Making the Perfect Cup of Tea

Hot Tea

	Start with fresh drawn cold water.
	Warm the teapot to help keep the tea hot longer.
	Use one teabag (or one heaped teaspoon) for each two cups of tea. Be sure to use a quality tea or blend.
	When the water is boiling, pour onto the tea in the teapot. Cover and let steep 2 to 4 minutes depending on the type and strength required.
	Make sure you STIR the tea in the pot before serving.
	Black tea is often served with milk … in which case a small amount of milk should be either put into the cup prior to pouring in the tea, or after the tea has been poured. Sugar or honey can be added to the tea drinker’s taste.

Iced Tea

	Insert 6 tea bags into a one litre pitcher.
	Pour 1 ¼ cups (300ml) of freshly boiled water over the tea bags.
	Steep for five minutes.
	Remove tea bags.
	Fill pitcher with fresh cold water.
	Pour over ice.
	Garnish and sweeten to taste.

Once prepared, fresh iced tea should be stored in the refrigerator. A good rule is to double the strength of hot tea as it is to be pour over ice.