We don't have a lot of tea parties anymore, but a nice cup of tea is still an enjoyment.
There are a lot of things to consider when getting ready to make a cup.
It can almost become the ritual it once was.
Selection: This is the beginning place.
Do you want "tea" tea or do you want an herbal blend? Even if your answer is regular tea, there are still choices.
I like Earl Grey, but it is not my husband's favorite.
He prefers Lipton or Tetley...
both good brands.
If you want to enjoy an herbal mixture, either by taste preference or to avoid caffeine, there's even more to consider.
It's easy enough to buy herbal blends at the supermarket, but you should pay some attention to all of the ingredients.
Most are on the GRAS list (generally recognized as safe), but that doesn't rule out the possibility of side effects or interactions.
As an example, chamomile can act as a blood thinner, which isn't always wise if you take them.
Peppermint has few side effects, but if you are trying to go to sleep, it's not your best choice.
It increases concentration.
Brewing: Do you steep or boil? That depends.
Regular tea should only be steeped.
Boiling it brings out a lot of bitter tannic acids and that is not something enjoyable.
How long you steep it depends on your taste preferences, but the the basic rule of thumb is from three to five minutes.
The longer it steeps, the stronger the tea, and the bitter taste.
Most herbal teas are also steeped.
Those that are made from leaves and flowers can't handle the heat.
Some of them should steep for up to twenty minutes, or until you can actually drink it without burning your mouth.
Roots, hard seeds and bark usually have to be simmered before they will offer up the flavor delights locked inside.
If you are buying a prepackaged product, the instructions should be on the box or bag.
One last point, if you are serving regular tea, do not squeeze the bag.
Take it out without squishing out all the tannins waiting to ruin your cup of tea.
On Tea Cups: The serving vessel chosen for anything we eat or drink plays a large role in our enjoyment of it.
While a well brewed cup of tea might taste just fine in a mug, putting it into a delicate china teacup adds miles to your enjoyment.
I don't think it's the taste, I think it's the aesthetic value that comes into play.
Additions: Some people are purists when it comes to tea.
Nothing should be added to deprive them of full enjoyment.
Others tend to put in so much stuff it's almost impossible to taste the tea.
Me, I'm somewhere in the middle, leaning towards purist.
I don't like milk, cream or lemon in it.
Honey is ok, but if I add anything, it will be a small amount of sugar.
Tea is a wonderful institution, and I think it would be great if we got back into the habit of enjoying it together.
It would be a great way to relax after a stressful day.