Quick Guide to Brewing a Proper Cup of Tea
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
At 31Daily, we believe there's beauty in the simple rituals of everyday life-and few are more cherished than a proper cup of tea.
Whether you reach for a bold black, a delicate white, or a soothing green, brewing tea well is both an art and a comfort.
In this post, we're sharing timeless tips from tea expert Stephen Twining, including ideal steeping times and temperatures, along with easy ideas for setting a lovely tea table and serving simple, elegant teatime snacks.
While we have multiple tea brewing guides for some of our favorite teas, like Earl Grey tea and Irish Breakfast Tea, the following is intended to be a general guide for brewing most teas.
Brewing Tea Guide
Stephen Twining is a 10th-generation member of the renowned Twining tea family. He is a maker of fine teas, and even Queen Elizabeth was said by a royal chef to enjoy a cup of Twinings Earl Grey tea every morning with a splash of milk and no sugar.
Here are Mr. Twining’s general rules for brewing a proper cup of tea:
- Fill a tea kettle with fresh cold water.
- Heat the water to the right temperature:
- 176°F for green tea
- 185°F for white tea
- 212°F for black tea
- Steep the tea without dunking the tea bags:
- 3-5 minutes for green tea
- 4-5 minutes for black tea
For 5,000 years, tea has given up its flavor without human invervention.
Stephen Twining
Brewing Tea and Tea Treats
If you’re brewing tea for afternoon tea, here are a few favorite sweet and savory bites to include in a simple menu:
- Finger and Tea Sandwiches: This is a must for traditional afternoon tea gatherings. They’re simple to make and always a favorite. Common sandwiches include cucumber tea sandwiches, egg or chicken salad tea sandwiches, ham tea sandwiches or salmon tea sandwiches.
- Scones and Quick Breads: Scones are the essence of afternoon tea, from cream scones to scones filled with seasonal ingredients like strawberries, raspberries, lemon lavender scones, and traditional English Scones. You can also serve quick breads, including muffins, banana bread, Irish barmbrack, and more. (Here is a link to all our scones recipes.)
- Sweet Treats: Offer pastries, cookies (like macarons), or cakes in assorted sizes and textures.
- Savory Selections: From soups to salads, or savory finger foods, these offerings in small glasses or even shot glasses (like cold cucumber soup) is a delightful addition to teatime.
Setting the Tea Table
A cup of fragrant tea always tastes more delightfully delicious when served at a tea table, which can be as simple as covering a dining table, sideboard, or coffee table with linens or even fabric. Set the table with your grandmother’s china or your favorite china. Mix and match if you don’t have a set, which adds a beautiful, eclectic atmosphere. Finally, complete the look with fresh flowers or greenery.
When decorating your table, take a nod from your menu. If you’re serving cream tea with scones and homemade strawberry jam, incorporate strawberries in your decor, either in a vase, serving dish, or even in the pattern of your linens.
You May Also Enjoy:
If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your comments and consider giving it a 5-star rating. Explore the recipe index for more easy, delicious ideas, and stay updated by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!