A civilized guide to treating your tea leaves with the respect they deserve.
Mon Dieu, we must address a terrible crime happening in kitchens across the globe. People take our beautiful, artisanal leaves, drown them in raging, boiling water, and leave the poor things to steep for twenty minutes. C’est une catastrophe!
Tea leaves are delicate creatures. To get the perfect cup, follow this simple etiquette:
-
Green Tea: Never use boiling water! Let the kettle sit for a few minutes until it is around 80°C. Steep for only 2 minutes, or she will become bitter and angry.
-
Black Tea: Boiling water is perfectly fine here (around 95°C-100°C), but give it a strict 3 to 5 minutes max.
-
The Vessel: Use a loose-leaf infuser so the leaves have room to open up and breathe, like a beautiful flower blooming in the morning sun.
Treat your tea well, and she will reward you with pure paradise.
