Hot Tea Recipe

Heat water

Pour 300 ml fresh, cold water into a kettle or small saucepan. Bring water to a near boil (about 95–98°C / 203–208°F). If using a delicate tea, reduce heat to 85–90°C.

Pre-warm vessel

Pour a small amount of the hot water into your teapot or cup to warm it, swirl briefly, then discard the rinse water. This helps maintain brewing temperature.

Add tea

Place two leaves and a bud (the specified whole-leaf black tea) into the teapot or infuser inside your cup. If pieces are larger, ensure they have room to expand.

Brew

Pour the hot water (95–98°C) over the leaves to fill the teapot or cup (about 300 ml). Steep for 3–4 minutes for a balanced cup. For stronger flavor steep up to 5 minutes; for lighter flavor shorten to 2–3 minutes.

Strain

Remove the leaves with an infuser or pour the tea through a strainer into your serving cup so no leaves remain in the final cup.

Finish and season

Taste the tea. If desired, add up to 1 tsp sugar or honey and stir until dissolved. For a milk tea, add 30 ml warmed milk and stir. Alternatively, add a lemon wedge instead of milk if you prefer a citrus note (do not add lemon and milk together).

Serve

Serve immediately while hot. Enjoy plain to appreciate the two leaves and a bud, or adjust with sweetener or milk to your preference.

Use the kettle or saucepan to heat water. Use the teapot or infuser to hold the leaves while brewing. Use the strainer to catch loose leaves when pouring. Use the teaspoon to measure sweetener and to stir.