The best way I've found to boil water for tea is by using one of these containers in the microwave. My microwave takes 1 minute to boil 150ml of water. I add a marble chip to provide 'nucleation' so the water doesn't superheat and splater.



These are available from American Science and Surplus.

There is a standard.

quote:

Originally posted by jonrem:
I’ve got English in laws. Find a tea you like, but the trick is definitely boiling water. Get a proper electric kettle. It all tastes better if sufficiently hot water is used. Also half and half with a little sugar.

This is it. BOIL the water. Steep the pot or cup -that is put some boiling water into the pot to warm it up and then throw it out. Then put in the tea and boiling water and let it steep.

Hot water won't make good tea. It has to be boiling.

My grandmother, who liked tea, always liked Red Rose, but I don't one brand of tea from another.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jhe888,

We get our tea from this place.
https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/teas

Ginger Baker says this :

Now this is serious! if there's one thing in this country that really bothers me
Is the inability of yanks to make a good cup of tea
Instructions are printed on the teabag
But either they can't read
Or they think it's a gag
Pour boiling water over the tea
How simple and clear can the instructions be?
They bring you a cup with a lemon slice
And an unopened tea bag beside it (how nice)
And a pot of water and it may be hot
But boiling it isn't so tea you have not
Why can't we
Get our tea
We need tea
To set us free
It's boiling water that brings out tea's flavor
With a dash of milk you've a real brew to savor
They drink luke brown water that looks like gnat pee
And it's got nothing to do with a good cup of tea
Pour boiling water over the tea
How simple and clear
Can the instructions be?
Pour boiling water over the tea
Pour boiling water over the tea


Source: LyricFind


Songwriters: Daniel Rey / Ginger Baker / Googe / Chris Goss
T.U.S.A. lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management

quote:

Originally posted by scsigs:
We get our tea from this place.
https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/teas

Their Ancient Forest Tea is delicious. It has a floral scent and delicate flavor. For loose teas I use an in-cup mesh basket. Dropping the basket into a cup of boiling water seems to cool the water to the right steeping temperature. Then I add the tea to the basket.

There will be lots of debate on water temperature but I do not sear my tea leaves in 212˚ water. I let it drop 10-20 degrees. And keep to a short steep.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by jonrem:
I’ve got English in laws. Find a tea you like, but the trick is definitely boiling water. Get a proper electric kettle. It all tastes better if sufficiently hot water is used. Also half and half with a little sugar.

This is it. BOIL the water. Steep the pot or cup -that is put some boiling water into the pot to warm it up and then throw it out. Then put in the tea and boiling water and let it steep.

Hot water won't make good tea. It has to be boiling.

My grandmother, who liked tea always liked Red Rose, but I don't one brand of tea from another.

This is pretty much true for black tea (I think the tea snobs recommend ~205F), but green and oolong teas should be brewed at a somewhat lower water temperature (but still hotter than coffee maker water - around 190-195F).

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
green and oolong teas should be brewed at a somewhat lower water temperature (but still hotter than coffee maker water - around 190-195F).

Exactly.
And because where I live the boiling temperature of water is about 194°, boiling out of the pot is perfect for what I mostly drink.

And thanks for the explanation about Pu-erh tea; sounds like something I should try sometime.

Join Star Fleet?

Like others mentioned, I find most people don't use hot enough water. They also let it steep to long which increases bitterness.

We grow several types of mint and order specific dried flowers online to make our own tea.

Very tasty

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:

quote:

Originally posted by jonrem:
I’ve got English in laws. Find a tea you like, but the trick is definitely boiling water. Get a proper electric kettle. It all tastes better if sufficiently hot water is used. Also half and half with a little sugar.

This is it. BOIL the water. Steep the pot or cup -that is put some boiling water into the pot to warm it up and then throw it out. Then put in the tea and boiling water and let it steep.

Hot water won't make good tea. It has to be boiling.

My grandmother, who liked tea, always liked Red Rose, but I don't one brand of tea from another.

Not all tea is supposed to be steeped in boiling water. Mint tea or green tea for instance is usually steeped around 175 deg.

My "go to" is second blush Darjeeling from a reputable source.

Just don’t use plastic tea bags—unless, of course, you like lots of plastic in your tea:

https://www.newscientist.com/a...-7c1cbc1e54-43423637

(I didn't know there even were plastic tea bags. Always something new.)