Tea should be added to the teapot or French Press, using one teaspoon of loose leaf tea per cup of tea with an added teaspoon for the pot, if a tea pot is being used. Pour the freshly boiled water over the tea leaves. If the water is allowed to continually boil it will lose oxygen which will alter the taste of the tea. Allow the tea to steep for at least three minutes and up to five minutes. If the tea is served too soon it will not have its full flavor while steeping for too long will create a bitter tea that is unpleasant. Stir the tea in the teapot a few times while steeping. If using a French Press it should be stirred after the water is boiled and the lid put on to keep the heat inside the pot. Once the tea has steeped the required amount of time, pour into the serving cups using the method that matches the type of pot used. If a teapot is used, a tea filter should be used to prevent the tea leaves from following the tea into the cup. If a French Press is used, the plunger should be pushed straight down to trap the tea leaves beneath the plunger filter. The tea can then be poured into the cups.
Making loose leaf tea is a simple process that makes an excellent cup of hot tea. Between the superior taste of hot tea and the excellent health benefits associated with it, making loose leaf tea is the smart way to serve tea to friends and family.
