How to make the perfect cup of tea

[kittyP]

Can't you just extract the teabag after the appropriate interval? Surely that's the one benefit of using a teabag in a pot as opposed to loose leaves.

I probably could but that would mean more faff and considering I manage to stub my toes, smash my shins and break things about a million times a day atm, I am not taking the risk

ETA: See milk jug reference for more details.

 

[Orang Utan]

Inferior quality tea compared to a decent loose leaf.

they're still good though!

 

[xenon]

Maybe I should get a teapot then.

 

[Greebo]

<snip>well-seasoned

Ye fuckin' gods! *makes note to take own mug and teaspoon if ever dropping in on gentlegreen*

Merciful heavens!

Let me guess, you were so shocked that you forgot how to swear?

 

[gentlegreen]

I only wash my tea mug or teapot on the rare occasion I leave something in it over the weekend and it goes mouldy.
Tea-making things should be seasoned.

 

[gentlegreen]

I probably could but that would mean more faff and considering I manage to stub my toes, smash my shins and break things about a million times a day atm, I am not taking the risk

ETA: See milk jug reference for more details.

I'm just the same.
I've been making my tea in the same half litre stainless steel pot for the past 30 years - it's well-seasoned though.

 

[Greebo]

<snip>I've been making my tea in the same half litre stainless steel pot for the past 30 years - it's well-seasoned though.

You say "well seasoned", I hear "thickly coated with tannin".

 

[gentlegreen]

Presumably calcium tannate or something - the water's very hard where I live.
I'm about to order another of those teapots for home - I don't drink enough tea at home.

 

[ericjarvis]

Inferior quality tea compared to a decent loose leaf.

For a while I worked for Brooke Bond. My job was sweeping the tea leaves off the floor and putting them back on the tea bag production line.

 

[ymu]

I once washed someone tea mug properly for them and was never forgiven. You're supposed to let teapots get like that, so if you brew in the mug I guess it makes sense.

The other benefit/disbenefit <delete as applicable> of milk in first is the lack of staining.

 

[Orang Utan]

i like to keep my mugs spotless.
dunno why.
i'm not exactly fastidious in other areas.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

I find that tea doesn't get so stewed in a pot with a tea bag than with leaves.

Infuser teapots are the answer here

(they at least look like real teapots)

just hoik the infuser bit out when tea has reached your preferred consistency of brewing / mashing* and bung tea-cosy over pot. Tea does not get any more stewed and keeps warm.

You can get them in a variety of sizes - I have a two cup** version. If you're only doing one cup it's not an issue.

Infuser ball thingies aren't much use, as they keep the tea leaves too close together and it doesn't brew well.

* - delete according to region

** - by 'cup' I mean a half pint mug. Any less isn't worth the effort.

 

[Orang Utan]

this is why you might as well stick with teabags. otherwise, it's a romp in the realms of the coffee arsehole, who are even worse than beer cunts.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

 

[Firky]

this is why you might as well stick with teabags. otherwise, it's a romp in the realms of the coffee arsehole, who are even worse than beer cunts.

I am a bit of a coffee arsehole, I won't drink instant. It's horrible but I won't berate anyone for it - unless they drink Mellowbirds in which case they should be flogged.

Viz has a strip for every occasion:

 

[Orang Utan]

Many of my friends are beer cunts. I love them dearly, but it is impossible to meet them anywhere these days without it being about what kind of beer is available. I just want a nice, affordable place to socialise and most of these places are eye-wateringly expensive and not even that nice places to even drink in.
the actual drink drunk should only be a minor consideration in all of this, but it has now become a major one. this distresses me.

 

[Mrs Magpie]

You say "well seasoned", I hear "thickly coated with tannin".

....pronounced 'minging'.

 

[Firky]

Many of my friends are beer cunts. I love them dearly, but it is impossible to meet them anywhere these days without it being about what kind of beer is available. I just want a nice, affordable place to socialise and most of these places are eye-wateringly expensive and not even that nice places to even drink in.
the actual drink drunk should only be a minor consideration in all of this, but it has now become a major one. this distresses me.

I'll avoid a pub if it does a crap pint of Guinness but if it wouldn't stop me from meeting friends there. I'd just have a short, a bottle or something none-alcoholic instead.

 

[Orang Utan]

my 40th is coming up next month. i am tempted to have it in The Beehive, if just for the look on one friend's face when we went there the other day.

 

[Firky]

my 40th is coming up next month. i am tempted to have it in The Beehive, if just for the look on one friend's face when we went there the other day.

That one in Wandsworth, I thought it was quite trendy?

 

[Orang Utan]

That one in Wandsworth, I thought it was quite trendy?

no, the one in Brixton. it's a Drew pub.

 

[Firky]

no, the one in Brixton. it's a Drew pub.

Will they have any beer left?

 

[Jon-of-arc]

Quick skim through says this was never posted. Most amusing....

 

[gentlegreen]

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