In honor of their three latest Twinings Tea launches – Lemon Delight, Berry Fusion, and Buttermint – we’ve got the tips on how to brew the perfect cup (or batch) of herbal tea from 10th generation tea master, Stephen Twining.
Clean as a Whistle: Warm the inside of the teapot first with hot water, then pour it out. Always start each cup with a clean teapot and mug.
Use Fresh Cold Water Each Time: Never reuse already boiled water, it’s best to start with freshly drawn cold water.
Never Let the Water Over-boil*: “I never let the water over-boil because in doing so, you will cause the oxygen in the water to be reduced, making the tea taste ‘flat’. So remember to remove the teapot from the stove as soon as it hits a boil.”
Pour the Water Over the Tea Bag: Place the tea bag in the mug first, then pour the boiling water over it.
Let the Tea Bag Sit: Some people take this time to “dunk” or “squeeze” the tea bag. It is best to let it sit and allow the full steeping process to occur.
Savor the Herbal Essence: The first thing you will notice is the herbal scent of the tea being released. Take a moment to savor the rich aroma!
Never Judge a Tea by Its Color: Next to be released in the process is the color of the tea. At this time, it is tempting to think your tea is ready but just wait a little longer! (See recommended brewing times below.)
Wait for the Perfect Taste: The flavor of the tea takes the longest to develop, so make sure to allow the correct steeping time to fully extract the best flavor. For herbal tea, I recommend letting it steep for a full four minutes.
Customize Your Cup: The proper cup of herbal tea does not require any additions. The expertly blended herbs and flowers will provide all of the flavor you will need. However, some choose to add honey, sugar or a squeeze of lemon.
Enjoy! : “The best cup of tea is the one you like the most.”
*For optimum tea flavor, we recommend you refrain from using a microwave to boil your water.
Recommended Brew Times for all Tea Types
Black Tea – 4 minutes
Chai Tea – 5 minutes
Green Tea – 2 minutes
Herbal Tea – 4 minutes
Red Tea – 4 minutes
Oolong Tea – 3 minutes
White Tea – 1 minute
Cold Brewed Iced Tea – 5 minutes
For milder tea flavor, shorten brew time. For stronger tea flavor, increase brew time.