Brewing Instructions

Guide to brewing tea

Storage
Light, temperature, moisture and odours can compromise the quality of tea and it will lose freshness.  Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.  Stored well tea can have a two year shelf life - although if the pack remains sealed it will last a lot longer than this. 

The larger the cut of the leaf - the longer the tea will last. 

Water
The quality of tea is affected by the quality of water used to prepare it.  Using filtered water is preferred over tap or distilled water, which will result in a tainted flavour.

Always tip out the water you have previously boiled and re-fill the kettle.  It really does make a difference!

Water temperature and brewing times

• Green and white tea
  Pour 80° water over leaves.  Brew for 1-3 minutes. Never pour boiling water onto green or white leaves. If your water is too hot or you brew for too long, your tea will become bitter or unpleasant.   The easist way to achieve the right temperature is to put a little cold water in the bottom of your pot or mug and then add hot water.  This brings the temperature down
• Black tea
  Place 1 teaspoon per person into a cup or teapot.  Pour 100°C (just boiled) water over the leaves and brew for 3-4 minutes.
  Too short a brewing period and you won’t extract the full flavour, too long and the astringent tannins will release and the tea will be bitter.
• Infusions
  Infusions include herbal, fruit and rooibus. Use 1 heaped teaspoon per cup. Pour 100° water over leaves, brew 5-10 minutes.
  Herbs should be brewed in a cup or a pot with a lid.  This prevents the beneficial oils, such as those found in peppermint or chamomile, from evaporating and ensures you get the maximum healing benefits from the teas.
  

Milk or Not
There is some debate that the antioxidant goodness of black tea is diminished when you add milk. This is simply not true - but it is dependant on how long you brewed the tea first before you added the milk.  So if you brew your black tea for the correct time prior to adding the milk (3-4mins) then you will still benefit from the antioxidants.

Once you add milk this prevents any further proper infusing of flavour as well as antioxidants and nutrients.

Some black teas, such as english breakfast, are blended specifically to take milk.  Without it they will be too strong and astringent. 

Green tea, white tea, herbal and fruit teas should all be drunk without milk.