Tea Recipe

Bring water to a boil

Pour 4 cups of cold water into a kettle or small saucepan. Heat until the water reaches a rolling boil.

Prepare tea

If using loose-leaf tea, place 2 tablespoons of tea leaves into a teapot with a strainer basket or into an infuser. If using tea bags, have 4 tea bags ready (one per cup).

Steep

Pour the boiling water over the tea leaves or tea bags in the teapot. Cover and steep for 3–5 minutes for black tea (3 minutes for lighter, 5 minutes for stronger).

Strain

After steeping, remove tea bags or strain out loose leaves into the teapot or directly into cups to stop steeping and avoid bitterness.

Add milk (if desired)

If you prefer milk tea, warm 1 cup of milk gently in a small saucepan until just steaming (do not boil). Add milk to the teapot or to individual cups to taste — typically 1/4 cup per cup for a creamy finish. Stir to combine.

Sweeten

Add sugar (about 2 tsp total) or honey (1 tbsp) to the teapot or to cups and stir until dissolved. Adjust sweetness to taste.

Citrus or herbal additions

For a lemon tea, add 2 slices of lemon to the teapot or to each cup. For ginger tea, add the 1 tablespoon of thinly sliced fresh ginger to the boiling water before steeping and strain out with the tea. For mint, bruise 6 fresh mint leaves gently and add to the teapot while steeping or as a garnish.

Serve

Pour the tea into teacups. Taste and adjust milk, sweetener, or lemon as desired. Serve immediately while hot.

Discard used tea leaves or tea bags. Rinse teapot, infuser, and cups with warm water. If milk was used, wash equipment promptly to prevent residue.