Tea Steeper Cup
Posted on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 5:55 am
What determines the “strength” of tea steeped from a teabag (ie steep time, cup size, heat)?
Obviously, you can’t drop a teabag into a 1-liter jar and expect 1 liter of tea. During the process of steeping, tea “particles” flow from the bag to the water. What stops this flow? Some sort of osmotic equilibrium? Do the leaves simply run out of “particles” to give?
I think that “running out of particles” is part of the picture.
However, apart from not using too much water relative to the amount of tea, the best tea is made by using FRESH, ABSOLUTELY BOILING water poured into a container (such as a ceramic tea pot) containing LOOSE TEA, that can be kept as hot as possible and stirred and agitated from time to time.
The pot itself should first be partly filled with boiling water several times and shaken and agitated vigorously so that it becomes as hot as possible prior to putting in the tea and filling it with the aforesaid boiling water.
To keep the tea, once made, as hot as possible, a traditional English “tea cosy” should be placed around the pot.
Some purists would have one drain off the tea into another pre-heated container after 3 – 5 minutes, in order to minimize the continued strengthening of the tea with tannins. That is said to preserve the flavour of freshly brewed tea. However, if (like the British working classes whence I came) one loves that increasingly tannic taste, that is pointless, of course.
It is hard to achieve the right amount of agitation of the tea in the confines of tea bags and a cup or glass. Worse yet is to ask for tea in cultures (such as the U.S.) where a request for BOILING WATER is followed by having merely hot, and sometimes only warm, water brought to the table, it having already been poured into a previously cold cup, and with an unopened tea bag only somewhere in the near vicinity!
Boiling water is of course the ENEMY of good coffee; but for tea it is ESSENTIAL.
Live long and prosper.
How Long Should You Steep a Cup of Tea?
|
|
Adagio Teas Ingenuitea Teapot Enjoy the superior flavor of tea with this ingenious teapot. Steep loose tea as easily as using a bag. With three easy steps your tea is ready to enjoy. Step 1: Place tea leaves and hot water inside. Steep according to taste. Step 2: Placing teapot atop a cup opens a valve at bottom. Tea flows down. Step 3: Your cup is ready. Toss the teaves and place teapot in dishwasher. Durable, microwavea… |
|
|
Progressive Stainless Steel Mesh Tea Ball $0.01 This stainless steel mesh tea and herb infuser is 2 inches in diameter…. |
|
|
Thermos Nissan 12-Ounce Stainless-Steel Tea Tumbler with Infuser $15.50 .Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Tea Tumbler with Infuser. TherMax double wall vacuum insulation for maximum temperature retention. Unbreakable 18/8 stainless steel interior and exterior withstand the demands of everyday use. Leak-proof travel cover seals closed for carefree portability. Separate infuser and drink lids let you brew and enjoy, all in one container. Infuser lid lets you brew tea ri… |
|
|
The Tea Spot Steeping Mug, 3-Piece Handcrafted Porcelain Ceramic Tea Mug with Infuser & Lid, 16-Ounce, color: Blue Sky $17.19 Enjoy tea for one without the hassle of preparing a full pot with this steeping mug set by The Tea Spot. Hand crafted out of stylish blue porcelain, the mug insulates and keeps your tea warm and drinkable. The set includes an infusing insert for your loose leaf teas, along with a matching lid. Loose teas are known to bring superior flavor and freshness to your cup, and can be inserted directly int… |
|
|
The TeaSpot Steeping Lime Mug with Infuser & Lid (16-Ounce Cup) $16.95 New! Prepare traditional tea with modern technology and design. This ergonomic three piece systems allows you to steep the perfect mug of tea with elegance and ease. This 16 oz porcelain steeping mug system with mug, infuser basket and lid/saucer is just perfect for making steeped tea effortlessly. Masterfully handcrafted in porcelain, the 16 oz steeping vessel is ideal for brewing loose leaf tea… |
|
|
The Tea Spot Steeping Mug, 3-Piece Handcrafted Porcelain Tea Mug with Infuser & Lid, 16-Ounce, color: Black $15.80 Enjoy tea for one without the hassle of preparing a full pot with this steeping mug set by The Tea Spot. Hand crafted out of stylish black porcelain, the mug insulates and keeps your tea warm and drinkable. The set includes an infusing insert for your loose leaf teas, along with a matching lid. Loose teas are known to bring superior flavor and freshness to your cup, and can be inserted directly in… |
|
|
Tea Forte Single Steeps Loose Tea Sampler $12.00 The perfect measure for the perfect cup. Single Steeps easy to use, pre-portioned pouches are a convenient and simple way to prepare the perfect cup of premium loose-leaf tea. Now tea aficionados and beginners alike can enjoy the wonderful taste experience of loose-leaf tea with perfect ease. Steeping delicious and extraordinary teas is as simple as opening the pre-portioned pouch of tea and emp… |
|
|
Thai Iced Tea Traditional Restaurant Style $1.20 How to make Thai Iced Tea: Thai iced tea is one of the first things people fall in love with when dining at a typical Thai restaurant. It is a native-grown red-leafed tea which is spiced with star anise seed. It is usually brewed strong and then blended with a rich swirl of Half & Half or milk. Delicious! 6 cups water 1 cup Thai tea (cha Thai) 1 cup sugar (vary according to taste) Add a little … |
