The Art Of Brewing: A Guide To The British Way Of Making Tea With A Pot

Drinking tea is a huge part of British culture. But how do the British make their tea?

First, you'll need to choose your tea. Black tea is the most common type of tea used when making English tea, but green tea is also popular. You'll also need to decide whether you want to use tea bags or loose tea leaves.

Next, boil your water. You'll need to make sure your water is boiling in order to fully release the flavours of the tea.

Once your water has boiled, it's time to start preparing your tea. If you're using tea bags, place one tea bag per person in your teapot, and add one extra tea bag for the pot. If you're using loose tea leaves, the rule of thumb is to use one teaspoon of tea per cup, plus one extra teaspoon for the pot.

Now, pour your boiling water into the teapot and leave the tea to steep. The tea should steep for at least three to five minutes.

After the tea has steeped, remove the tea bags or loose tea leaves from the teapot and pour the tea into cups or mugs. If you're adding milk or sugar, do so now. Milk is typically added first, followed by sugar.

Finally, it's time to sip and enjoy your tea!

Warm the teapot with hot water

Warming the teapot is an important step in making a proper cup of British tea. It ensures that the teapot is hot enough to keep the tea warm for longer. Here is a detailed guide on how to warm the teapot with hot water:

First, boil some water in a kettle or pot. The water should be freshly drawn and cold, as this ensures better flavour due to the extra oxygen in the water.

Next, pour the boiling water into the teapot. Fill the teapot with the hot water and swirl it around, making sure the entire vessel is thoroughly heated. Leave the hot water in the teapot for about two to three minutes.

Finally, pour out and discard the water. Your teapot is now ready for the tea!

Some people like to warm their teapots with hot water before adding the tea and then pour the water from the kettle directly into the teapot to brew. Others might prefer to add the tea to the warmed teapot and then pour the boiling water on top. Either way, warming the teapot is an essential step in making a delicious cup of British tea!

Add tea bags and water to the pot

When making tea in a teapot, the number of tea bags you use will depend on how many cups of tea you want to make. The general rule is to use one tea bag per cup, plus one extra tea bag for the pot. So, for example, if you're making tea for four people, you'd use five tea bags in total. However, some people prefer a weaker tea, in which case you might want to use one tea bag per cup, without the extra one for the pot.

Once your kettle has boiled, it's time to add the tea bags to the pot. If you're using loose tea leaves, you'll need to put them in an infuser or strainer first. Then, simply pour the boiling water into the teapot. Leave the tea to steep for around three to five minutes. The longer you leave it, the stronger it will be. If you're using tea bags, it's important not to squeeze or press them, as this can make the tea taste bitter.

While the tea is brewing, you can warm your cups or mugs. In the UK, tea is usually served in mugs made from porcelain, ceramic or glass, rather than cups and saucers. Warming your mug will help the tea stay hot for longer. It's also a good idea to add a splash of milk to each mug before pouring in the tea. This will help prevent the china from cracking.

Finally, when the tea has finished brewing, remove the tea bags or infuser from the pot and pour the tea into the mugs through a strainer, if necessary. Add milk and sugar to taste, and stir well.

Use a tea cosy

Tea cosies are a great way to keep your tea warm and are an essential part of the British tea-making tradition. They are a cover for your teapot, traditionally made from cloth, but also from other materials such as wool, linen, lace, or crocheted. They are placed over the teapot to insulate it and keep the tea warm.

Tea cosies come in various styles, shapes, and colours. Some are designed to cover the whole teapot, including the spout and handle, while others have openings for the handle and spout. When using a tea cosy that covers the entire teapot, remember to remove it before pouring your tea. If you want to avoid this extra step, consider using a tea cosy with openings for the handle and spout.

Tea cosies with a metal exterior are sometimes used in restaurants and hotels to protect the inner fabric from wear and tear and to improve insulation. "Bachelor" teapots, a type of teapot with a built-in tea cosy, have holes for the spout and handle, and the "crinoline lady" cosies feature a porcelain doll on top, with the doll's flowing skirts providing insulation.

Tea cosies can also be a form of self-expression and a way to personalise your tea collection. They can be hand-knitted, embroidered, or even include hidden pockets for dried flowers and herbs to give off a pleasant fragrance. They are often made in matching sets with other kitchen accessories such as tablecloths, oven gloves, and aprons.

When choosing a tea cosy, ensure it is large enough to cover your teapot completely, leaving a little space for an insulating air barrier. This trapped air helps keep your tea warm. A good tea cosy should keep your tea warm for at least an hour, giving you plenty of time to chat and enjoy your tea with friends and family.

Pour the tea and add milk and/or sugar

Now for the fun part: pouring the tea and adding milk and/or sugar. If you're using a teapot, pour the tea through a strainer into your cup. If you're using tea bags or a strainer, you can remove them at this point.

The order in which you add milk and sugar is a matter of personal preference. Some people add milk to their cup first, then pour the tea, and finally add sugar. Others add sugar first, then tea, and finally milk. If you're adding sugar, it's a good idea to add it before the milk so that it has a chance to start dissolving before you add the cold milk.

The amount of milk and sugar you add is also up to you. If you're adding milk, a good rule of thumb is to use a ratio of 80:20 tea to milk. A splash of milk is usually enough. As for sugar, one or two teaspoons is common.

Enjoy with biscuits or cake

Tea is often accompanied by biscuits or cake in Britain. This tradition is so popular that you can even buy kits including tea, scones and cream in local supermarkets!

If you're looking for a traditional British experience, why not try a scone with your tea? Scones are small loaves of bread or small cakes, often served with a little jam or clotted cream. They are so popular that they are served everywhere from Buckingham Palace to the working classes.

If you're looking for something a little more savoury, why not try a biscuit? Chocolate digestives are a popular choice, as are rich tea biscuits, malted milk biscuits, bourbon creams, shortbread, and custard creams.

If you're feeling particularly indulgent, you could even try a slice of cake. Lemon cake and banana bread are popular choices, as are flapjacks.

Whatever you choose, remember to warm your teapot with hot water before you start, and always use freshly boiled water for the best flavour.

Frequently asked questions