English Tea Recipe

Inspired by Kervan Kitchen Brentwood

Time10m

Serves2

Make English Tea Recipe in just 10m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Tea and flavorings

2 each black tea bags (English Breakfast or Assam)

1 2/3 cup (400 ml) boiling water

1/4 cup (60 ml) milk (whole or preferred milk)

1 tsp granulated sugar

1 each lemon slices (optional, for lemon tea)

1 tsp honey (optional)

Equipment

1 each teapot or heatproof jug

1 each kettle or saucepan to boil water

1 each tea strainer (if using loose leaf) or mug

1 each teaspoons

1 each measuring jug (optional)

Method

Boil water and warm pot

Heat water

Bring 400 ml fresh cold water to a rolling boil in a kettle or saucepan.

Warm teapot

Pour a little of the boiling water into the teapot or heatproof jug, swirl to warm the vessel, then discard that water.

Brew the tea

Add tea

Place 2 black tea bags into the warmed teapot (or 2 teaspoons loose leaf per cup if using loose tea).

Pour and steep

Pour the remaining boiling water (about 400 ml) over the tea bags into the teapot. Cover and steep for 3 to 5 minutes depending on desired strength: 3 minutes for lighter, 5 minutes for strong traditional English tea.

Prepare milk and sweeteners

While the tea steeps, measure 60 ml of milk into a small jug. If using sugar or honey, have 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar or 1 teaspoon honey ready. If serving lemon, slice one lemon and set aside one thin slice per cup.

Serve

Strain and pour

After steeping, remove the tea bags or strain the loose leaf tea into cups to avoid over-steeping. Pour the brewed tea into two cups (approximately 200 ml per cup).

Add milk and sweetener

Add 30 ml milk to each cup (total 60 ml divided between two cups). Stir in 1/2 teaspoon sugar per cup if desired or 1/2 teaspoon honey. If serving lemon, do not add milk; instead add a lemon slice to a cup and 1/2 teaspoon sugar if desired.

Final taste and serve

Taste one cup and adjust sweetness or milk to preference. Serve immediately with biscuits or scones if desired.