|
|
Click to buy tea gifts
Tea basket gifts, teas, fine gourmet tea, teapots, gourmet tea gifts plus delicious tea time snacks and goodies to enjoy.
Adorable Gift Baskets Offers Unique Gift Ideas, Gift Baskets, Upscale Gifts, Presents And All Occasion Gift Delivery.
Holiday Gift Baskets
Administrative Gifts
Anniversary Gifts
Baby Gift Baskets
Bear Gift Baskets
Care Packages
Pamper Bath Baskets
Happy Birthday Baskets
Cookies
Chocolate Baskets
Coffee Gift Baskets
Condolence Baskets
Cookies Tins
Business Gift Ideas
Easter Baskets
Father's Day
Florist
Fruit Baskets / Gourmet
Gardening Baskets
Get Well Soon
Boxed Gift Sets
New Mothers
Kids Toys / Gifts
Relaxation Gift Baskets
Gifts For Him
Food Basket
New Home Gifts
Italian Food
Mail Order Gift Baskets
Mother's Day
Picnic Gift Baskets
Romantic Baskets
Tower Gifts
Golf Baskets
Fishing Baskets
Sweet Treats
Tea / Teapot Baskets
Appreciation Baskets
Holiday Gift Shopping
Birthday Gift Ideas
Candle Gift Baskets
Movie Gift Baskets
Gift Basket Directory
All Occasion Gifts For Men
Sports Gift Baskets For A Man
Fishing Gift Baskets For Him
Golf Gift Baskets for Men
Country Gift Baskets
|
Peaceful, Relaxing Tea,
"YOUR PRESENT... A HALF HOUR OF PEACE!"
How To Make a Proper Pot of Hot Tea
by Debbie Rodgers, Paradise Porch
"No pleasure is simpler, no luxury cheaper, no consciousness-altering substance more benign."
- Norwood Pratt
One of the first things that I learned in seventh grade home economics class, nearly 40 years ago, was how to brew a proper pot of hot tea. This was an art that every young lady needed to master, and wedding shower gifts of the time (and for a decade after) often included bone china cups and saucers for those important ladies-only occasions at which tea would be "poured."
Alas, except among tea aficionados, it would seem that making tea properly is seldom considered today. Here's what you need to know.
Water Quality
Water quality will affect the tea's taste. If your tap water has additives such as chlorine or fluoride, consider using spring water. Warm tap water can carry minerals from the water pipes - always use freshly-drawn cold water.
The Teapot
Choose a china teapot with a spout that comes up to the same level as the top of the pot so the pot can be filled without tea running out the spout. Be sure that the handle of the pot is well-balanced and comfortable and that your knuckles don't touch the pot. A round pot is preferable as this allows the tea leaves to gently swirl with the water. Avoid metal teapots as they distort the taste of the tea.
Bags or Leaves?
Decide which form of tea you will use. Tea connoisseurs shudder at the mention of tea bags, as most bag teas are of a lower quality than the loose leaves. However, there are some quality bagged teas available. You might have a soft spot for a particular brand (Nova Scotians are very fond of their local "King Cole" brand) or may not want to mess with tea leaves. Leaves can be brewed in an infuser although aficionados prefer the loose tea alone in the pot. If you choose to use an infuser, try to stay away from the ceramic style which do not allow water to circulate and generally produce weak, flavourless tea. Choose an infuser that will allow the correct amount of tealeaves without packing tightly.
Type of Tea
Decide which type of tea you will use. All true tea comes from the leaves of a tree called Camellia sinensis. The leaves of this tree are picked and then "withered" or wilted. Steaming the leaves at this point will prevent oxidization-a process in which the leaf's enzymes come in contact with the oxygen in the air-and produce green tea. Oolong tea is prepared from partially oxidized leaves, while leaves that have been fully oxidized (for as long as four hours) produce black tea. Most purchased teas are a blend of these, sometimes with additives. For example, Earl Grey is a tea blend scented with the oil of the citrus bergamia fruit.
Making the Tea
Now that you've assembled your equipment, you're ready to make a proper pot of tea.
- Empty any standing water from the tea kettle and fill with fresh water. Put kettle on to boil.
- Once the water is very hot, but not boiling, pour some into each of two teapots and swish it around to warm the pots.
- Just before the kettle reaches a boil, pour the hot water out of one teapot and add the tea. Use a teaspoon of tea per cup.
- Take the teapot to the kettle. As soon as the kettle boils, pour boiling water into the teapot and replace the lid. Don't let the water over-boil, as it will lose oxygen and result in a flat-tasting tea.
- Let the tea steep from 2 to 5 minutes, depending on the type of tea and strength that you prefer. Large leaves require more steeping time than small ones.
- Empty the water from the second teapot and strain the tea into this pot for serving. This will prevent the bitter taste that results from sitting on the leaves for a long period of time.
- Offer milk (never cream), sugar and lemon with the tea.
- Cover the teapot with a tea cozy to keep the tea warm (never microwave to reheat!)
Prefer Decaf?
Although tea contains less caffeine per cup than coffee, if you are sensitive to caffeine you can decaffeinate tea by using this trick. Since 80% of tea's caffeine is released within the first 30 seconds of steeping, allow tea to steep half a minute and then pour off the water. Immediately add fresh, boiling water to the wet tea leaves and steep 2 to 5 minutes as usual.
Enjoy!
© 2004 Paradise Porch -
Paradise Porch helps you transform simple outdoor spaces -- such as porches, decks, balconies & gazebos -- into enriching areas you'll love to spend time in.
|
Afternoon Tea Basket
$79.95
cb ATGB
This delicious gourmet tea gift basket is perfect for anyone in need of a relaxing afternoon tea break. A great gift for mom, a secretary or any other special woman in your life
|
Café Delight Coffee Lover's Gift Basket
$59.95
d 810042
The perfect gift for every coffee lover in your life. Your special friend will find assorted gourmet coffees and all the delicious goodies to make any coffee break special!
|
Take A Break Coffee Gift
$45.00
d 810033
Everyone deserves a break today. This wicker coffee mug-shaped basket is filled with all they need for a sublime coffee break including gourmet coffees and gourmet snacks.
|
|
| How To Order | FAQ's | Privacy | Shipping | TOS | Blog | Contact Us | My Account | Same Day Delivery until 3pm |
 Adorable Gift Baskets offers fast delivery of gourmet food, hand delivered fruit, snacks, cookie baskets, candy, pamper bath, mail order gifts. Adorable Gift Baskets® offers a large selection of mail order baskets, unique gifts and presents to buy online. Search Easter Baskets, Mother's Day Gifts, unique gifts for men, pamper gifts for women and fun gifts for children. Find Christmas presents, holiday fruit and business gift ideas.Send food baskets, flowers, balloons and bouquets. Buy birthday gifts, get well soon gifts, thank you gifts, newborn gifts, comfort gifts, housewarming gifts, congratulations gifts and unique gifts. USA gift basket delivery. © 2000-2008 Adorable Gift Baskets®, LLC. - Registered Trademark - All Rights Reserved.
|
|
