Lyla Lindsey
There are many ways to make a cup of tea, and tea-drinkers can be very particular about their preferences. In Australia, tea is often made with tea bags, but loose leaf tea is also popular. The water used should be cold, fresh, and filtered, and the kettle should be emptied of any stagnant water. The cup or pot should be warmed with a splash of boiling water, then filled with fresh water to brew. The tea should be left to infuse for at least three minutes. The milk is typically added after the tea, but some people prefer to add it first.
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What You'll Learn
Use cold, fresh, filtered water
When making a cup of tea, Australian style, it's important to start with the right water. Using cold, fresh, filtered water is the best way to ensure your tea tastes just right.
Firstly, always start with an empty kettle. If you're in a rush, don't be tempted to use water that's already in the kettle, even if it's cold. This water will have lost oxygen and will be stagnant, which will affect the quality of your tea. Stagnant water also contains more minerals and impurities, which won't "boil off" as they are heavier than water. While these minerals are not harmful, they will impact the flavour of your tea.
If you don't have access to filtered water, fresh, cold tap water is fine. However, be aware that some regions in Australia have "hard water", which can cause limescale build-up in your kettle. If you notice this, be sure to descale your kettle regularly.
Once you have your fresh, cold water, boil it and then warm your cup or pot by adding a splash of the boiling water. Swill it around and then discard it before filling with your tea and more boiling water.
If you're making green or white tea, you don't need to use water that's fully boiled. Combine 20% cold water with 80% boiling water for these teas.
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Warm the mug first
Warming your mug before brewing is an important step in making a cup of tea, Australian style. Warming your mug helps to keep your tea warm for longer. It also helps to prevent your mug from cooling your tea too quickly.
To warm your mug, simply add a splash of boiling water. Swill the water around the mug and then discard it. This will ensure your tea stays hot for longer and will also help to prevent the tea from cooling too quickly.
It is important to use fresh, cold water to brew your tea. Water that has been sitting in the kettle can become stagnant and will affect the oxygen levels and flavour of your tea. If you are using tap water, it is important to check if your region has hard water, as this can cause limescale build-up in your kettle over time.
Once you have warmed your mug and prepared your water, you can begin brewing your tea.
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Tea bag or loose leaf?
Tea bags and loose leaf tea are both popular choices in Australia. Tea bags are a convenient option for those who are short on time, while loose leaf tea offers a more ceremonial experience.
When using a tea bag, it is important to ensure that the bag is fully submerged in the water and has enough time to infuse. This can be achieved by using hot, fresh water and allowing the tea bag to steep for at least three minutes. Removing stagnant water from the kettle and using filtered water can also improve the quality of the tea.
Loose leaf tea typically requires the use of an infuser or a teapot. The general rule for measuring loose leaf tea is one teaspoon per 250 ml of water, or one scoop per cup and one for the pot. It is recommended to rotate the pot to make the leaves drop to the bottom and prevent them from ending up in your cup.
Both tea bags and loose leaf tea can deliver a flavourful and enjoyable cup of tea when prepared correctly. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference and the desired level of convenience.
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Milk before or after?
The debate over when to add milk—before or after—has divided tea drinkers for centuries. Some argue that adding milk to tea first prevents scalding and gives a better gauge of the tea's strength. However, others claim that adding milk after allows for better control over the flavour and prevents the hot tea from curdling the milk, which can change its flavour.
Historically, milk was poured into tea first to prevent delicate porcelain cups from cracking due to the heat. Today, this isn't as much of a concern, as cups and mugs are made from stronger materials.
Tea expert Sharyn Johnston, the founder of Australian Tea Masters, advises that milk should always be added last, regardless of whether a pot or tea bag is used. She argues that adding milk first cools the tea quickly and makes it difficult to determine the strength of the brew.
To allow the tea's full flavour to be extracted before being softened by the milk, it is generally recommended to steep the tea first and then add milk. This is especially important if you plan to add milk to black tea, as it should be brewed for the longest recommended time.
Ultimately, the decision of when to add milk comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer their tea without milk to fully appreciate its subtle flavours, while others find that milk enhances the depth and smoothness of the brew. Different types of milk can also significantly impact the flavour and texture of the tea.
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Add sweetener to taste
The next step in making an Australian cup of tea is to add a sweetener to taste. Sugar is the most common sweetener used, with 12% of Australians taking sugar in their tea. However, other sweeteners such as honey are also popular, with 5% of Australians opting for this option. If you prefer a sweeter tea, you can add an extra teaspoon of your chosen sweetener or experiment with different types of sweeteners to find the taste you like best.
It is worth noting that the type of tea and the addition of milk can also impact the sweetness of the tea. For example, black tea has a more intense flavour than green or white tea, so you may find that you prefer a sweeter brew to balance the bitterness. Similarly, milk can make tea taste sweeter, so you may need to adjust the amount of sweetener added accordingly.
When adding a sweetener to your tea, it is important to stir the tea well to ensure that the sweetener is fully dissolved and distributed throughout the cup. This will ensure that each sip of your tea has the desired level of sweetness.
Finally, don't be afraid to experiment and find the right balance of sweetness for your taste preferences. You may find that you prefer a stronger tea with more bitter notes, or you might like a milder, sweeter cup. Ultimately, the perfect cup of tea is the one that you enjoy drinking, so feel free to adjust the amount of sweetener to suit your palate.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to use cold, fresh, and if possible, filtered water. If filtered water is not available, most fresh, cold tap water in Australia is fine to use.
Let the tea infuse for at least 3 minutes, preferably 4. This allows the tea leaves in the bag to permeate their full flavour.
There are differing opinions on this. Some say that milk should be added after the tea has been infused, while others say that adding milk at the beginning generates a better flavour.
