Strainer
  Tea Infuser
  Three-Tiered Server
  Cream Pitcher and Sugar   Bowl
  Cake Pedestal
  Trifle Bowl
  Jam Pots
  Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
  Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
  Linens
  Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation

Tea Menu Basics

  Sandwiches and Savories
  Savory Spreads and Dips
  Scones and Tea Breads

About Lemons

  Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons

     A Spring Tea
     An Outdoor Summer Tea
     A Winter Afternoon Tea
     An Autumn Afternoon Tea

A Calendar of Tea Parties

  January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
  February:Valentine’s Day Tea
  March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
  April:An Easter Tea
  May:Mother’s day Tea
  June:A Wedding Reception Tea

Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake

  July:A Picnic Tea
  AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA

A North American Family Reunion Tea
  An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
  A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
  A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea

  September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
  October:A Tea to Honor   Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
  November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
  December: A Christmas Tea

  In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit

A World of Tea Parties

  A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
  A Portuguese Tea
  A Classic British Afternoon Tea
  An Indian Chai Party
  A California Tea
  A Hawaiian Tea
  An Italian Tea
  An American Southern Tea
  A Russian Tea
  A French Afternoon Tea
  A Kosher Teawith  Traditional Jewish Foods

Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions

  An Afternoon Tea for  Children
  A Tea for Our Elders
  A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
  An Urban Tea on the Go
  Tea for One
  Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
  A Vegan Tea
  A Rose Tea