We asked a tea - making expert to help us get to the bottom of this ~heated~ debate .

warming water in a tympanum is the most traditional agency to brew tea , but sometimes waiting by the stove or yourelectric kettlefor almost 10 minutes can seem like forever when you just need a console cup of tea at the end of a long day . So maybe you ’ve repair to popping a mug of water in the microwave for a minute instead . It ’s the same process , right ? Heat some water , add a afternoon tea bag , and hold back for it to engross a few minutes before removing the tea bag and sipping . Is n’t live water all the same ?

Not necessarily . Apparentlymicrowaving your teais a tea - making method that stir up some heated opinions , though some hoi polloi still swear by heating H2O for afternoon tea in the microwave oven . The fact is , though , how you heat the watercouldimpact the flavor and quality of your cup of tea .

Warming up a drink with a microwave oven.

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According to tea master and possessor ofJ’enwey Tea Co. Lisa Marie Gennawey , bringing water to a boil in a tea kettle or a water boiler produce a circular apparent motion , allowing the water to evenly heat and progress to the desired temperature for afternoon tea . " Microwaves have no way to animate this beautiful rolling boiling point , so they often leave a loving cup of tea unevenly heated , " she secernate Better Homes & Gardens .

Gennawey makes it clear : For a bully cup of tea , you should not heat the water supply in the microwave . But if you ’re not using the microwave , what is the ripe way to make tea ?

How to Brew Tea the Right Way

Since we ’ve determined microwaves are n’t the unspoilt water heating method , here are some tips to see your cup of tea will be its good .

1. Boil Fresh Water

grant to Camellia sinensis companionship Twinings , always start with freshly drawn , filtered water . Re - boiling quondam water left over in your tympani causes it to lose oxygen , which is significant in allowing the tea ’s flavor to spring up . Fill atea kettlewith the fresh body of water . If you do n’t have a kettle , a small pot on the stovetop will also do the trick .

2. Make Sure Your Water Is the Right Temperature

The right urine temperature for steeping tea leaf reckon on the type of tea you have , but no Camellia sinensis turn out well with scalding hot water . Pouring boiling water on your tea can burn the leaves and bestow out unwanted bitterness . In world-wide green and white tea need a temperature of 140 ° F to 185 ° atomic number 9 , while black or herbal teas should be 208 ° farad to 212 ° F . If you do n’t have a thermometer handy , do n’t care . Simply allow the H2O in your kettle or electrical piddle boiler to add up to a boil and take it off the heat , then waitress 2 to 3 minutes for the weewee to cool down somewhat before pour it into your mug or teapot .

3. Pay Attention to the Tea’s Brewing Time

Since you ’ll be making even more delicious cup of tea now , do n’t blank out to whip up somesconesorcucumber tea sandwichesto go with your afternoon sips .

Black tea in glass cup, morning hot drink. Tea bag. Lifestyle, moody photo

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