Herbal and flower drinks, like tea and infusions, have accompanied humanity omnipresently. From Asia to Europe, and also America (if we think of the popular yerba mate of Guarani origin), they are all territories where prepare tea and consume it is part of the culture, and even shapes her.
Around this drink there is an undeniable worldwide cult. In China, for example, drinking tea is an art. (it is known as chayi: “the art of drinking tea”) and is used as a symbol of respect, for celebrations, to show gratitude and even as a way to apologize. It is also connected with practices such as Taoism and Buddhism, and is used medicinally. For his part, England is almost synonymous with tea:in this country, time has been configured around the ritual of taking it (exactly at 5 pm, the famous English «tea time»).
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But maybe one of the most endearing traits of tea be it his role as a mediator in all kinds of dialogues, talks or furtive encounters. Or also that very often he is our subtle companion, either in the breaks of work or in sleepless reading.
Definitely, It is a potion that cannot be missing in our day day. But the way the tea is prepared can ruin everything from its benefits to its taste. Or, on the contrary, exalt them. Know how to prepare tea well (and even make this moment a small ritual) is something vital with which we will pay tribute to ourselves and to nature, which gives us its herbs and flowers to make this ancient elixir.
How to prepare the best cup of tea?
1. Don’t drink it too hot
According to the World Health Organization, no drink should be taken at more than 65℃. One study found that drinking beverages hotter than that increases up to five times the probability of cancer in the esophagus. In fact, 65℃ It is also the temperature at which yerba mate is usually drunkwhich also brings out its best flavor and helps it not to «wash» so quickly.
2. When preparing tea, do not use boiling water
If you boil the water, it will burn the herbs in the tea and they could lose their properties. By adding water, all you’re doing is rehydrating the herbs: the water doesn’t need to be boiling, for them to bring out their full flavor. You must use water at a temperature no higher than 100℃. If you don’t have a thermometer, just be sure to turn off the water when you see the first bubbles forming. These are the recommended temperatures for some teas:
3. Do not drink only bag tea
Buy teapots and infusers so you can make your tea directly from the leaves, whether fresh or dried. Bag tea has dust that can change the flavor of the drink, and it usually contains high fluoride levels, because it is made with the oldest plants of the crop. Also, if you buy loose teas and infusions and prepare them yourself, you will be keeping the tea ritual alive and, definitely, it will be less polluting.
4. Add milk first when making tea
Fan of the English way of drinking tea? It is delicious and also a good option to drink a little milk without excesses. But the English tea tradition is finicky even in this. It is important that you add the milk first and then the tea, so that the milk does not cool the water, which will happen if you do it the other way around.
Also, do not heat the milk and water together in the kettle, as the milky flavor could permanently impregnate the kettle, and also this causes the milk to form a custard that does not go well with tea.
5. Do not let it infuse for more than 5 minutes
Leaving the tea bag or herbs for more than 5 minutes not only adds nothing to the flavor, but in many cases makes the tea bitter, as is the case with black tea. The English know that too well..
6. Don’t drain the tea bag.
It can happen that your tea becomes bitter by releasing an excess of astringent tannins, which, although they are very good for us (because they are antioxidants), make the tea bitter. Only take out the sachet once it has finished infusing, even if it is dripping.
And ready. With this you will be able to prepare tea like an artist, and you will have the best cup to delight your palate.
Just remember to store your teas and infusions in cool and isolated places, away from other products that can modify their flavor. Use hermetic containers, as well as teapots and cups made of porcelain, clay, glass or any material that does not affect its taste or is bad for your health. And if you can grow your own herbs yourself; that will make the tea ritual even more exquisite and organic.
* Images: 1) Flickr Marco Verch; 2, 3, 4) CC; 5) Tao Tea Leaf; 6) Flickr A Girl With Tea; 7) Epicurious; 8) Pinterest; 9) Ecoe
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