Tea is one of the most popular drinks in the world, drunk in almost every corner of the globe. But not every drink called tea can be called real. In this article we will tell you about the top 10 tea secrets that will help you prepare a real, tasty and healthy drink.
- Tea selection
The first and most important secret is the right choice of tea. Real tea is made only from the leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). The market often sells mixtures of different herbs called tea, but in fact it is not real tea. If you want to try real tea, pay attention to the packaging - it should indicate that this is tea from the leaves of the tea bush.
- Tea quality
The quality of tea depends on many factors, such as where it grows, the method of collection, processing and storage. Tea from high mountain regions is considered to be of higher quality than tea from lowland regions. Proper processing of the leaves is also important - the fewer leaves are damaged, the better the quality of the tea. High-quality tea has the same size and shape of leaves, aroma and rich taste.
- Types of tea
There are different types of tea - black, green, white, yellow, oolong and dark. Black tea is the most common type of tea, which undergoes a complete oxidative treatment of the leaves. Green tea undergoes minimal processing, which makes it healthier. White tea is the most expensive type of tea, which is not processed and consists of tender buds and young leaves. Oolong is a semi-oxidized tea that has a flavor intermediate between black and green tea. Dark is a compressed and aged tea that has a rich taste and aroma.
- Brewing time
Each type of tea has its own brewing time, which depends on its type and quality. For example, for black tea the brewing time is about 6 minutes, for green tea it is 1 to 5 minutes, for oolong tea it is 2 to 4 minutes, and for white tea it is about 3 minutes. It is important not to overcook the tea as this can affect its taste and quality.
- Water quality
The quality of the water you use to brew your tea is also important. Clean and fresh water will help preserve the taste and aroma of tea. Use only filtered or bottled water to avoid chlorine and other contaminants.
- Water temperature
The temperature of the water for brewing tea also matters. For black tea, use boiling water, for green tea - water with a temperature of 80-85 degrees, for white - water with a temperature of 70-75 degrees, and for oolong - water with a temperature of 85-90 degrees. If the water is too hot, it can dry out the leaves and spoil the taste of the tea, and if it is too cold, the tea will not develop fully.
- Quantity of tea
The amount of tea also matters. Typically, you need to take from 2 to 3 grams of leaves for one cup of tea. If you take less, the drink will turn out weak, and if you take more, it will be strong and bitter.
- Amount of water
The amount of water depends on the amount of tea and the desired concentration of the drink. Typically, for one cup of tea you need to take about 200-250 ml of water. If you want a richer drink, you can add a little less water.
- Heating the kettle
Before brewing tea, it is recommended to heat the kettle with hot water. This will help keep the water warm while brewing and keep the tea cool.
- Using filters
To brew tea, you can use special filters or tea bags. They will help prevent small particles of leaves from getting into the drink and make the brewing process more convenient.
These secrets will help you prepare real, tasty and healthy tea. Don't forget to experiment and find your perfect brew!