Rules for preparing tea like a master
Do you love tea, but would like to know more about how to prepare it at home? If you sometimes put your mug in the microwave and quickly slip the tea bag in, forget about it and follow our 5 expert tips for preparing tea the right way!
Step 1
Once the water is hot, the tea can be brewed in a variety of containers: mugs, bowls, saucepans and so on. However, the tea lover's ally remains the teapot. When it comes to materials, we advise you to avoid cast-iron. Indeed, cast-iron teapots are not always of good quality.
Choose a glass, porcelain or stainless steel teapot. Simply wash in soapy water, rinse well and leave to air dry. If you don't have a teapot, it's essential to choose a container reserved exclusively for tea.
Step 2
Once you've found your teapot container, it's time to prepare your tea! To do this, choose quality water. It may seem trivial, but it represents half the recipe! And tea can vary according to the quality of the water.
If the water is too high in limescale, the infusion may not be optimal. Chlorine, meanwhile, can alter the tea's flavor. Mineral water may be ideal, but it's not the most ecological or economical solution. The planet-friendly alternative? Filtered tap water!
Step 3
Now you've got the perfect water, all you need to do is heat it up.
And the golden rule is never to let the water boil! Whether in terms of taste or active ingredients, too high a temperature could alter the quality of the tea. The pot is therefore the ideal utensil for observing the water as it heats up, or for measuring its temperature with a thermometer.
Turn off the heat just before the water begins to simmer, at around 90°. By pouring it into the cold teapot, the temperature will drop, ensuring an ideal infusion.
For some teas, such as green tea, a temperature between
70 and 80°C. White tea is brewed in water at 70°C, compared with 80°C for Oolong tea. Black and Pu'Erh teas require higher temperatures, between 80 and 90°C.
Step 4
The water is ready, now it's time to brew! Choose a Pascal Hamour® grand cru , then drop it gently into the hot water. Then cover the mixture. For infusion times, follow the instructions on the packet. Infusion times can be adjusted to suit your preferences. The longer you infuse, the more bitter the tea will become.
Did you know?
White tea should steep for 3 to 5 minutes, green tea for 2 to 5 minutes and black and oolong teas for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 5
Your tea is ready to enjoy! Add your own gourmet touch: milk, lemon or honey, sugar and even cinnamon if you feel like it! For some teas, especially Sencha Yamatao green tea, the plain version is best.
All that's left is for us to wish you an excellent tasting experience!