Learn how to make a better cup with the help of a Tea Sommelier, including tips on avoiding common pitfalls.

USE LOOSE TEA

Always choose loose tea if you add water to your tea.

Please take a look at the tea leaves unfurled after it has been brewed. This will show you how much tea is still intact. You can see the whole tea leaves, not just broken or crushed. This is the highest quality loose-leaf tea.

Tea bags are generally the lowest quality. Tea sachets have the highest quality. Tea bags are made of tea dust and small pieces of crushed tea leaves.

You can use loose tea when adding water, but tea sachets or bags can be used when making tea lattes and recipes.

DO NOT USE BOILING HOT WATER ALWAYS

Have you ever had bitter green tea? This is because the water was too hot. It is important not to boil water for all tea, mainly green.

Too hot water can ruin a great cup of tea. Always refer to the tea package for the exact water temperature.

GET AN ELECTRIC KETTLE WITH A TEMPERATURE SETTING

To get the water hot enough, an electric kettle with temperature control is a must. A serious tea drinker must have one.

DON’T USE TEA BALLS

When loose tea is steeped in hot, boiling water, the tea leaves will begin to unravel and become unfurled.

You want to ensure that the leaves have enough space to unfold. This will give you the best flavor. It would be best if you didn’t stuff them in a tea ball or tea infuser that is too small. The larger the tea infuser, the better. Give your tea leaves space to expand.

FILTERED WATER IS SUITABLE

I always say this: The best water makes the most delicious tea. The quality of your water plays a significant role in the taste and aroma of your tea. Make tea with filtered water whenever you can.

Every tea shop that is good at making tea uses filtered water.

COLD BREW TEA TO MAKE THE BEST ICED TEA

You’ll want to make iced tea from cold brewed tea. Although it’s elementary to make, it can take several hours to steep in your refrigerator.

Iced tea is less refined when cold-brewed tea is used. Cold brew tea makes it easier to appreciate the subtle flavors and layers.

WARM THE TEAPOT

Before brewing tea, every tea professional must warm up the teapot.

Add more water to boil, pour it into a teapot, and stir it for a few seconds. Then, drain the water.

This is important to ensure that the teapot stays warm and the water doesn’t drop too much during the brewing process.

COVER TEAPOT IN STEEP

This is also important when warming the teapot. It is all about maintaining the tea’s temperature as it steeps.

Make sure you have something to cover the teapot if you are making tea in a cup with an infuser. This will allow the water to stay hot and warm while it brews.

DON’T STOP TEA TO MAKE IT STRONGER

Tea can become bitter if it is brewed at the wrong temperature or steeped for too long.

Many people make the error of steeping their tea too long to get a more robust cup. You will get a stronger cup of tea, but it will also be more bitter. You can add more tea, but keep the same steeping time.

MAKE TEA LIKE A PRO WITH AN ELECTRIC MILK FROTHER

Tea lattes are my favorite thing to make at home. I especially love how easy it is to get cafe-quality froth. Although a French press can produce great foam, it requires you to heat the milk separately. (See How to Froth Milk Using a French Press

An electric milk frother heats and froths milk simultaneously.