Auntie Duchess's Guide to Enjoying Tea
Hello my lovelies! I am Auntie Duchess, woman of mystery, of science, and of tea. Today we will be discussing how to properly brew a cup of tea.
First, you will need a few items: a cup, pure water, and the tea or herbal infusion of your choice. You may also want to get out sugar, milk, lemon, or whiskey, depending on how you take your tea.
Next, we heat the water! The type of tea will determine how hot the water should be before using. Now, I realize that most of you do not own one of the Professor's Aqua Thermal Goat Powered Temperature Exactors, so please feel free to use the "Fish-Eyes" Method. This method has been used for generations in the East.
You begin by heating the water and waiting...until you see little bubbles; these are "fish eyes" and indicate that the water is ready for the more delicate teas. Then, the bubbles appear that resemble pearls; now the water is ready for teas of medium sturdiness. Finally, the water roars into furious waves and it is ready for the really hardy teas.
For those of you that prefer more accuracy, I have included a chart below with more precise temperatures.
First, you will need a few items: a cup, pure water, and the tea or herbal infusion of your choice. You may also want to get out sugar, milk, lemon, or whiskey, depending on how you take your tea.
Next, we heat the water! The type of tea will determine how hot the water should be before using. Now, I realize that most of you do not own one of the Professor's Aqua Thermal Goat Powered Temperature Exactors, so please feel free to use the "Fish-Eyes" Method. This method has been used for generations in the East.
You begin by heating the water and waiting...until you see little bubbles; these are "fish eyes" and indicate that the water is ready for the more delicate teas. Then, the bubbles appear that resemble pearls; now the water is ready for teas of medium sturdiness. Finally, the water roars into furious waves and it is ready for the really hardy teas.
For those of you that prefer more accuracy, I have included a chart below with more precise temperatures.
Water Temperatures and Your Tea*
|
Yellow Teas
White Teas Green Teas Oolong Teas Black Teas Herbal Infusions Rooibos Teas Pu-erh Teas |
170 F
170-180 F 170-180 F 195-205 F 205-210 F 200-210 F 200-210 F 200-210 F |
for 1-3 minutes
for 3-5 minutes for 2-3 minutes for 3-6 minutes for 3-5 minutes for 5-6 minutes for 5-6 minutes for 3-5 minutes |
The third step involves adding the tea. This step is very important and must not be skipped! There are several ways to add the tea. The most popular is to use a tea ball or bag, but you can also just place the loose leaves straight into the water and after time has passed, strain them out.
Speaking of time passing, after adding the tea, you have time to contemplate world events, advances in nautical exploration, or your navel. Please see the above chart for contemplation times.
After removing the tea leaves from the water, add to your tea whatever brings you joy.
Finally, enjoy your tea!
*Please remember that these are mere suggestions and it is your tea. You should prepare and drink it in a manner that you enjoy and forget about what the "experts" tell you.
Also, if you have any questions for Auntie Duchess about tea, life, or taming the Mongolian hoard with only a butter knife and a plate of biscuits, do not hesitate to ask. Auntie Duchess knows and can invent many interesting things.
Speaking of time passing, after adding the tea, you have time to contemplate world events, advances in nautical exploration, or your navel. Please see the above chart for contemplation times.
After removing the tea leaves from the water, add to your tea whatever brings you joy.
Finally, enjoy your tea!
*Please remember that these are mere suggestions and it is your tea. You should prepare and drink it in a manner that you enjoy and forget about what the "experts" tell you.
Also, if you have any questions for Auntie Duchess about tea, life, or taming the Mongolian hoard with only a butter knife and a plate of biscuits, do not hesitate to ask. Auntie Duchess knows and can invent many interesting things.
