Steeped in Tradition

Make time for tea

By Kristy Erickson

Perfection in a Cup

Although brewing and drinking tea involve ceremony, tradition, and reverence in other parts of the world, most of us in this country simply steep a tea bag in hot water. Nevertheless, there are still some guidelines to follow to brew the perfect cup of tea.

For green tea, heat the water to just below boiling. Heat water to a boil for all other teas. (Don’t boil the water too long or more than once—to draw the best flavor from the tea, there should be oxygen in the water.)

Pour hot water over one rounded teaspoon or one tea bag for each cup of water, or add tea directly to the teapot.

Steep tea for three to five minutes. Judge brewing time with a timer rather than your eyes to prevent bitterness—color is a poor indicator of taste.

Whether the focus of a centuries-old tradition or enjoyed among friends on a chilly winter evening, nothing brings people together quite like a cup of tea. With cultural significance around the world, tea has an exciting past and offers a variety for every palate.

In the Beginning

It all started in 2737 B.C.E., so the legend goes, when some tea leaves accidentally blew into a Chinese emperor’s pot of boiling water. From this day forward tea was infused into Chinese culture and quickly spread to Japan, where it was elevated to an art form, leading to the creation of the Japanese tea ceremony and tea houses. The first samples of tea reached England between 1652 and 1654, replacing ale as the national drink, and its popularity continued to spread. Tea was introduced to the American colonies in the 1600s, eventually playing an important role in establishing this country.

What’s the Difference?

Today there are about 1,500 different types of teas, all with varying taste and color. Like wine, a tea’s character is influenced by where it was grown—the elevation, soil quality, climate, and wind conditions. The varieties we’re most familiar with—black, green, and oolong— are derived from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, and their differences depend on how they were produced.

To produce green tea, fresh leaves are lightly steamed, rolled, and dried. For black tea, leaves are allowed to oxidize for two to four hours. Oolong tea falls between green and black—the leaves are allowed to partially oxidize.

Another popular choice is Earl Grey, which is a variety of black tea. Named for Charles Grey, prime minister to King William IV in the early nineteenth century, this tea is a mixture of Indian and Sri Lankan teas and gets its distinctive flavor from bergamot.

Enjoy Tea

With so many choices available, experiment with different flavor varieties of black, green, and oolong teas. And don’t stop at tea bags—look for loose teas and the accessories that go along with them. Tea infusers, strainers, filters, tongs, canisters, and pots are handy for brewing and storing your tea and also make excellent holiday or hostess gifts.